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 Shelley Suggett, Executive Director of Regulatory CMC at NGM Biopharmaceuticals.
Q. What was your motivation to volunteer with CASSS?
I joined CASSS early in my regulatory career. I had just come from the research lab and I found that the CASSS meetings, members, and connections were invaluable to my regulatory career development.
Q. What do you do to relax? Do you have any hobbies?
I live near Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach in San Francisco. You can often find me walking my dogs or riding my bike in my neighborhood.
Q. What's your favorite type of food or special dish you cook? Why?
This is a tough one. I love to cook, and try new things. I'm so lucky to live in the Bay Area and have so many cuisines to choose from. Right now, the Burmese Tea Leaf salad is what I am trying to perfect at home, and I keep visiting Burmese restaurants to figure out the right balance of flavors, spices, and textures.
Q. What is your favorite movie, tv show, music or book?
I grew up watching movies with my dad, so "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' will always be a favorite. I also really like Joe Wright's adaptation of a great book, Pride and Prejudice. It's such a great story of an intelligent woman committed to her sense of self while trapped in a society bound by rules intended to keep women "in their place".
Q. What famous person (dead or alive) would you choose to have dinner with? Why?
George Washington Carver. He was a scientist and also was interested in the arts. His accomplishments, the challenges he overcame...his life is absolutely fascinating.
Q. What’s your favorite travel experience?
I dove with a large "shiver" of whale sharks and watched the Albatross "fencing" (the courtship dance) in the Galapagos.
Q. What would people be surprised to know about you?
I love to work on BIG ART and learn new skills. This summer, I worked on a project designed by Mark Deem for Mistfittoys.art (yes, I admit to being a Misfit, lol). I learned how to use a biscuit joiner and a chop saw! The art is designed to help people rediscover their inner kid-at-heart. Right now, these giant kids blocks ("Remember When...") are installed for 6-months in Golden Gate Park as a part of "The Golden Mile". The art piece is interactive and it brings me a lot of joy to watch people of all ages playing with, on, and around the blocks.
Q. How did you get inspired to go into science/biotech/pharma industry?
I was on track for med school or vet school when I had the opportunity to study abroad in Uppsala, Sweden. They put us on research projects and I fell in love with discovery science. That led to re-evaluating whether I wanted to help people by applying the science others made possible, or to help people by being part of drug discovery and development. It was a win-win either way.
Q. If you did anything other than your current occupation, what would it be?
I'm always open to new opportunities to grow. My career has never been linear, it has always been about taking chances when "opportunity knocks".