Safa Amiri

Background

About Safa Amiri

I’m currently a Senior Manager of Packaging Engineering at Novavax, where I lead drug product packaging and labeling initiatives as part of the DP MS & T Team. With a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering (and a minor in Applied Statistics), I combine process engineering, cross-functional leadership, and project management to ensure robust and compliant drug product manufacturing. From overseeing secondary packaging lines to coordinating global CMOs/CDMOs on artwork, labeling, and shipping validations, my main goal is to deliver scalable and cost-effective solutions that consistently meet cGMP standards. I’ve developed protocols for critical studies—like agitation, time out of refrigeration, and shipping—and serve as the subject matter expert for packaging qualifications, shipping validations, device control compliance, and labeling change controls. I love collaborating across Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing teams to ensure everything aligns with FDA, EMA, TGA, and WHO guidelines. Before Novavax, I led cross-functional projects in biopharma, desalination, and water treatment, earning recognitions like the $50K DOE Solar Desal Prize and being named a top 16 inventor for the Cade Prize in Florida (three years in a row!). Beyond my life in the pharmaceutical world, I’m also a musician and multi-instrumentalist who founded Safa Music Academy. Our mission is to provide aspiring musicians with the resources, mentoring, and stage opportunities they need to thrive—whether they want to become solo performers or successful music instructors. It’s a passion that reminds me every day how creativity and problem-solving can make a real impact, whether I’m fine-tuning a packaging process or crafting a new melody. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat about drug product manufacturing, tech transfer, packaging & labeling strategies, or even violin techniques—I’m always open to new connections and collaborations!