Arpy Ohanian
About Arpy Ohanian
Arpy Ohanian is a Principal Process Engineer at Kite Pharma, Inc., with extensive experience in cell therapy GMP manufacturing. He has held various research and engineering roles at notable institutions, including Fred Hutch and Seattle Children's, and has a strong educational background in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.
Work at Kite Pharma
Arpy Ohanian has been employed at Kite Pharma, Inc. as a Principal Process Engineer since 2018. In this role, Ohanian manages the Process Engineer group, emphasizing operational excellence and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The focus of this position involves overseeing the development and implementation of processes that ensure the quality and efficiency of cell therapy manufacturing.
Education and Expertise
Ohanian holds a Master's degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Simon Fraser University, where he studied from 2002 to 2004. He also earned a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Washington, studying from 1998 to 2002. Additionally, Ohanian pursued studies in Biotechnology at UC San Diego from 2009 to 2010. His educational background supports his extensive expertise in cell therapy manufacturing and process design.
Background
Ohanian's professional journey includes various roles in esteemed institutions. He started as an Undergraduate Research Intern at Fred Hutch from 2000 to 2002, followed by a position as a Howard Hughes Medical Research Intern at the University of Washington in 2001. He later worked at Seattle Children's as a Research Scientist II from 2006 to 2010. His experience spans over 8 years in cell therapy GMP manufacturing, focusing on T-cells and hematopoietic stem cells.
Achievements in Cell Therapy Manufacturing
Ohanian is recognized for his significant contributions to cell therapy manufacturing, particularly in translating knowledge into production batch records. His roles at Fred Hutch included Cell Production Associate, Cell Production Associate II, and GMP Manufacturing and Process Transfer Specialist, where he developed a strong background in planning and process design. His commitment to continuous improvement in manufacturing processes has been a hallmark of his career.
Professional Experience at Fred Hutch
Ohanian has accumulated extensive experience at Fred Hutch, where he worked in various capacities from 2000 to 2018. His positions included Research Technician, Cell Production Associate, Senior Process Engineer, and GMP Manufacturing and Process Transfer Specialist. This diverse experience has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of cell therapy processes and operational excellence.