The Member Spotlight is an ongoing Q&A series focused on getting to know the CASSS community. Today’s spotlight shines on Kavita Aiyer, Head of Biologics/Vaccines, Regulatory Affairs CMC- Innovative Medicines at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Kavita has participated in many CASSS Committees and has volunteered and presented at many CASSS meetings throughout the years, including CMC Strategy Forum Europe, CMC Strategy Forum Latin America, CMC Strategy Forum North America, and WCBP. Kavita became a CASSS Associate Director in 2022.
Q. What was your motivation to volunteer with CASSS?
My first experience with CASSS was as an invited speaker on Post-Approval Changes—a moment that sparked my realization that this was the kind of scientific community I wanted to be part of. Since then, there has been no looking back. CASSS enables me to advance patient impact by shaping regulatory frameworks through collaboration rather than in isolation. I continuously expand my knowledge through CASSS by engaging in discussions, debates, and learning about innovative approaches shared at its conferences. Volunteering for roles such as leading workshops or facilitating roundtables has stretched my capabilities and exposed me to new topics. Most importantly, CASSS has helped me build and strengthen a global professional network that bridges academia, industry, and health authorities—uniting scientific potential to better serve patients.
Q. What do you do to relax? Do you have any hobbies?
Being an extrovert and nature enthusiast, I enjoy nature related activities, socializing, music and dancing.
Q. What's your favorite type of food or special dish you cook? Why?
Culturally, cooking is a significant part of my identity, and I carry a reputation of being a good cook. In addition to cooking varied cuisine from all over India (distinctly different for each state), I enjoy cooking international cuisine like Italian, Thai, Chinese, Korean, etc. I am known for baking "yummy" cheesecakes and desserts.
Q. What is your favorite movie, tv show, music, or book?
In general, I like comedy and science fiction. I stay away from heavy thrillers.
a) TV Shows- K and C dramas (I can pull all-nighters without a wink), Grey's Anatomy
b) Movies- Several.... hard to pick, Bollywood all-time fav DDLJ starred by my Fav star Shah Rukh Khan.
c) Music- Favorite song is What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction, Music is any classic Desi Bollywood movie songs and Indian classical- Carnatic music.
d) Book- hard to pick one, have many that I like. Some books that left an impression are The Ride of a Lifetime - Disney CEO Bob Iger's biography, and Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Q. What famous person (dead or alive) would you choose to have dinner with? Why?
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam- an Aerospace scientist. His humble background, tenacity, commitment to science, strategic visions, and "everything is possible" attitude have been a beacon of light for me. His words, "dream transform into thought and thoughts create action," inspire me a lot, which in my mind translates to- "ATTITUDE, ACTION, ACCOMPLISH" in all walks of life.
Q. What’s your favorite travel experience?
Being a travel enthusiast every place I visit offers unique experience. Two trips that still stand out to me is Ireland and Himalayas base. In Ireland, it was enigmatic to experience salty water, lush green grassland, and mountains in one place next to each other topped with warmth of the locals. Trekking in the base of the Himalayas, just the stunning beauty of nature in its native form was compelling and felt peaceful.
Q. What would people be surprised to know about you?
I have an invisible introvert side. Hard to believe, isn't it?
I was an athlete in college and won the 12th-grade sports championship.
Placed first in Modeling in college.
I speak 7 Indian languages and working on Korean.
Q. How did you get inspired to go into science/biotech/pharma industry?
Since early childhood, I had a natural inclination towards biology in particular, which was further cemented by excellent teachers through the formative high school years. However, there was a pivot point in my academic direction when I could not pursue my childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor, so I pursued the paramedical field through graduate school and stayed true to my dream of serving patients by pursuing a career in the biotech/pharma industry. I am fortunate to live my dream every single day.
Q. If you did anything other than your current occupation, what would it be?
PILOT......speeding across the sky with no Cops to give a ticket or an ASTRONAUT.