PDA West Coast Chapter
Chapter's Region:
California (Northern) / Nevada
PDA West Coast Chapter Mission
The PDA West Coast Chapter (PDA WCC) plays a vital role as the premier organization for the San Francisco Bay Area's biopharma industry professionals. The PDA WCC was founded 35 years ago in 1989, with its mission of connecting people, science, and regulation. We strive to promote and enhance knowledge within the sciences and technologies, develop programs and other activities designed to meet local and/or global needs consistent with PDA's mission and objectives.
Please welcome the following new and returning officers:
President: Stephanie Lee
President-Elect: Yashu Sarna
Secretary: Kate Nelson
Treasurer: Sumin Dong
Members-at-Large: Autumn Lee, Fabio
De Martino, Nikoo Arasteh, Ming Lei, Nick Kapp, Liraz Oechsli, and Vamshi Gangupomu.
This active group of volunteers will:
- Produce engaging chapter activities and networking events for you
- Promote the development of our members
- Present opportunities to share technical resources
- and generate opportunities to collaborate with regulatory agencies
WCC PDA is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization run by volunteers, and without sponsorship, we would not be able to provide valuable educational and social networking events to our membership. As PDA members, you can connect the chapter with companies that would like to become WCC PDA Sponsors, a unique opportunity for vendor/service companies to strengthen their brand image, increase their visibility, and gain access to leaders of the San Francisco Bay Life-Science Community.
Our 2024 Event CalendarMember at Large
- Autumn Lee, Critical Mass Consulting
- Fabio De Martino, Kite Pharma
- Liraz Oechsli, Microrite
- Nick Kapp, Skyline College
- Nikoo Arasteh, Napo Pharmaceuticals
- Ming Lei, Gilead
- Vamshi Gangupomu, Bristol Myer Squibb
Industry Advisors
- Valerie Brown, Gilead Sciences
- Ashley Hesslein, Bayer, AG
- Diane Hagerty, Pharma/Biotech Quality Executive, Consultant
- Daniel Kelati, Genentech, Inc.
- Andrea Liess Karlsson, Boehringer Ingelheim
- Carolina Valoyes, Bionova Scientific, LLC
Chapter Events
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30 Jan
PDA West Coast Chapter: 10th Annual Women in Life Sciences - Empowerment & Resilience
- 30 Jan 2025
- San Francisco
- , CA
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20 Mar
PDA West Coast Chapter: Artificial Intelligence in Biopharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing
- 20 Mar - 21 Mar 2025
- Las Vegas
- , NV
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1 May
PDA West Coast Chapter: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing - Towards a Sustainable Future
- 01 May - 01 May 2025
- Foster City
- , CA
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5 Jun
PDA West Coast Chapter: 6th Annual Cell & Gene Therapy Panel
- 05 Jun - 05 Jun 2025
- San Bruno
- , CA
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18 Sep
PDA West Coast Chapter: Oktoberfest Networking & Vendor Night
- 18 Sep - 18 Sep 2025
- TBD
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7 Nov
PDA West Coast Chapter: Quality Ball
- 07 Nov 2025
- San Francisco
- , CA
Sponsors
The PDA West Coast Chapter has been in existence for over 35 years! During this time we have seen our Chapter grow in membership and participation.
Without our volunteers, members and sponsors, we would not be able to provide valuable educational and social networking events to our membership.
Consider participating in our Sponsorship Program, Annual or Single event packages, a unique opportunity to strengthen your brand image, increase your visibility, and gain.
Contact UsWCC PDA Statement On Inclusions And Diversity
Learn MoreGet Involved
We encourage you to become involved in our chapter by attending the PDA West Coast Chapter Board / Volunteer Monthly Meetings. We have an active group of volunteers that make great chapter activities happen. We encourage you to become involved in our chapter by attending our Board / Volunteer Monthly Meetings meetings as well as our events (see schedule listed under the Chapter Events calendar).
At these Monthly Board/Volunteer meetings, we determine our meeting themes, discuss/approve speakers, arrange resources, review volunteer opportunities, and guide the organization to meet member and sponsor needs. These meetings are generally held from 5 to 6 p.m. PST on the third Tuesday* of every month.
*Please note, individual meetings may be moved due to scheduling conflicts, holidays, etc.
Please contact Stephanie Lee (Chapter President) or any of the Officers/Board Members for more information about Chapter Board / Planning Meetings, and volunteer opportunities. For more information and to stay tuned with the PDA West Coast Chapter, follow us on LinkedIn
Podcast
More information coming soon.
Student Chapter
San Francisco Bay Area
What's in your future? Maybe you've already mapped out your career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, or maybe you are just getting started. Either way, joining a professional Society like PDA is a great way to help you realize your career goals.
When it comes to landing a job, it's often about "who you know". Your PDA Student Membership will give you the leading edge in a competitive market by allowing you access to an extensive network of potential employers.
Each PDA Student Chapter is sponsored by the local PDA Chapter, which provides valuable support in the form of Industry and Faculty Advisors to mentor students.
If you are thinking about becoming a PDA Student Member, your local PDA Chapter is a great place to start. Local PDA Chapter members can answer your questions about PDA membership and give you first-hand information about the benefits. Contact today your local PDA Chapter at rsvp@wccpda.org.
Stay tuned to upcoming events by following us on LinkedIn
Chapter Officers
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Kate Nelson
Former Vice President, CMC Development
Secretary
Sumitomo Pharma America
Kate Nelson is a pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality executive with 20 years of experience in the biopharma and medical device industries. She has worked in both small clinical stage biopharmas and large multinationals with multiple commercial products including Sumitomo Pharma America, Allakos, Dermira/Eli Lilly, Genentech, AstraZeneca, and Medtronic. Kate has led organizations in Quality and in Manufacturing for small molecules, monoclonal antibodies and for gene therapies. She holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Mount Holyoke College and a M.S. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. -
Presentations & Resources
- CMO Managment in a Virtual Environment
- Contamination Control Basics Risk and Resolution
- Roche Quality Metric Position
- Combination Product Development - Pre-Filled Syringe and Injection Devices
- ICH Quality Guideline Q11
- The Advantages and Challenges of Operating a GMP Facility Based on Single-Use Equipment
- Paticulate Matter - USP Requirements and Particle Identification
- Integration of Risk Management into Product Strategy and Portfolio
- Leadership - Engagement to Results
- Can Quality Solve the Equation - The New Role of Quality
- The Role and Duties of the EU Qualified Person
- A Novel Bacterial Contamination in Cell Culture Manufacturing
- Novartis Quality Metrics, Current Experiences and Considerations
- Post Approval Changes and Product Lifecycle Management
- Establishing a Data Integrity Assurance Program
- Regulatory Intelligence 101
- Approval of a Greenfield Biologics DS Site in Asia
- ICH Quality Guideline Q10
- Fundamentals of Environmental Monitoring
- Why Drugs Cost So Much
- PDA BioMarin Gene Therapy Facility
- PDAs Quality Metrics Activities and Plans
Chapter Resources
Discover essential materials such as the chapter handbook, templates, presentations, and insightful videos tailored for new chapter leaders and the GPS network.
Access Resources