To kick off this very exciting new year, we interviewed one of our newest team members–meet Karolina Zarichna: Associate Director, Client Optimization; Regulatory Affairs Specialist.
Read on to read this insightful discussion about Karolina’ passions, background and thoughts–we’re really excited to have her join the team!
You've got a pretty impressive background in Regulatory Affairs and life sciences! What sparked your interest in this field?
K: Thank you! I initially embarked on my journey in science with the aspiration of becoming a pharmacist. Throughout my studies and early experiences, I was excited by the prospect of working in healthcare and making a direct impact on patients' lives. However, during a summer internship in retail pharmacy, I quickly realized that the day-to-day responsibilities of the role weren’t aligned with my long-term interests. While I gained valuable insights into the healthcare system, I found that the retail setting wasn’t the right fit for me.
Despite this realization, my passion for science remained strong. I knew I still wanted to pursue a career that allowed me to engage with research, innovation, and the scientific field, but in a different capacity.
That’s when I discovered Regulatory Affairs.
This field perfectly blends my love for science and research with my desire to help people in a meaningful way. Regulatory Affairs involves ensuring that products meet the necessary standards for safety and efficacy, and I found great fulfillment in contributing to this process.
We know you're a big believer in continuous learning. What's the latest skill or topic you’ve learned that you're excited about?
K: The most recent topic I’ve had the opportunity to dive into, and one that is directly relevant to my career, is Food Regulations in Canada, with a particular focus on Supplemented Foods. While I’ve already spent a significant amount of time working with food regulations, I felt the need to further explore this area to deepen my knowledge and refine my skills. Supplemented Foods is an increasingly important sector, and I wanted to build a more comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape surrounding them.
It has been an exciting opportunity to grow my expertise and further my ability to help brands successfully bring their products to market in Canada while meeting all necessary regulatory requirements.
With your diverse expertise in areas like food safety, cosmetics, and veterinary health products, do you have a personal favourite product category or niche that you find most exciting to work with?
K: I would say that my personal favourite product category is Natural Health Products (NHPs), primarily because it’s where I have the most experience and expertise. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape for NHPs, which makes it particularly exciting for me to work in this area. Within NHPs, I especially enjoy working with Class III applications. These applications are the most complex and challenging, but they are also the most rewarding.
What I find particularly exciting about Class III applications is the level of research and scientific analysis required. I love delving into research articles, clinical studies, and other scientific resources to compile a comprehensive application package. These products are often novel and require thorough evidence to support their safety, efficacy, and quality. This process of gathering and synthesizing data to create a solid regulatory submission is both intellectually stimulating and highly satisfying. While it’s a time-consuming and demanding process, the ability to help new, innovative products enter the Canadian market makes it all worth it.
Ultimately, the challenge of navigating the regulatory requirements for Class III NHPs, combined with the opportunity to contribute to the launch of unique and beneficial products, is what makes this area of work so exciting and fulfilling for me.
We heard you’ve got an eye for detail when it comes to both regulatory compliance and client service. What’s something small (but important) that most people overlook, but you always catch?
K: One small, yet crucial detail that I always catch is the tone of an email. Over the years, I’ve developed a keen sensitivity to not only the explicit content of messages but also the underlying tone and context—what's often left unsaid.
This ability to read between the lines has proven incredibly valuable, particularly when it comes to managing client expectations and identifying potential issues before they arise.
In regulatory compliance and client service, the way a message is framed can often signal concerns, urgency, or misunderstandings that may not be immediately apparent from the words alone. By paying close attention to these subtle cues, I’m able to address any potential issues early on, clarify misunderstandings, and ensure that both the client and I are aligned. It’s a small but vital detail that helps in building strong, positive relationships and in ensuring smooth, effective communication throughout the regulatory process.
As a personal and related rule, never underestimate how far kindness will take you.
Really love that last part 🙂
When you're not helping clients navigate the Canadian regulatory landscape, what’s your go-to way to unwind or spend time with family and friends? Any favorite hobbies or activities?
K: I’m very social and cherish spending quality time with my friends and family.
It doesn’t really matter what we’re doing—whether it’s enjoying a meal together, going for a walk, or even running errands—those moments are a great way for me to recharge and unwind. I value the connection and the shared experiences, no matter how simple they may seem. Being with loved ones brings a sense of balance and fulfillment that’s important for my well-being.
When I do have some time to myself, I have a few hobbies that help me relax and reconnect with my personal interests.
I love watching movies, especially those with exceptional cinematography. There’s something about the art of storytelling through visuals that really captivates me. I’m also an avid listener of vinyl records. The full-bodies sound of vinyl, combined with its nostalgic appeal, creates a relaxing atmosphere. Along with that, I enjoy reading non-fiction, as it gives me the opportunity to learn something new or gain fresh perspectives on various subjects.
If you could magically solve one of the biggest challenges facing the regulatory industry today, what would it be?
If I could magically solve one of the biggest challenges facing the regulatory industry today, I would combine all the legal documents and regulations into a single, unified resource. Regulatory professionals, myself included, often face the challenge of navigating multiple sets of rules, standards, and guidelines, which can be scattered across different documents and sources. It’s time-consuming and frustrating to constantly jump between different pieces of legislation and regulatory frameworks to ensure full compliance.
A comprehensive, all-in-one resource would streamline the process, making it easier to stay up-to-date and maintain a clear understanding of the rules. This would not only save time but also reduce the risk of oversight or errors that can occur when juggling various documents. By consolidating everything into a single, easily accessible reference, the entire regulatory process would become more efficient and manageable, allowing professionals to focus more on the practical application of regulations rather than getting lost in the complexity of legal language and documentation. It’s a simple change that could make a significant impact on the industry as a whole.
We are confident and eager to work with Karolina and know she is going to contribute significantly to our already remarkable and dynamic team; we all really look forward to working with her!
If you think you’re the right fit in team SNI, check out our career opportunities page.
