Advisory Board

Eric Abrutyn is a graduate of New York University-New Paltz with a Masters in chemistry and of C.W. Post College/Long Island University with a BS in chemistry. He has over 35 years of experience in the personal care industry and is an active member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. Abrutyn also is chairman of the Personal Care Products Council (formerly CTFA) International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) Committee.

Abrutyn recently retired from Kao Brands Company as a senior principal scientist. He has contributed broadly in the fields of hair care research, skin care product development and underarm product development. He also had experience at Dow Corning as senior technical service scientist in the field of silicone chemistry and Wickhen Products as director of R&D in the field of antiperspirants, esterification, spray drying and free-radical polymerization. He has also worked for Amerchol as a synthesis chemist in the field of glucoside chemistry. Abrutyn holds more than 15 patents, is contributing editor to four books, is the author of many technical articles and has given numerous presentations in the field of antiperspirants, polymerization, controlled release and silicone applications.

Isabelle Castiel-Higounenc, PharmD., Ph.D., is a dermo-pharmacologist specialized in skin and hair research. She has 30 years of experience in the dermo-cosmetic industry and is passionate about science and sharing. Believing in the essentiality of cosmetic products, she is convinced that education and science mediation are the keys to better management of skin and hair health. She is committed to raising awareness for improved consumers' behaviors, for example toward sun exposure, by sharing scientific innovation and discoveries in this field to various audiences; from scientific experts and medical doctors to the general public.

Castiel-Higounenc is a pharmacist with a  Ph.D. in dermopharmacology by training, in collaboration with Paris-Saclay University, Leiden University (Holland) and Galderma, where she focused on skin barrier function and skin lipids. She has used her knowledge and skills to develop reconstructed skin models and evaluate skin penetration and the activity of active ingredients in vitro and in vivo either after topical route administration or ingestion. Castiel-Higounenc's areas of expertise are skin care biology including microbiome, photoprotection, pigmentation and aging incosmetic or food supplement applications. In the last 10 years, she additionally has developed new skills in communication, supporting researchers from all domains as well as communication teams in their science mediation activities.

After earning her Ph.D., Castiel-Higounenc led the skin pharmacokinetic department of Pierre Fabre Cosmetic. In 1997, she joined L’Oréal R&I in France where she took several positions: research unit manager, skin care research laboratory (ceramides, stem cells); manager of a collaboration program on menopause and DHEA with Laval University (Quebec); head of oral cosmetic research for L’Oréal (Innéov portfolio, Nestlé/L’Oréal joint venture), responsible for all collaborations with Galderma (Nestlé/L’Oréal Joint Venture). In 2014, she joined the R&I Communications & Engagement Department, where she is in charge of the valorization of new scientific domains and technologies, and of scientific experts’ communication strategies. These years in research teams drove to the release of 28 scientific publications and many patents.

Castiel-Higounenc is a member of the board of directors of the SFC (Société Française de Cosmétologie). In 2022, she was appointed IFSCC Praesidium committee member on behalf of SFC. Chair of Science for the next IFSCC congress in France, she is organizing the scientific program for the biggest yearly international event for cosmetic research in 2025.

Jean-Christophe Choulot, Ph.D., is currently the director of R&D for Caudalíe. He most recently served as R&D Manager at Ales Groupe from 2005 to 2018, and collaborated with Laboratoires Expanscience from 1998-2005 as cosmetic development manager. Additionally, he worked with Alban Muller in 1996, and Pierre Fabre in France and the United States prior to that.

Choulot is trained as a pharmacist, having received his doctorate degree in pharmacy at Université de Pharmacie de Lyon, where he also earned his master's degree in biological and medical sciences. He extended his education with studies in pharmaceutical sciences and toxicology/safety at Université Lumière Lyon 2 and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, respectively.

