A full day conference to put a magnifying glass on misinformation in the cosmetics sector, its impacts and strategies to overcome it. What is fact and what is fiction? Happening Sept 29th from 8am-4pm ET.

 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!  If it’s accessible, you can also donate during your registration.

Big thank you to our media sponsor, Cosmetics & Toiletries, for collaborating with us to give the Truth in Beauty E-Summit a greater platform with their publication. Cosmetics & Toiletries is the definitive peer-reviewed resource for cosmetics science (and much of their content is freely accessible!). If you’re interested in cosmetic sciences, they are an excellent resource. Use this link to subscribe :). Thank you C&T for supporting this e-summit as our media partner!

Agenda (Stay tuned for the full schedule + speaker bios!)

Skin and Skincare - Separating Fact from Fiction, presented by Aegean Chan MD @draegeanchan

Safety - Separating Fact from Fiction, presented by Lisa Navarro PhD and Anne Chappelle PhD from Toxicology Education Foundation

Animal Testing - Separating Fact from Fiction, presented by Barae Jomaa PhD from Colonial Chemical

Environmental Impact - Separating Fact from Fiction, presented by Jen Novakovich @theecowell

Sunscreen - Separating Fact from Fiction, presented by Myriam Sohn PhD from BASF

Broader Policy Implications of Misinformation for Beauty, presented by Meredith Petillo and Akemi Ooka PhD from Independent Beauty Association

The Impact of Misinformation, presented by Andrea Love PhD @dr.andrealove

The Information Landscape - the Influencer POV, presented by James Welsh @james_s_welsh

Good Evidence?, presented by Lanesa Mahon @raya.faces

Cosmetic Claims and their Testing, presented by Rania Ibrahim, PhD from SkinScience Analytics

Research Fraud, Predatory Journals and Science Integrity, presented by Reese Richardson

Communicating Science, presented by Jess Stokes-Parish PhD @j_stokesparish

Brand Sci-Comm Strategies, sponsored presentation by Jeni Thomas PhD from Pantene and Head and Shoulders

Challenges of Beauty Scicomm, presented by Michelle Wong PhD @labmuffinbeautyscience

This event is an extension of the Truth in Beauty panels I’ve been moderating at conferences, which have been spearheaded by Independent Beauty Association. This one will be the full conference format! While you’re waiting for the Truth in Beauty E-Summit, tune into the replays of our previous panels!

NYSCC Suppliers Day, feat. Andrea Love PhD, Erica Douglas and Kenton Hipsher

Cali SCC Suppliers Day, feat. Javon Ford, Jane Tsui, Allison Tuquoise, and Valerie George

(Unfortunately we weren’t able to get a recording of the 2023 NYSCC Suppliers Day panel, sorry!)

IBA LA Live, feat. Esther Olu, Gloria Lu, Victoria Fu and Valerie George

Speaker Bios (Stay tuned for more!)

Aegean H. Chan, MD, FAAD is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, practicing in Santa Barbara, CA. She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Her area of clinical expertise is in complex medical dermatology, skin cancer, and acne. She has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed medical journals on the science of the skin barrier, electron microscopy, and congenital skin diseases. Dr. Chan is an advocate of minimalist, evidence-based, and effective skincare and uses her Instagram platform to provide relevant, useful skin education. For more skincare tips from Dr. Chan, check her out at @draegeanchan on Instagram or her website, aegeanmd.com.

Lisa Navarro, PhD, DABT, ERT has over 20 years of experience in product safety, compliance, and regulatory affairs, she is a trusted advisor and leader in my field. Lisa provides strategic guidance for the approval and ongoing stewardship of consumer goods across the globe, such as food, cosmetics, medical devices, and agri-chemicals. Certified by the American Board of Toxicology, and the European Registry of Toxicologists, Lisa has a proven track record of managing complex and diverse product safety issues, public speaking, and professional engagements. Lisa is currently a Principal at Ramboll, a global engineering, design, and consulting company, where she works with clients to ensure their products meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability. Lisa is also an adjunct instructor at Cincinnati State, where she teaches food policy, regulations, and compliance. Lisa is passionate about bridging the gap between commercial and scientific needs, and empowering her team, customers, and partners with sound decision-making and credible data. 

Anne Chappelle PhD, DABT is a Senior Managing Toxicologist at SafeBridge Regulatory and Life Sciences Group and has 25 years of experience as a toxicologist in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry performing risk assessments and generating data that serves to minimize potential adverse outcomes to workers, consumers, and the environment. She is a proud Blue Hen (AS’91), certified by the American Board of Toxicology and holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology (St. Joseph’s University).  Anne is passionate about science communication; she is the current co-host of the Society of Toxicology interview podcast Adverse Reactions (www.adversereactionspodcast.com), and has appeared in Tech Support answering poison questions from Twitter for Wired Magazine.)

