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Chemistry, Collaboration and Careers with TGA

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) tests around 2000 samples annually to ensure medicines and medical devices meet specified standards including checking for impurities and content of active ingredient. Join Sonia Taflaga, Director of Chemistry, TGA, for a seminar about her team’s work, opportunities for collaboration, and future careers.

Bio

Dr. Sonia Taflaga is the Director of the Chemistry Section at the Therapeutic Goods Administration Laboratories (TGA). She joined the TGA in 2022 after a career focused on forensic and anti-doping science. Her career has been driven by a passion to support the community and help others through her scientific and leadership skill set.

Her journey in Chemistry began at high-school and was consolidated with a degree in Chemistry with Honours in Forensic Chemistry at the University of Technology, Sydney. This was followed by a Doctorate in Science focused on the detection accelerants at fire scenes.

Sonia commenced her professional Forensic Scientist career with New South Wales Police Forensics Services Group in the Clandestine Drug Laboratory team. This led to a 13-year career with the Australian Federal Police both in Canberra and Sydney within various teams including Chemical Criminalistics and Crime Scenes. She conducted examinations primarily in explosive residue analysis, chemical warfare analysis, fire debris analysis, identification of unknowns, presumptive illicit drug testing and illicit drug seizures.

In 2019 Sonia became the Assistant Director Science with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority which later became a function of Sport Integrity Australia. In this role she led a team of Scientists who provided scientific operational response under Australia’s anti-doping obligations and supported Australian athletes through education. She is now with the TGA as the Director of the Chemistry Section and is responsible for a wide range of chemical analysis and physical testing to support the regulation of therapeutic goods that help protect the health and safety of the Australian community and the broader region.