An interactive and curated full-day event to give a cross section of cosmetic formulation science! Happening May 11 from 8am-4pm ET. Registration is now open!

While this event is free of charge, our attempt is to make all of our summits top tier, competing with the highest quality conferences. From our experience, these conferences are generally very expensive and innaccessible to many independent professionals. Our free e-conference initiative is our attempt to democratize accurate information in cosmetics to anyone who wants it. Interested in supporting what we’re doing? Please share this event with your network! 

Note, sometimes our ticketing doesn’t work well on mobile devices. If you’re having issues, try registering via your computer. If you still have troubles, email us at info@theecowell.com and we will manually add you to our attendee list!

Agenda Topics. Stay tuned for the full schedule!

Basic Formulation Builds - presented by Perry Romanowski from Chemists Corner and the Beauty Brains

Delivery Systems - Gabriella Baki PhD from the University of Toledo

Surfactants, Emulsifiers and Solubilizers - presented by Denis Abbeduto from Colonial Chemical

Formulating for Inclusion and Diversity - Presented by AJ Addae from SULA Labs

“Natural” Oriented Formulations - Presented by Jaana Ailus

Designing a Formula - Presented by Ava Perkins @ava.perki

The Product Development Timeline - Presented by Su Fen Cheong from ENKOS

Navigating ingredient data - Presented by Lanesa Mahon @raya.faces

Preservation Systems - Sabrina Behnke PhD from TRI-K

Eco Design - Presented by Jen Novakovich @theecowell

Color Cosmetics - Presented by Belinda Carli from Institute of Personal Care Science

Accessing raw materials - TBA

Speaker Bios

Ava Perkins is a cosmetic chemist, science communicator, and PhD student. She has her Bachelor's degree in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design from the University of Toledo and is currently pursuing her PhD in Biomembrane Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. Within the industry, she has experience working in R&D, technical marketing, and social media marketing for contract manufacturers and raw ingredient suppliers. Her formal education and industry experience allows her to formulate over 50 cosmetic, personal care, and pharmaceutical products including skin care, hair care, sun care, color cosmetics, and more. Additionally, Ava is heavily involved in the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and is currently the chair of the NextGen Advisory Committee which addresses the needs of young professionals in the cosmetic and personal care industry. As a cosmetic chemist and content creator, it is her goal to bridge the gap between industry knowledge and consumer understanding by educating about the science behind cosmetic and personal care products.

AJ Addae is the founder of SULA LABS, and an award-winning cosmetic chemist, clinical researcher, and chemical biology PhD student at the University of California, Los Angeles. When AJ was a clinical researcher and formulator in the medical-grade skincare space, she immediately saw how underserved and under-considered Black consumers are in the R&D process, and sought out to build SULA LABS - a research-forward product development & testing laboratory that develops and tests products for Black-owned brands and dark skinned consumers, with customers in retailers including Sephora, Credo Beauty, and Ulta Beauty. AJ's dermatologic research is published in the Journal of Drugs and Dermatology, and she is a Future Laboratory Future Innovators awardee. She is ultimately driven by her innate passion for using chemistry and clinical research as a means of change for the health of skin of color.

Perry Romanowski is a cosmetic chemist and Vice President of Element 44. He joined the IFSCC Praesidium as Chair of Education in 2019. He earned his BS in Chemistry and MS in Biochemistry from DePaul University, and began his career at Alberto Culver. He founded ChemistsCorner.com, an online educational company for cosmetic chemists. He has co-authored the industry standard book Beginning Cosmetic Chemistry along with numerous other publications. He is also co-host of the popular beauty podcast The Beauty Brains. Previously President of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (USA & Canada) he has held numerous other offices at national and regional level.

Dr. Gabriella Baki, PhD is an associate professor at the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She is the director and main instructor of various lectures and laboratories in the UToledo Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design program.  Dr. Baki is a pharmacist, graduated in 2008 from the University of Szeged, Hungary; and has a PhD in Pharmaceutics from the same university. Dr. Baki’s main research focuses on the topical delivery of active ingredients, sensory testing of creams and lotions, and SFP boosting technologies. Dr. Baki has made 20+ technical presentations, written 45+ publications, contributed to a few book chapters and has a book, Introduction to Cosmetic Formulation and Technology; its second edition published by John Wiley and Sons in January of 2023. Dr. Baki is also actively involved in the cosmetic science community and served as chair of SCC NextGen Advisory Committee in 2023.