Kelly A. Dobos is a cosmetic chemist with 20 years of expertise in skin care and color cosmetics, having worked for brands such as Bonne Bell, Purell and Jergens. She graduated Oberlin College with a bachelor's in chemistry, and obtained a master's in pharmaceutical sciences with an emphasis in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati, from which she received the GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dobos also holds an MBA from Cleveland State University and has been a member of the SCC for 18 years, serving at local and national levels, including as president in 2019. Kelly is an inventor on four patents and has written numerous articles for cosmetic science publications, including Cosmetics &Toiletries. She is part of the American Chemical Society’s expert panel and serves as a subject matter expert for consumer magazines like Allure and New Beauty, in addition to news organizations such as NPR and the Washington Post. She served at a judge for the 2022 C&T Alle Awards and is currently teaching courses on color cosmetics for the University of Cincinnati.

Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., is a board certified dermatologist in private practice and a primary investigator for Dermatology Consulting Services, a company she founded in 1988 to provide education, develop formulation technology and conduct clinical studies in association with the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry. Her research interests include cosmetics, toiletries and biologically active skin medications. A national and international speaker, she has been the recipient of numerous research grants and served as principal investigator on more than 200 clinical trials. She is also a contributor to the medical literature, with more than 200 articles and 25 book chapters to her credit. She is the author of the Cosmetics in Dermatology, now in its third edition, and Hair Care, as well as serving as the editor for the textbook Cosmeceuticals, which has been translated into five languages. Complementing her writing endeavors, Draelos serves on eight editorial boards, including Cosmetics & Toiletries, Cosmetic Dermatology, The International Journal of Cosmetic Science, Dermatologic Surgery, Dermatology Times, Aesthetic Dermatology News, Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, Drugs and Dermatology, Cutis and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. She is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Draelos is a fellow and past board member of the American Academy of Dermatology and also holds membership in the American Dermatological Association, the Society for Investigative Dermatology and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, among others. She is a past board member for the Society for Dermatologic Surgery. A former Rhodes Scholar, Draelos has been the recipient of many awards and honors in recognition of her professional and academic accomplishments. She was recently given a Lifetime Achievement Award for her research from Health Beauty America, a professional skin care and cosmetics industry organization.

Angela R. Eppler, Ph.D., currently serves as senior principal scientist at Haleon (formerly GlaxoSmithKline/GSK, acquired by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare). She specializes in the formulation and product design of topical personal care applications for the ChapStick, Anbesol and Preparation H brands.

Eppler earned her doctorate degree in pharmaceutical sciences with a specialty in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Before joining Pfizer, Eppler was employed as a biologist at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in the cosmetic toxicology branch, where her research activities included skin absorption, metabolism of inflammatory mediators and the development of alternative in vitro skin irritation methods.

Evans has worked in the hair care industry for more 20 years, with the majority of his time spent as a manager in the product development labs of Helene Curtis and Unilever. He also served for several years as director of measurement services at TRI-Princeton (TRI) before becoming director and research fellow, in addition to establishing his own consultancy, TA Evans LLC, in November 2012.

Evans holds a doctoral degree in physical-analytical chemistry and specializes in measurement science. In the personal care industry, his activities involved fundamental research, supporting product development efforts, substantiating and validating marketing claims, and a variety of other problem-solving. In addition, he facilitated and taught TRI’s two annual hair training classes and still holds the title Adjunct Research Fellow at TRI. Further, he teaches a series of lectures on hair science as part of the Master’s of Business and Science program in Personal Care Science at Rutgers University. Evans holds seven patents in the area of hair care and has published numerous articles in trade magazines and the scientific literature. His work has been awarded twice by the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, and he is a co-author and co-editor of the book “Practical Modern Hair Science,” published by Allured Business Media.

