Emily Simard is a Mechanical Engineer at CRB Group, Inc. CRB is a leading design and consulting firm that helps life sciences companies bring advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies to market. In her role, she support the mechanical engineering effort on GMP‑compliant facility design projects, helping develop the systems that keep manufacturing environments controlled, efficient, and ready for production. Although she’s early in her career, she’s already had the chance to work with an incredibly talented team on the design of cutting‑edge pharmaceutical facilities. She’s always been passionate about the intersection of engineering and medicine, and CRB has been an ideal place to explore that. Their focus on sustainability, innovation, and creating facilities that help bring life‑changing therapies to patients allows her to contribute to meaningful work while continuing to grow as an engineer.
1) What did you want to be when you grow up? How’d you get from there to here?
Truthfully, in my childhood I wanted to be a fashion designer until pragmatism won out, and I pursued STEM instead. With an affinity for math and a background in competitive gymnastics, I wanted to be part of the solutions combining human health and science. Now, as I forge my career in the pharma space, I use fashion to express myself creatively in the workplace.
2) How are you helping to build a more connected community?
In my short time in the industry, I’ve made strong efforts to get involved in the biopharma community. Joining my local chapter of ISPE, attending industry events, and working with vendors has given me insight into all the moving parts of the drug production process. I believe that it’s takes a village, but to have a village you must be a villager. Community is in every genuine conversation and new idea shared; just one of the reasons I’m so excited to be a part of the BioBuzz scene.
3) What are currently buzzing about? Anything and everything…
• Spray drying and tablet coating for oral solid dosage manufacturing.
• Calisthenics and yoga.
• Women In Pharma ISPE.
• Renting my first apartment.
• Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC) manufacturing.
• Historical and cozy vibes of Old City Philadelphia.
4) If you could travel back in time – what early career advice would you give yourself?
Advice I’d share with other young professionals is – make choices that give you more choices. Don’t pigeon hole yourself. And a personal mantra of mine… if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. Don’t be afraid to seek out challenges!
5) The fun (and rotating) one… What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
I’d consider myself a very adventurous person with highlights including sky diving, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls bridge in Zambia, and playing Family Feud with Steve Harvey on TV!
