The Member Spotlight Q&A is part of an ongoing CASSS series, in which we invite members to meet other members of the CASSS Community.
The Member Spotlight is an ongoing Q&A series focused on getting to know the CASSS community. Today’s spotlight shines on Tiziana Pacchiarotta, Senior Scientist at Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
Q. What was your motivation to volunteer with CASSS?
I have no doubts about this: Open horizons and building bridges between disciplines.
I joined the CASSS community when I was moving my first steps in the industry environment after my academic degree. The transition between the two worlds was both exciting but frightening at the same time; I was not sure how to best use my academic knowledge in the pharma context. When I started sharing my experience with young scientists and freshly awarded PhD, I realized that I was not alone in this. I appreciate the unique opportunities that CASSS is offering in closing these gaps.
Q. What do you do to relax? Do you have any hobbies?
Relaxing is not something that I do very often but in my spare time I love sporting, reading, cooking but above all I love to be surrounded by friends and family. The doors of my house are always open for a last-minute dinner.
Q. What's your favorite type of food or special dish you cook? Why?
I enjoy cooking a lot. With a glass of wine and some music, I can spend hours in the kitchen. Yet, baking is by far my election. The smell of freshly baked bread at the somebody’s doorstep is the smell of happiness!
Q. What is your favorite movie, tv show, music or book?
I like to explore a bit of everything, and I can jump from rock to salsa and from contemporary fiction to literary essays. However, anything that makes me dance and laugh is always welcome.
Q. What famous person (dead or alive) would you choose to have dinner with? Why?
Marie Curie, a fine brain combined with a massive dose of courage and unconventionality.
Q. What’s your favorite travel experience?
Anywhere with a prominent nature but also history and culture.
Q. What would people be surprised to know about you?
My dream in the drawer is opening a bakery with a chemistry lab in the back shop…my two passions coming together.
Q. How did you get inspired to go into science/biotech/pharma industry?
At high school, as soon I understood how science can transform our lives.
Q. If you did anything other than your current occupation, what would it be?
An architect or a baker.