Features

02.02.2026

Employee Spotlight! CAMRIS Control Manager Dalia Garraway-Boney

We recently spoke with Dalia Garraway-Boney, CAMRIS Quality Control Manager, about her work supporting the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research’s Pilot Bioproduction Facility in Silver Spring, MD. In this interview, Dalia discusses her role and how the Pilot Bioproduction Facility advances military medicine, what sparked her interest in quality control and manufacturing, and more.

 

CAMRIS: Please describe your role at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) Pilot Bioproduction Facility (PBF) and how PBF advances military medicine.

Dalia: In my role at PBF, I support the development and testing of early-phase vaccine products by ensuring that quality control activities are executed with scientific rigor and in compliance with applicable regulatory and GMP expectations. This includes overseeing testing strategies, reviewing and interpreting data, supporting assay development or qualification, and working closely with development, manufacturing, and quality teams to address issues as they arise. My role helps ensure that the data generated is reliable, traceable, and suitable to support clinical decision-making.

PBF advances military medicine by enabling the rapid development and evaluation of vaccine candidates and biologics that address current and emerging threats to service members. By focusing on early-stage development and translational science, PBF helps bridge the gap between research and clinical application, ensuring that promising medical countermeasures can move efficiently and safely into human trials.

This work directly supports force readiness and global health security by strengthening the military’s ability to prevent and respond to infectious diseases through high-quality, science-driven vaccine development.

CAMRIS: What drove your career interest in quality control and biomanufacturing?

Dalia: My interest in quality control (QC) in biomanufacturing was driven by the responsibility it carries in protecting patient safety. I’m motivated by work where precision, compliance, and scientific rigor directly impact real outcomes, and QC sits at the center of that.

I’m especially drawn to the investigative and problem-solving aspects, interpreting data, identifying deviations, and ensuring processes consistently meet regulatory standards. Biomanufacturing also appeals to me because it combines science with structured systems like GMPs, documentation, and continuous improvement.

Ultimately, knowing that my attention to detail helps ensure safe, effective biologic products reach patients is what solidified my interest in this field

CAMRIS: What motivates you most about contributing to vaccine research and development at PBF?

Dalia: What motivates me most about contributing to vaccine research and development at PBF is the opportunity to work on products that have a direct and meaningful impact on public health. Vaccines are among the most effective tools for preventing disease, and being part of an organization focused on advancing that science is deeply motivating to me.

CAMRIS: PBF works on Phase I/II vaccine products. What unique challenges come with supporting early-stage development?

Dalia: Supporting Phase 1/2 vaccine products comes with unique challenges because processes, assays, and specifications are still being developed and refined. Unlike late-stage or commercial manufacturing, there is often limited historical data, which requires flexibility, strong scientific judgment, and close collaboration across development, manufacturing, and quality teams.

Another challenge is balancing speed with rigor. Early-stage programs move quickly to meet clinical timelines, but quality, safety, and regulatory compliance cannot be compromised. This means managing evolving protocols, handling deviations thoughtfully, and ensuring documentation remains robust even as processes change.

There’s also increased uncertainty—whether related to scale-up, assay performance, or clinical outcomes—which requires proactive risk assessment and a problem-solving mindset. What excites me about this environment is the opportunity to contribute to scientific research, help build strong foundations for later-stage development, and support informed decision-making early in the product lifecycle.

CAMRIS: What’s the most rewarding or challenging part of overseeing testing for early-phase vaccine products?

Dalia: The most challenging part of overseeing testing for early-phase vaccine products is managing uncertainty. Assays are often still being developed or qualified, acceptance criteria may evolve, and there’s limited historical data to rely on. This requires careful scientific judgment, close monitoring of trends, and frequent collaboration with development and manufacturing teams to ensure data is reliable and fit for purpose.

At the same time, that challenge is also the most rewarding part. Being involved at such an early stage means the testing strategy you help shape can directly influence process understanding, product quality, and downstream development decisions.

I find it especially rewarding to ensure that, even in a fast-moving environment, testing is performed with integrity and rigor so that only safe, high-quality vaccine candidates advance into clinical studies. Knowing that this work supports both patient safety and the program's long-term success makes it very meaningful.

CAMRIS: How do you see quality control evolving over the next few years, particularly in vaccine production?

I see quality control in vaccine production evolving in several key ways over the next few years. First, there’s continued integration of advanced analytical technologies—such as high-throughput assays, real-time monitoring, and machine-learning–assisted data analysis—that improve both the sensitivity and the speed of testing. These tools will help teams make faster, more informed decisions and increase process understanding earlier in development.

Second, process automation and digital quality systems are becoming more widespread. Electronic batch records, automated data capture, and integrated quality platforms not only improve efficiency but also strengthen compliance and traceability across global operations.

CAMRIS: What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned during your time in QC?

I’ve learned that when issues arise, the goal isn’t just to identify deviations, but to understand the root cause and prevent recurrence. That requires collaboration, scientific judgment, and sometimes slowing down to ensure the right long-term decision is made. This mindset has helped me balance compliance with continuous improvement and reinforced the critical role of QC in both patient safety and product success.

CAMRIS: When you’re not in the lab, how do you like to spend your free time?

I value spending time with friends and family, which typically involves hosting events, traveling, and shuttling my children to their various activities.