The Member Spotlight is an ongoing Q&A series focused on getting to know the CASSS community. Today’s spotlight shines on Susan Zavala, Coordinator of the Team of Biological Products at DIGEMID, PERU.
Susan became a CASSS Associate Director in 2023 and is a Committee Member for CMC Strategy Forum Latin America. Susan has attended and presented in CASSS meetings throughout the years, including CMC Latin America, CMC North America, and WCBP.
Q. What was your motivation to volunteer with CASSS?
The main motivation is that I greatly share the values of CASSS, one of my life purposes is to share knowledge about the regulation of biotherapeutics, and through volunteering, I can contribute with my experience in the community and make contacts around the world.
Q. What do you do to relax? Do you have any hobbies?
I really have many hobbies: I love dancing, running, exercising, and I do mindfulness to relax. I love traveling, cooking, reading books, teaching, and organizing meetings. Finally, I enjoy learning different topics related to personal development, health and well-being, and leadership.
Q. What's your favorite type of food or special dish you cook? Why?
My favorite type of food is Rocoto Relleno, a Peruvian dish popular in Arequipa and Cusco. I love it because it mixes sweet and spicy. The special dish I cook is arroz chaufa, because it is my 7-year-old daughter's favorite food.
Q. What is your favorite movie, tv show, music, or book?
My favorite personal development book is "How to Make Good Things Happen: Know Your Brain, Enhance Your Life" by Marian Rojas Estapé.
My favorite professional book is "The Challenge of CMC Regulatory Compliance for Biopharmaceuticals" by John Geigert.
Q. What famous person (dead or alive) would you choose to have dinner with? Why?
I would like to have dinner with Shakira because she is a fantastic singer, composer, and dancer. Also, she plays many instruments and speaks many languages. Additionally, she volunteers in humanitarian projects. Her life and achievements are very inspiring to me.
Q. What’s your favorite travel experience?
Anything that lets me learn about the culture and lifestyle of citizens of the country or city I visit.
My favorite travel experience was when I went to France, Spain, and Tenerife with my husband, daughter, and parents. We went to Parc Asterix, Eiffel Tower, Retiro park, and beaches. We also went to the wedding of friends in Tenerife, so it was a great experience for all my family.
Q. What would people be surprised to know about you?
I had many jobs before working as a chemist pharmacist and biochemist, just to mention I worked at McDonald's, Cracker Barrell, and the Hampton Hotel in Louisiana, at Angel Fire Resort and Friend's Restaurant in New Mexico, I also worked as an entertainer at child parties in Lima.
Q. How did you get inspired to go into science/biotech/pharma industry?
I have always been concerned about people's health, that inspired me to study pharmacy and biochemistry. I worked for about 4 years in the industry but then I started working in the biological team of the Peruvian health authority, and that gave me the opportunity to learn and continue updating my knowledge about biotherapeutics. This is a technology that is evolving very quickly and is giving the opportunity to treat diseases that previously had no cure, this inspires me to stay in this field.
Q. If you did anything other than your current occupation, what would it be?
I would work in psychology, working with kids and parents.