Linda C. Foltis is a consultant having most recently served (2021 to 2023) as vice president of R&D and regulatory at Function of Beauty where she established thought leadership in personalized hair care. There, she built on the founders’ first-to-market launch of personalized hair and skin care via a portfolio expansion. Her expertise led: nine new retail hair treatment product launches for Target (12/2021); four customized styling SKUs at Target (12/2022); the company's direct to consumer (DTC) expansion into styling with customizable style primer (10/2022); DTC portfolio line extensions – i.e., silicone-free and purple (reduced hair brassiness) treatments; the development of next generation hair ‘repair’ technology for DTC and retail (Q3 2023 launches); the establishment of hair measurement science capabilities and a laboratory salon to support product evaluation and claims; the adoption of ISO standards for natural-derived ingredients; and the strengthening of the R&D, marketing and regulatory interface to support claims development and the recent MOCRA act, among others.

Foltis was previously vice president at Ashland Inc. for 8 years. She is results-oriented, with dual technical and commercial expertise in advancing personal care technology in global specialty ingredients and consumer product markets. Her passion lies in building and directing cohesive high-performing global cross-functional teams. She is seasoned in strategic planning, identifying growth platforms and managing robust portfolios, and excels at relationship-building with customers and alliance partners to accelerate innovation. Her personal care formulation expertise was developed through earlier experience at L'Oreal, Playtex (now Edgewell), Shulton and Unilever. She is an author/co-author on numerous publications and five patents, and holds a master of science degree in chemistry from Seton Hall University and a minor in business administration.

S. Peter Foltis is an independent consultant for the cosmetics industry. He most recently served as director of scientific affairs for skin care at L’Oréal USA, having worked with the company for 20+ years in various R&D roles, including: as director of SkinCeuticals and Ralph Lauren Fragrances, and as a senior chemist, group leader and eventually manager of the Skin Treatment division. Prior to L’Oréal, Foltis worked as a chemist at the Lever Brothers Company.

Foltis earned his master’s degree in medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy from Purdue University. His undergraduate degree is in pharmacy from Rutgers University. In addition, Foltis has authored and co-authored several books, book chapters and articles on topics ranging from shaving preparations and antioxidants to UV protection and self-tanners. Foltis is a registered pharmacist in the state of New Jersey as well as a member of the New York Academy of Sciences and Society of Cosmetic Chemists. He currently holds pending patents covering drug delivery, dosage form stabilization, photoprotection strategies, eczema treatment and other novel skin treatment formulations.

Hemali Gunt, Ph.D., serves as the head of clinical and scientific affairs at Burt’s Bees (A Clorox Company). Her focus is to demonstrate scientifically based skin care benefits through clinical testing, laboratory investigations and instrumental assessments. Additionally, she represents the science behind natural solutions through interaction with the professional and medical communities.

Prior to joining Burt’s Bees, she worked as a clinical scientist at a contract testing lab where she gained extensive experience in clinical trials of personal care products, OTC, drugs and medical devices. Gunt holds doctorate and master’s degrees in pharmaceutical sciences from University of Cincinnati. She is member of the American Academy of Dermatology and Society of Cosmetic Chemists, and the lead author on numerous scientific posters and publications specializing in the area of skin and lip care. She also has been featured in several Cosmetics & Toiletries podcasts and interviews.

Mindy Goldstein, Ph.D., received her doctorate in the area of UV and gamma radiation damage to DNA, and DNA repair from New York University. She has been awarded patents in encapsulation and controlled release and has been involved in the cosmetic industry since 1987.

Goldstein currently leads her own consulting firm. She was most recently vice president of R&D for Atlantic Coast Media Group. Prior to this, she served as executive director of R&D and patent formula review for The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Goldstein is an active member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, having served in various capacities. She is currently the 2020 president.

John Jiménez was trained as a pharmacist at the National University of Colombia. He earned his master's degree in sustainable development at the Escuela de Organización Industria (EOI) business school in Madrid, with specialized studies in marketing, neuromarketing and cosmetic science.

Jiménez began his carrier in the cosmetic field in 1999. He joined the R&D department at Belcorp in 2005, where he currently is the senior exploration scientist for the skin care, personal care and sun care categories. His research activities include pipeline innovation development, and exploratory and applied investigation.

