Vote For Faisal Chaudhry

My Bio

BACKGROUND

I have been living in Basking Ridge with my wife and 3 children for the past 6 years. The school system was one of the main factors in our decision to raise our family here. We live in comfort and security that is not found by most people in this world. I want to provide my services to the Bernards Township School District in gratitude for being a part of this welcoming community. I believe my skills and experiences can be utilized to help alleviate issues ranging from budget concerns and school overcrowding to teacher retention and student wellness.

WHY I AM RUNNING

My desire to work with the School District started 3 years ago when I began volunteering in the Cedar Hill Elementary library. It was eye-opening to see the growth and development of my children’s 3 respective grades through that time. I also saw firsthand the amount of hard work that teachers and administrators put into educating our children, not to mention the multitude of issues they must deal with daily. Finally, student wellness is a prime concern of mine. In this current world of ideological extremes, there needs to be someone who can provide a balanced, unbiased point of view. I feel I can be that person.

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE BASED ON PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

I was born in the Middle East and raised there and in South Asia. I grew up during turbulent times that are almost identical to what we see today. I came to the United States as a college student at Ohio Wesleyan University, where I earned a B.A. in Genetics with minors in history and religion. I then obtained my Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Purdue University. After a 5-year post-doctoral career at Brandeis University, I entered the biopharmaceutical industry working in drug manufacturing quality and control. I now work as a Regulatory Affairs Director for a clinical-stage, oncology-focused, gene and cell therapy company. Undoubtedly, I will be a strong advocate for STEM to make sure our children continue to excel in math and science.

I grew up abroad in different cultures and political environments. When I came to the United States, I experienced the freedom and ability to speak freely without retribution which has made me appreciate what this country has provided to me. I am able to raise a family under these very freedoms I did not have at their age. Out of sheer gratitude, sense of duty, and the desire to give back, I am running for this position.

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE TABLE

My professional role requires me to balance the needs of my company for ensuring supply of drugs for clinical trials, with the safety and compliance requirements of the FDA. Being in that position requires me to listen to the needs of both my company and the regulatory agency, to problem-solve any gaps in understanding between the two sides, and to brainstorm solutions that allow potentially life saving drugs to be provided to the clinic, while keeping patient safety and regulatory compliance as the top priority. Ultimately, one must PLAN AHEAD and anticipate future issues using a risk-based approach to address issues before they happen.

With my unique personal and professional background, it is time to provide my expertise and services to future generations of American students, to provide a different perspective to administrators on how to problem solve, and to make the difficult decisions to ensure the highest quality of education for our children.

This requires working as a collective unit of parents, students, teachers, and administrators to address issues facing us today. I, myself, do not have the answers, because those answers must come through a community-wide effort based on mutual understanding and tackling the issues together. I want to be that bridge which makes this to happen.

Finally, I am running my campaign alone, without donations, without any ideological tilt. I will make decisions that are practical, common sensical, and fact- and data-driven.

My Key Issues