Lydia Hoo
Human Resources Manager
Lydia Hoo has over twenty years of Human Resources experience with emphasis on Employee Benefits in various industries ranging from Defense Contractor to Pharmaceutical companies. Most recently, she has taken on the role as Human Resources Manager. On her off-time she enjoys practicing yoga and traveling the world. Some of her most memorable trips were hiking along the Great Wall of China, hiking up to Base Camp of Mt. Everest in Tibet and camping in the Outback of Australia as well as snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef. Her latest hobby is training her 3 year old German Shepherd Rottweiler mix to become a guard dog. She will be looking to add to her “pack” in the next year or so.
INSPIRED BY PRELLIS INTERVIEW
When you first learned about Prellis Biologics and the vision of the company, what were some of your initial thoughts?
“I’ve been in biotech for many years; I’ve been with small biotech companies and large pharmaceutical companies, so I wasn’t new to the industry. However, I was definitely new to what Prellis is doing. When I look back on everything, I’m really amazed at what Melanie has accomplished and what her vision is. The work we do is kind of mind-boggling. As a Human Resources Manager and not a scientist, I think that the technology we use on a daily basis is really cool. The medical field has made big strides, but to have a vision of building organs—it’s something that is truly spectacular.”
When you reflect on your team at Prellis, does anything stand out to you as being really unique?
“Yes, everybody. Each person I work with cares so much about what they do. They are a wonderful group of people, they’re fun to work with, and they’re so bright. Everybody takes the time to explain what they’re working on and really make us feel like a team, so I think that says a lot. Greg [Sr. Manager Business Development] and I go way back. We’re a small enough company where there’s really that opportunity for us to get to know one another. Before COVID-19 hit, we ate lunch together daily and had a great office dynamic. Working from home, that’s the real downside to this situation.”
What excites you most about the company’s future?
“That we are actually able to 3D bioprint organs and transplant them into people that need them. I mean, I know it’s a long way off, but, we have the most intelligent team, so it could be sooner than we realize. That’s my big hope—that we can change the lives of everybody that needs an organ, instead of waiting unimaginable lengths of time like the old-fashioned way of organ transplantation. This way, we can reach more people at a faster speed. That’s my biggest hope for Prellis and patients in the future.”