Before joining Belcorp, Jiménez was employed at Whitehall A.H. Robins, Fresenius Medical Care and Esko Laboratories in Colombia. He is the author or coauthor of more than 25 scientific publications, has participated in many conferences and congresses, and has written a regular column on market trends in Cosmetics & Toiletries Brasil since 2013.

He also has received a number of awards, including: the Maison G. de Navarre Prize, at the 23rd IFSCC Congress (USA 2004); best scientific papers at XIX Colamiqc (Ecuador 2009), XXI Colamiqc (Brazil 2013) and Farmacosmética (Colombia 2014); and the Henry Maso award, at the 29th IFSCC Congress (USA 2016).

With more than 20+ years of strategic excellence, Emma Kohring is a global scientific communications leader renowned for her operational prowess in multinational corporations such as Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble and currently Kenvue. With a robust foundation in R&D, she pioneers groundbreaking narratives in health and beauty.

Kohring's expertise in innovation fuels her ability to engage diverse professionals and stakeholders globally. From cultivating key opinion leader relationships to shaping executive counsel, her scientific acumen navigates brands to unparalleled success. Her leadership inspires innovation in skin care, beauty, biotech and health care, resonating across continents. With an unwavering commitment to purposeful storytelling and myth busting, she is the driving force behind transformative R&D-driven outreach and engagement. Kohring earned her undergrad degree in biochemistry from Birmingham University, UK.

Karl Laden, Ph.D., has been the Technical Manager for Alpa Cosmetics since 1994 and is responsible for all regulatory and technical matters relating to products imported and manufactured by the company, including brands from Beiersdorf, Chanel, Elizabeth Arden, Givenchy, MAM Baby, Clarins and more. Laden also is responsible for development and manufacture of new products for the Orna 19 brand hair removal and skin care products. Prior to his current role, he was a consultant from 1987 to 1993, working with several major manufacturers.

In cooperation with Alpa Cosmetics, he developed a line of Dead Sea Cosmetics called Mineral Spa; co-founded InnoScent Ltd., a company developing novel solutions to odor problems, and served as vice president of R&D for Carter-Wallace Corp. in New York (1976-1986).

Professional activities include: President and Chairman, U.S. Society of Cosmetic Chemists (1977-1978); Editor, Journal of Cosmetic Science (1971-1976); Board of Editors, Research Technology Management (1983-1986); Contributing Editor, National Beauty School Journal (1970-1977); and the Personal Care Products Council Microbiology Committee (1972-1976).

Danilo Lambino is an inventor, cosmetic formulator, visual artist and beauty technology entrepreneur at Formulae8, a company he founded in 2008. He holds a master's degree in material science and engineering from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Saint Louis University.

Lambino describes himself as passionately engaged in creative and entrepreneurial technology, product and brand development ventures in the beauty space. His work is focused on empowering ideas, transforming consumer insights and enabling new discoveries in ingredients, devices, emerging packaging trends and novel delivery systems.

He is the recipient of a 2010 International Technology Award from Cosmetics & Toiletries (now the C&T Allē Awards) for an innovative melanin spot technology demo kit demonstrating a client's efficacy in directly fading melanin.

Prithwiraj Maitra, Ph.D., is currently executive director, R&D, at Allergan Aesthetics/AbbVie. Previously, he was executive director of R&D for SkinMedica/Allergan; and director and research fellow, head of upstream innovation in skin care, skin biology and biodelivery platforms, at J&J Research and Development. There, Maitra was responsible for delivering a balanced innovation portfolio with a focus on key strategic priorities and consumer unmet needs in areas including: anti-aging, acne, fairness and tone, sun and body benefit areas. In addition, he worked to develop a robust innovation pipeline for J&J's global beauty brands: Neutrogena, Aveeno, RoC, Clean & Clear and Neostrata.

