Executive Leadership
Assad J. Kazeminy, Ph.D., Chairman & Founder
Dr. Kazeminy has more than 30 years of research experience in analytical chemistry and biochemistry and has been involved in teaching and management of analytical and quality control laboratories in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Dr. Kazeminy has a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science and Biochemistry and has completed a post doctorate at the USC Medical School, Department of Pharmacology. In addition, Dr. Kazeminy has taught at USC and conducted research at the University of California, Irvine. He has extensive and proficient knowledge of FDA regulations and various compendia methodologies.
Dr. Kazeminy is active in national and local organizations and has held various leadership roles, including serving as an Expert Committee Member to the United States Pharmacopeia; a prominent member of the University of Irvine Chief Executive Roundtable; the Chairperson of the FDA Grass Roots, Pacific Region Importing Community Steering Committee; the President of AOAC, International Southern California Section; the Executive Chairperson of the Southern California Pharmaceutical Discussion Group; the President of ACS, Southern California Section; the Chairperson of the Pharmaceutical section of ACIL; the President of ASIPS; and a Board Member of the Analytical Accreditation of AIHA. He has made many contributions towards advancing the pharmaceutical sciences, and his efforts have been influential in shaping and reforming current industry standards (most recently, USP Heavy Metals).
- Dr. Kazeminy on Linkedin
- Dr. Assad J. Kazeminy on ASIPS
- Profile on UCI School of Physical Sciences
- Dr. Kazeminy on Bloomberg
Ashot Petrossian, Ph.D., Vice President, Process Development & Production
Dr. Petrossian has close to 25 years experience in the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in the various areas of product and process development for proteins, peptides and large molecules. Dr. Petrossian’s core expertise is large scale GMP cell and microbial culture fermentation using production scale bioreactors, purification unit operations using tangential flow and large scale chromatography systems and final product presentation. Dr. Petrossian has expertise with the conceptual design and construction of GMP facilities for the production of biopharmaceuticals and all aspects of facility, equipment, process, cleaning and analytical methods validation. Dr. Petrossian held positions in operations and compliance at numerous biopharmaceutical and consulting companies including Porton International,Monsanto (InVitron), Techniclone, Xoma, Kodak (Sterling Drug), cGMP Validation, Washington Group (Raytheon). Dr. Petrossian is also the founder of GXP Consultants Alliance, a Bio-Pharmaceutical Product Development Consulting firm with expertise in Process, Facility Construction, Compliance and Validation, Regulatory Submissions and Clinical Development. Dr. Petrossian earned a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from Cornell and a Ph.D. degree in Biophysics from University of California at Berkeley.
Aryo A. Nikopour, Vice President of Scientific and Technical Services
Mr. Nikopour has more than 20 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry with expertise in the areas of chromatographic method development and validation, management of scientific staff and implementation of new technologies and capabilities. In addition, Aryo has experience in quality control, stability testing and regulatory requirements. Prior to joining Irvine in 2004, Aryo worked at PPD, Alpharma (Actavis), Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Solvay Animal Health. Aryo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern Minnesota.
Eduardo A. Uribe, Senior Director of Quality Operations
Mr. Uribe has over 20 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Prior to joining Irvine Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. his experience included virology and forensic toxicology contract labs, bacterial and viral commercial vaccines, sterile injectable pharmaceuticals and fill/finish operations. He has a comprehensive understanding of cGMP regulations, ISO and EU guidelines and has held positions at SmithKline Beecham, Merck & Co. and SkyePharma, Inc. Eduardo earned a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Chemistry.
Yasamin Ameri, Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs
Ms. Ameri has over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical quality assurance and regulatory affairs. She has extensive experience in supporting fill and finish operations with responsibilities ranging from the establishment of quality systems to the release of finished drug products. Prior to joining Avrio, Ameri provided quality assurance and regulatory affairs support to a various range of pharmaceutical and biotech companies in her role as a principal consultant for Quest International Consulting. Ms. Ameri has held several QA/RA management positions with multiple pharmaceutical and biotech companies including Avid Bioservices, InterTech International Pharmaceuticals and In Vitro International.
Ms. Ameri holds a Master’s Degree in organic chemistry and she is a registered lead auditor for Quality Management Systems through the Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB), American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the International Register of Certified Auditors (IRCA). In addition, Yasamin has a Regulatory Affairs Certification for European Union (EU) requirements with the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPs).
Ms. Ameri has been an instructor at the University of California, Irvine since 2006, teaching classes in pharmaceutical product development, regulatory compliance and quality assurance, and regulatory submission.