Lanesa Mahon is a cosmetic chemist and 2nd year PhD student in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Cincinnati. Originally from Columbia, SC., she obtained her bachelor’s in chemistry from Vanderbilt University in 2020. After her bachelors, she decided to combine her passion for science and beauty going on to earn her Master of Business and Science in Cosmetic Science from Rutgers University in 2022. She has completed several industry internships during her academic career and does sci-comm work on her IG and Tik Tok platform @raya.faces. Her current PhD research investigates the relationship between skin ageing and fibroblast senescence.

Jaana Ailus is a cosmetic scientist, R&D expert, and PhD student. Based in Finland, she is UK-educated and currently pursuing her PhD part-time at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at the Liverpool John Moores University. As her day job, Jaana works as the head of R&D at Laponie Skincare. Laponie Skincare is a Finnish brand aimed at sensitive and problem skin that Jaana is also the co-owner of. She also does formulation work for several clients in the Nordics. She has formulated hundreds of products on the market, ranging from skincare to color cosmetics. Jaana’s formulation speciality is in natural (often Cosmos certified) products. Jaana is a member of both the UK Society of Cosmetic Scientists as well as SCANCOS (Scandinavian Society of Cosmetic Chemists) and tries to attend events held by both organizations annually.

Dennis Abbeduto has over 25 years surfactant and formulation chemistry experience and currently works for Colonial Chemical, Inc as Personal Care Business Manager. He has also served as Product Applications Manager at Colonial. Prior to his time at Colonial Chemical, he worked for Alberto-Culver Co in Chicago, Illinois on skin care technology and as a formulation chemist for the St. Ives and Noxzema brands. Dennis also worked for McIntyre Group, Ltd in University Park, Illinois as an R&D synthesis, applications, and claims chemist. He has a BS in chemistry from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois.

Belinda Carli is Director of Institute of Personal Care Science, providing on-line, industry recognised certificates and diplomas in formulation and regulation of personal care and cosmetics. The Institute has trained thousands of students from hundreds of countries for 17 years. Belinda has written 5 books on formulation and brand management, developed formulation software Create Cosmetic Formulas , and has 120,000+ subscribers on YouTube with hundreds of videos on personal care formulation, regulations and marketing.

Dr. Sabrina Behnke PhD holds a BSc in Water Sciences from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany and a PhD in Microbiology from Montana State University. During her graduate studies she investigated microbial biofilms in water distribution systems at the Center for Biofilm Engineering in Bozeman, MT, where she collaborated with multinational consumer goods companies. Dr. Behnke then joined Reckitt Benckiser as a R&D microbiologist, supporting EPA claim substation for disinfectant household products. Additionally, she held roles in Personal Care Formulation Innovation and Technology Scouting. In 2018, she switched from the manufacturer’s to the supplier’s side of the industry as a Global Product Manager for Symrise where she managed a portfolio of Multifunctionals and Preservatives. Today, Dr. Behnke is an Associate Business Director for biopolymers and preservatives with TRI-K Industries.

Su Fen Cheong is the Innovation Manager at Enkos Developments (UK). An accomplished Formulation Chemist with a Masters in Formulation Science, Su Fen specializes in creating and delivering innovation for the beauty industry which is guided by her 18 years of cross continental experience, with particular focus in personal care and color cosmetics. At Enkos, Su Fen leads the highly skilled innovation team in developing and delivering blue-sky product concepts, where she applies her passion and knowledge in skin physiology and biochemistry to identify unique pathways that offer highly efficacious systems and of creative communication.

Jen Novakovich is a cosmetic scientist, science communicator and founder of The Eco Well. She started her career as a formulator and science writer, and has transitioned to technical consulting, sustainability substantiation and science communication. She hosts free e-conferences and a weekly podcast where she highlights interdisciplinary scientists about all things cosmetics. Jen holds two bachelors of science degrees, a diploma in formulation chemistry, a grad certificate in the policy of climate change, and a masters of science in environmental sciences, which she focused on chemical management in cosmetics. She’s currently doing a PhD at the University of Ottawa studying how misinformation is impacting sustainable development in cosmetics.

Thank you to our sponsors who help keep our e-summits free and accessible to anyone!

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