The Member Spotlight is an ongoing Q&A series focused on getting to know the CASSS community. Today’s spotlight shines on Cinthia Noemi Torres Huari, Coordinator of Regulatory Procedures for Biological Products, DIGEMID, Ministry of Health, Perú.
Cinthia is a Committee Member for CMC Strategy Forum Latin America.
Q. What was your motivation to volunteer with CASSS?
My motivation to volunteer with CASSS is to support continuous improvement in regulatory processes and contribute to capacity building in biological product evaluation. Volunteering allows me to share my experience from Latin America while learning from global perspectives to advance regulatory science and improve patient access to safe and effective biotherapeutics.
Q. What do you do to relax? Do you have any hobbies?
To relax, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I like serving at my local church, as it helps me live my values, maintain balance, and strengthen my communion with God, which gives me clarity and resilience to face professional challenges.
Q. What's your favorite type of food or special dish you cook? Why?
My favorite dishes are ceviche and lomo saltado. They are icons of Peruvian cuisine, with fresh and unique flavors that reflect the cultural richness of my country and that I enjoy sharing with my family and friends.
Q. What is your favorite movie, tv show, music, or book?
I enjoy listening to Latin American music, and I appreciate books that inspire me to grow personally and spiritually.
Q. What famous person (dead or alive) would you choose to have dinner with? Why?
I would like to have dinner with Francis Collins. As the leader of the Human Genome Project and a respected scientist with strong values, he inspires me by showing that science and faith can work together to improve people’s lives.
Q. What’s your favorite travel experience?
My most recent travel experience was an internship at the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS), where I deepened my knowledge in biological product regulation, exchanged knowledge with European colleagues, and strengthened my skills in registration and post-approval change processes. This experience also gave me the opportunity to visit Spain, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, enriching my perspective with a multicultural vision.
Q. What would people be surprised to know about you?
People would be surprised to know that I enjoy organizing social events. This activity allows me to create meaningful experiences while strengthening my organizational, communication, and leadership skills beyond my professional role.
Q. How did you get inspired to go into science/biotech/pharma industry?
I was inspired to enter science and the pharmaceutical industry by my interest in people’s health and in how innovation can improve quality of life. My background in pharmacy, biochemistry, and industrial engineering gave me a strong foundation in both scientific knowledge and process optimization, which led me to specialize in biological products to help ensure that safe and effective therapies reach patients, while contributing to my country through public service.
Q. If you did anything other than your current occupation, what would it be?
If I did anything other than my current occupation, I would like to be a teacher in a remote town in my country, helping to bring education and opportunities to children who need it most. I would find true fulfillment in seeing their smiles and in witnessing their progress and personal growth.