Maitra's expertise includes driving innovation through external collaborations, material science, the structure-function relationship of ingredients and formulations, and optical science, color and appearance of personal care products. Notably, he was the recipient of Avon’s Global R&D Achievement Award in 2007 and 2009, and recipient of the Most Innovative Scientist Award for Neutrogena Cosmetics in 2010.

Howard Maibach, M.D., is a dermatologist with expertise in treating contact dermatitis and occupational dermatitis. His specialties include allergic skin disorders and skin conditions caused by exposure to toxic substances. He also has an interest in dermatopharmacology.

Maibach earned his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed a residency as well as a fellowship in dermatology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Maibach has served on the editorial boards of more than 30 scientific journals. He is a member of 19 professional societies, including the American Academy of Dermatology, San Francisco Dermatological Society and International Commission on Occupational Health. He also has served as column editor for the series "A Dermatological View," published for years in Cosmetics & Toiletries.

Jennifer Marsh, Ph.D., has worked with P&G for 17 years in a variety of roles, including consumer research, and product and technology development. As an accomplished Principal Scientist in the Beauty and Technology division, Marsh has conducted multiple studies on bleach and oxidative chemistry for hair color technologies. One of her most recent achievements, a new hair color chemistry, was launched in 2008 as Nice N' Easy Perfect 10, which was the result of several years of collaboration by a team of P&G's scientists. This work earned recognition from the Society of Cosmetics Chemists. In addition, Princeton has recognized her work on High Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry.

Marsh holds a doctorate in synthetic inorganic chemistry from the University of Oxford's Wolfson College, where her thesis was on the chemistry of gold. She has presented and published numerous papers in the area of hair structure science and color, and she holds more than 20 patents.

Marc Pissavini, Ph.D., began his career as an analytical chemist for the cosmetics industry in 1997 and soon thereafter, in 1998, joined the sun research department of Coty-Lancaster in Monaco. In 2003, he earned his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis and since 2008, has served as the director of Basic and Applied Research for Coty-Lancaster. His portfolio includes 20 publications, two patents and 25 conference and poster presentations.

Pissavini's research interests include UV spectroscopy with a focus on the study and design of test methods and the influence of substrate roughness on SPF measurements; the design and optimization of SPF, PPD, water resistance and photostability test methods; and skin care research in relation to texture and sensory assessments. He is an active participant in related specialty groups, including serving as chairman, since 2012, of both the Cosmetics Europe Photostability In Vitro Task Force and of the ISO SPF In Vitro Task Force. He has also been a member of the French Agency for the Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS), the French Organization for Standardization and its International Organization Standardization member body (AFNOR), and the French trade organization Fédération des Entreprises de la Beauté (FEBEA) for years.

Rigano has been operating in the cosmetic field since he graduated with a degree in industrial chemistry in 1970. For more than 15 years, he has carried out R&D activities, production and technical assistance in many national and international companies such as Unilever, Lepetit, Intercos, Woltz, Givaudan and Schering. Rigano has managed his own laboratory since 1986, and has acted as an independent consultant to the industry. He is the co-director of the Institute of Skin and Product Evaluation (ISPE), an ISO 9002-certified laboratory for the evaluation of tolerability, efficacy and sensorial characteristics of cosmetics and industrial products. In addition to being past president and an honorary member of the SICC, he has been the scientific secretary and the honorary secretary of International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC). Rigano is member of the register of chemists in the Lombardia region and consultant at the Milan Court. He is also author of more than 50 scientific articles of cosmetics, aesthetics and dermatology.

Steve Schnittger, Ph.D., is a consultant and industry expert, having served most recently as the Vice President of Global Microbiology and Fermentation in R&D for the Estée Lauder Cos. He was with the company for more than 20 years, all within the Microbiology and Bio-Ferm Lab. His primary responsibilities were in the area of cosmetic preservation and advising chemists on new formulations. Additional responsibilities included: developing new actives through fermentation, advising on cleaning and sanitization procedures, and assisting quality assurance and manufacturing when problems arose. He worked closely with the Safety Group to find a balance between safety and product preservation.

