Before he walked the halls of University of the Pacific or led quality-assurance teams, Norman Kobayashi ’70, ’73 lived in a small farming community 140 miles from Stockton.

As the only son, he spent much of his childhood dutifully working alongside his father, toiling in the hot sun as they tended their family vineyard.

The words of his father motivated him to pursue higher education. His father once said, “If you don’t study hard and do well in school, you’ll end up right here helping me on the farm when you get older.”

With a keen interest in science and a quiet determination to explore opportunities beyond his rural upbringing, Kobayashi found his way to pharmacy.

He earned his bachelor of science in pharmacy and his master of science in pharmaceutical sciences from Pacific. He credits his faculty advisor, the late Professor Emeritus James C. King, PhD, for laying the foundation for a remarkable career in pharmacy.

“Dr. King established the first clinical pharmacy experience with San Joaquin General Hospital,” said Kobayashi. “This allowed pharmacy students to make rounds on the hospital floor alongside other health care students. Dr. King also helped me navigate my career goals while I was pursuing my graduate education.”

Starting out in the pharmaceutical industry in dosage form design, Kobayashi quickly distinguished himself with his technical skill and problem-solving mindset. His career evolved into commercial manufacturing and ultimately into quality assurance, where he was responsible for upholding the quality of clinical and commercial products.

After stepping back from the pharmaceutical industry, Kobayashi launched Kobayashi and Associates, LLC, which offers quality assurance and compliance services to emerging biotechnology companies.

“Quality and compliance is the same whether you are developing a proof of concept or taking a product to market,” he said. “In every case, the underlying goal is improving medical care.”

For more than 15 years, Kobayashi has championed Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences Program (PCSP) graduate students who have had the opportunity to present their research at national or international conferences. This year, the travel stipend was transformed into a Powell-matched endowed scholarship by his sons, Scott and Jeff.

Reflecting on his own experiences, he views professional conferences as powerful catalysts for connection and professional growth.

“My hope is this scholarship allows students to meet people and network, explore research or employment opportunities,” he said. “And have a good time, too.”

As an undergraduate student at Pacific, Kobayashi spent summers and holidays behind a counter at a local pharmacy where he gained first-hand experience working with patients.

“When I came to pharmacy school, I was pretty naive about everything. I had never been behind the prescription counter. Now, I want to help students get behind their own counters and see what’s out there.”

Kobayashi helps shape the education of future pharmaceutical scientists by serving on the PCSP Industrial Advisory Board, where he shares crucial industry insights and offers guidance on curriculum changes. He also maintains strong ties to Pacific as an active brother of the Gamma Nu chapter of the Kappa Psi pharmaceutical fraternity and by serving on the Kappa Psi - Gamma Nu Education Foundation board of directors.

Fuel the future of discovery

Join Kobayashi in helping emerging researchers show up, stand out and shape the future of health care. Give now or contact Susan E. Webster, senior assistant dean of development, at swebster@pacific.edu or 209.946.3116.