The Luminex team puts a lot of effort into ensuring that our products are effective for customers. One of the people keeping an eye on this is Joshua Oerbach, Quality Management Systems Manager at our Toronto site. He joined the company in 2005 after earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Ryerson University followed by a certificate in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs and quality operations from Seneca College.
Q: What are your responsibilities at Luminex?
A: I help create and improve processes within the quality management system that the corporation uses to make sure we produce safe and effective products and meet national and international regulations and guidelines.
Q: How did you get interested in this career path?
A: At Ryerson University, the bachelor’s program had a co-op program option. I participated in the program, which allowed me to work at different pharmaceutical companies and learn about various departments. I always gravitated to regulatory affairs and quality assurance. It’s great to have an impact on people’s lives by making sure you’re delivering the safest product and giving customers the best experience.
Q: What drew you to Luminex?
A: I had been working in the pharmaceutical industry through co-op and after graduation, and I saw an opportunity to learn more about medical devices. I saw the potential of being able to work in an industry where our products would help diagnose people. I was impressed by all the IVD tests and applications they offered.
Q: If you weren’t in quality management at Luminex, where would you be?
A: At the end of high school, I contemplated becoming an electrician. I had taken some courses, and I was able to work alongside an electrician as a summer job and really liked the electrical work.
Q: If you could solve any clinical or genetic challenge, what would it be?
A: If there were a magic wand to solve all types of cancers, that would be wonderful. I’ve lost too many grandparents to various forms of cancer.
Q: What is something about you that no one at Luminex knows?
A: I have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but I am not negatively impacted by it. Over the years, I have learned many strategies to cope and overcome traditional symptoms. I actually have turned the symptoms into strengths. I do not take medication to control symptoms — in fact, I think of it is as an advantage for me in my line of work because I have boundless energy and am able to think of multiple ideas simultaneously to solve problems. I regularly participate as a guest speaker for a parenting group in Toronto on the topic of children and ADHD, where parents who have children with ADHD can ask me questions so they can better understand what their kids are going through.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Toronto on the weekend?
A: What I like to do with my kids and my wife is to explore different restaurants. Toronto has very eclectic regions of the city with many different ethnic foods, so we try to immerse ourselves in different cuisines and all the great places that Toronto has to offer.