Before joining the Estée Lauder Cos., Schnittger worked for Ralston Purina Co. and attended school at the University of Tulsa, majoring in microbiology. He is past chairman of the PCPC (then-CTFA) Microbiology Committee, an active member of the U.S. TAG/ISO committee for Cosmetic Microbiology, and a member of the American Society of Microbiology, the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and the Institute of Food Technology. He holds numerous patents in cosmetic science, fermentation and frequently presents on preservation, risk assessment and fermentation.

Ron Sharpe, principal scientist with Amway Corp.’s health and beauty new technology group, has nearly 30 years of expertise in the personal care industry, including global product development in skin care, personal care and shaded cosmetics. His technical expertise includes product development with an emphasis on Asia; skin imaging and bio-instrumentation; the biology of skin aging; genomics and enology. Sharpe currently specializes in strategic technology planning, open innovation and sustainable new technology development.

Before joining Amway, Sharpe served product development roles with Pfizer Consumer Products and Tambrands Inc. He earned his master’s degree in cosmetic science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

After a bachelor's degree with honors in chemistry from the University of Stirling, a doctorate in organic chemistry from the Research Institute for Medicine and Chemistry, and a post doctoral position at the University of Geneva, Smith joined Procter & Gamble. Following several years with P&G, he joined the fragrance industry in a number of technical management positions in Switzerland and the United States.

In 2002, he joined Coty at their global R&D headquarters in Morris Plains, N.J., USA, as VP of R&D, where his responsibilities included basic research, fragrance technology and development, consumer affairs, sensory, Coty Testing Institute, analytical, safety and toxicology. In July 2011, he was named senior VP of R&D, a role he assumed in Geneva, Switzerland. Retiring in the spring of 2015, Smith founded his own consulting company, following which, he returned to the industry, this time as Chief Scientific and Regulatory Officer of La Perla Beauty. He has a number of publications in chemistry and perfumery, and a list of patents ranging from insect control and deodorancy to delivery systems.

Katerina Steventon, Ph.D., is a skin care specialist with substantial experience working at the clinical, commercial and research interface. She holds master's degree in clinical biochemistry, a doctorate in transdermal absorption and more than 25 years of global work experience in the personal care and wound care industry. Steventon has in-depth knowledge of skin biology in both its healthy and diseased states, and a comprehensive understanding of consumer and technology trends and commercialization of research in a spectrum of health care areas. She also has experience running an innovation consultancy and a private clinic with a focus on functional skin care.

Approaching skin care innovation from many perspectives, Steventon appreciates the importance of understanding consumer needs, the fast translation of science into products, and the benefits of cross-functional knowledge-sharing. She facilitates academic/industry partnerships for the Skin Research Centre at the University of York. Also, as a clinician, innovation consultant and co-director of the Cosmetics Cluster UK, she endeavors to highlight the importance of skin health and mental well-being research and innovation in personal care to the individual well-being of consumers. Steventon is also the scientific program director for the biennial Anti-Aging Skin Care Conference in London.

Akshay Talati, R.Ph., has an established history of 30 years in the personal care industry across 23 distinct brands for Estée Lauder, Unilever, L’Oréal and Goop. He has championed global innovation for hundreds of products valued at billions of dollars that have immensely impacted the beauty industry across categories of skin care, color, hair care, OTC, ingestibles and dermatology. Talati has expertise in overseeing global R&D, product development and innovation teams inclusive of packaging, regulatory, safety, clinical testing and claims, as well as international expansion and new brand creations.

