Fantine Moreta

Interview by Visual Collaborative
September 2020 3 min read

Fantine Moreta from São Paulo is a pharmacist based in the Washington D.C and Virginia areas. She started a clinical research career in her native Brazil, occupying different private sector positions related to pharmaceutical and biological product development. As a feature in our SOURCE interview series, Fantine talks to us about her work with big to small pharma, biotechs clinical research, and her passion.

(VC) What music are you streaming or listening to at the moment?

(Fantine) I enjoy a variety of music styles. In my Spotify: Spanish Music (such as Paco de Lucia), I am listening to the 80s, a mix of rock and current pop music.

(VC) You have about two decades of experience in research and the medical field. What are your general thoughts on the clinical trials, and the search for an adequate coronavirus vaccine for the mass population?

(Fantine) Medical advances should continue, and clinical trials are vital to maintaining new therapies and alternative treatments available to the population. Throughout my clinical research career, I have never experienced such a massive increase in the number of clinical trials being done to search for different types of vaccines and new therapies to treat infected patients. Indeed one year to have a safe and effective vaccine distributed to the population is not enough time. However, due to the current pandemic scenario, COVID is a high priority in all pharma/biotech companies, hospitals, and clinics (globally). I believe that one to two vaccines will be available either end of the 1st quarter or the beginning of the 2nd.

(VC) You were an attendee at our Visual Grandeur exhibition in Washington D.C back in 2011. Do you have any connection to the arts or you generally support creative professionals?

(Fantine) I love art in general. I see a great connection between art and science as both require the stimulation of creativity, which moves us out of our comfort zone.

(VC) For the layman who does not know what biotech is, how can you explain it in the context of your work?

(Fantine) The name biotech comes because various companies work with products that are biological material derivatives (i.e., plasma derivatives) and not the so well known pharmaceutical compounds (i.e., active compounds inside of Tylenol).

(VC) What does self-awareness mean to you and how does it mold the service and work you do?

(Fantine) The first word that comes to my mind when I think of self-awareness is respect to oneself and to others (which happens almost automatically when we respect ourselves). All my relationships (personal and professional) improve almost immediately when I become more self-aware of my surroundings and the people I interact on a daily basis.

(VC) Outside of the obvious Covid-19 social distancing realities, considering your current commitments, if you could work alongside any notable personality or creative enterprise. Who would it be, and why?

(Fantine) If I could go back in time, I would include the sculpture and architect Gaudi from Spain and Frida Kahlo. To me, their art brings together a mix of contentment and sadness feeling.

(VC) Does your current work or in pharma align with any Sustainable Development Goals?

(Fantine) I am definitely actively engaged in goals 3 to 6 – however, if I can get actively involved in any of the other ones I will [Fantine smiles].

(VC) Fantine, thanks very much for your time. Is there anything you would like to share with the Visual Collaborative audience?

(Fantine) I am happy to have the opportunity to share some of my experience with a different type of public other than the medical and scientific communities.