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The pandemic has focused the world’s attention on the pharmaceutical industry, making both the challenges and benefits of developing new drugs much more widely recognized.
It’s a challenge that Steve Lam lives every day.
As director of process development and manufacturing for a Boston-area pharmaceutical company, he’s in charge of establishing processes for mass manufacturing of new drugs.
“I work with a number of team members to make sure we can manufacture a clean drug that will help patients on time,” he says.
The 2010 chemical engineering grad says he expected to work in the oil and gas industry but loves the fact that he’s landed in a career that really helps people.
“I’m proud of the fact that I’ve worked on a number of drugs that have saved lives and improved quality of life for patients,” he says. “One of the drugs I worked on – Yervoy – won the Nobel prize.”
After launching his career working at McMaster with the Bioseparation Engineering Research Group, Lam moved to Burlington-based Natrix Separations to work on laboratory and chemical processes.
In 2013, he made the move to Massachusetts, to work with Bristol-Myers Squibb. He spent about six years in increasingly senior scientist roles before shifting into process development with Rentschler Biospharma. Earlier this year he moved to Leap Therapeutics.
“To this day, I am always learning new things, and the science in pharmaceutical always keeps me on my toes,” he says.
He urges students to work hard on the basics, avoid shortcuts and to keep seeking new career opportunities.
“Time and time again, you will be challenged and want to give up or you will be placed in situations where you are comfortable and complacent, but do not give up,” he says.
Know a great McMaster Engineering alumnus or alumna who deserves to be in the spotlight? We’d love to hear from you. Send your nominations for our McMaster Engineering Alumni Spotlight series today.
May 25, 2023
|Daily News
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|Brighter World