Akshay, a pharmacist, holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences. He currently serves as vice president-elect on the board of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, where he has previously held positions of the committee chair of scientific affairs, area director and chapter chair. He is professor of practice at K.L.E. College of Pharmacy, an executive advisor, co-founder, speaker and writer for several trade shows and publications, and actively engages in mentoring professionals seeking guidance in the beauty industry. Currently, as head of new product development and innovation for Goop, he leads expansion beyond skin care into color, hair care and dietary supplements as well as into new retail channels and markets.

For the past 14+ years, Peter Tsolis has held various positions with several brands for the Estée Lauder Companies, where his work has led to a number of product launches. Throughout his career, he has held cross-functional responsibilities ranging from innovation to business development. Tsolis is an active member of the SCC, having served as the 2018 National President and previously as chair of the Long Island SCC chapter. He currently teaches courses in cosmetics R&D, and has given numerous presentations at industry and university conferences in the areas of skin care formulation, delivery systems and new technology. His research interests include innovative technology, optimizing activity in formulas and marketing in the personal care market.

Debbie Waite is a dedicated professional with more than 25 years of industry experience in cosmetic regulatory affairs. Her expertise includes overseeing several multi-million dollar product line launches. She ensures that clients structure their marketing claims to make the strongest compliant claim possible, and that product warnings are meaningful and concisely worded. With more than 20 years' MSDS responsibility, the SDSs she authors are meaningful and compliant without being overly cumbersome. Her attention to detail ensures product formulations are thoroughly reviewed and packaging artwork is fully compliant and consistent.

Gill Westgate, Ph.D., is an expert in skin and hair biology gained through a long career in both cosmetic industry and academic sectors, with many years working for Unilever UK R&D and then, the University of Bradford UK. She has published many papers in the academic and popular press and is a regular invited speaker at conferences in the UK and internationally.

Recently retired from academia, Westgate now works in close collaboration with scientists and dermatologists in industry on their innovation projects. She is a past president of the European Hair Research Society, immediate past chair of the International Federation of Hair Research Societies and a member of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists.

In 2020, she co-founded Cosmetics Cluster UK, a business-to-business networking cluster which now has more than 50 industry members and regularly participates in industry events to promote collaboration and careers throughout the value chain.

Shuliang Zhang, Ph.D., is senior director for the Coty Testing Institute, where he oversees both consumer and clinical testing in skin care and color cosmetics. Prior to this, he served as the clinical research manager for Unilever Home and Personal Care. His expertise is understanding skin as a substrate, skin cleansing and care technologies, and their effect on skin structure and function. His work at Unilever's China facility was heavily involved in designing tests to measure the true effects of products on skin. There, he oversaw panel testing with volunteers using the company's personal care products.

Tao Zheng, Ph.D., has been an innovation leader and is a material scientist with 23+ years of experience in the personal care industry. He is currently executive director, SPF & Makeup Charter Innovation at the Estée Lauder Cos. His experience includes leading a team of scientists to create, design and implement key charter innovation programs to develop breakthrough technology platforms for cosmetic brands including Estée Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, MAC, Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced and Tom Ford Beauty. Recently, he initiated two SPF Charters to drive global sun care innovations for both organic and inorganic sunscreen products in skin care and makeup categories.

Prior to The Estée Lauder Cos., Zheng headed the sun care and skin care innovation group at Edgewell Personal Care for seven years, where he developed OTC products and technology pipelines for Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic, the leading sun care brands in the U.S. and global markets. In addition, he developed antibacterial wipes for Wet Ones following the FDA Monograph. Prior to Edgewell, he worked at Avon as program manager for 12 years, driving color cosmetics and skin care active delivery innovations. He also worked at Procter & Gamble for oral care and denture adhesive innovation.

Zheng received his doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati, and MBA from New York University Stern School of Business. He holds 30+ patents and patent applications worldwide in polymer materials and formulation technologies. He has served as Judge for the CEW Beauty Creators Awards for four years, and is also a key member of the Committee on Scientific Affairs (COSA) for Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC), where he assists in judging research papers for technical awards and organizing the SCC Annual Scientific Meetings.