Barae Jomaa, PhD, ERT, serves as a Principal Toxicologist and International Regulatory Lead at Colonial Chemical, Inc. With over 14 years of experience in toxicology, regulatory affairs, and scientific communication, he spearheads international regulatory initiatives at Colonial Chemical, Inc. These initiatives focus on safety assessments and substance registrations in accordance with global regulations. A European Registered Toxicologist (ERT), Dr. Jomaa holds a PhD in Toxicology. His doctoral research centered on the development of alternatives to animal testing. He has significantly contributed to the field, notably through the development of cutting-edge in vitro tests for thyroid disrupting compounds. A staunch advocate for animal welfare and environmental protection, Dr. Jomaa is passionate about scientific innovation. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of the Journal of the Netherlands Society of Toxicology (JNST). His scholarly contributions include various peer-reviewed papers on alternative testing methods. Additionally, he regularly authors and serves as the Editor in Chief for TCDD, the newsletter of the Netherlands Society of Toxicology

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 aging and fibroblast senescence.

Dr. Myriam Sohn gained her master’s degree in industrial cosmetology in 2002 in Lyon, France. She joined the technical service UV filters of Ciba Specialty Chemicals in 2002 and continued in the suncare field within BASF after the acquisition of Ciba in 2010. Since then, she has been working in the Global Technical Center Sun Care. During this period, she took over different positions, first as lab head, then as technical manager for dedicated customers and later as senior application technology scientist. In the meantime, she completed her doctoral studies at the University of Basel in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Today she is IP manager for the suncare field and involved in various research and application-oriented technical sun care topics as principal scientist.

Andrea Love PhD (in Microbiology and Immunology) is an immunologist and microbiologist with over a decade of experience in basic sciences, translational medicine, and clinical research. She is a subject-matter expert in infectious disease immunology, cancer immunology, and autoimmunity and is adept at translating complex scientific data and topics for the public and healthcare providers. Andrea works full-time in life science biotechnology in the fields of vaccinology, immunology, immunotherapy, cancer, cell and gene therapy, and more. She is the author of Immunologic, a newsletter and science information hub that communicates evidence-based information on science and health topics. Andrea is also the Executive Director of the American Lyme Disease Foundation, a columnist for Skeptical Inquirer, and was the 2023 American Medical Writers Association McGovern Award Recipient. Andrea is passionate about scientific literacy starting from an early age and encouraging children toward a career in STEM. She lives near Philly with my partner and our 7 rescue cats, and is a marathoner and ultramarathoner, a yogi, a black belt in judo, and an amateur wildlife photographer.

Jess Stokes Parish PhD is a nurse and educator who worked across a number of sectors and settings. In her role as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Service Quality at Bond University, she works with students to co-design curriculum and support initiatives in a tertiary setting. Jess holds a PhD in Medical Education and a Graduate Certificate in Science Communication. Jess is an active science communicator and an engaged health professions educator. She loves storytelling and reimagining evidence in ways that are easy to access and understand - including through use of social media. Jess is an advocate for inclusive practices in education and health care, and contributes a large portion of her time creating accessible science content for health professionals and general public alike.

James Welsh is a skincare enthusiast that not only reviews and tests skin and haircare products, he also takes a deeper dive in to those products, looking at ingredients and exploring problem areas for viewers helping to educate his audience on their purchases. Previously a stylist who worked for ASOS and Topman, James is your go to guy for personal grooming and self-care advice for both men and women. Alongside his social media channels James also has a podcast he hosts with his brother Robert called “The Double Cleanse”.

Rania Ibrahim PhD is the founder and President of Skin Science Analytics LLC, a CRO on a mission to help brands and entrepreneurs obtain the scientific backing they need to grow their businesses. With a Ph.D. from the prestigious University of Cincinnati’s Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science Program, she is the author of papers on skin permeation and drug delivery through the skin. Previously, Dr Ibrahim spent the last 10 years as Clinical Director of a leading CRO, and through her work with brands large and small established herself as a trusted expert,partner, and thought leader.

Michelle Wong Ph.D., is a science educator and cosmetic chemist with a PhD in medicinal chemistry. She's behind Lab Muffin Beauty Science, where she explains the science behind beauty products for a general audience. Founded in 2011, Lab Muffin Beauty Science receives 2 million page views per year, and has an Instagram following of 415 000 and a YouTube audience of 370 000. Through her science education work, Michelle has worked with a range of brands on campaigns, including Proctor & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson. Her work has been featured in international publications including New York Times and Chemical & Engineering News. Michelle is the author of the novel The Science of Beauty and also co-founder of the social enterprise BeautySciComm.

Meredith Petillo is the Senior Director of Technical & Regulatory Services at the non-profit trade association Independent Beauty Association.  Meredith leverages over 15 years of experience in cosmetic regulatory affairs, legal advertising claims, product testing and product development to support IBA member companies with regulatory and technical solutions in order to grow and thrive. She joined the Product Development team at Bare Escentuals where she established an in-house Regulatory Department. She was responsible for all regulatory compliance activities and product testing for the U.S. and international launches for bareMinerals, BUXOM and MDFormulations.  She then returned home to the East Coast working on North American Regulatory Affairs for Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic and Schick at Energizer (now Edgewell). She then joined Reckitt Benckiser’s Legal department as Advertising Claims Manager.  At RB, Meredith developed claims testing protocols, supported NAD challenges, and was responsible for legal approval of all claims and advertising materials for RB’s Health & Hygiene portfolios including Mucinex, Delsym, Air Wick, Lysol, Veet, Clearasil, Durex, among many others. Before joining the team at IBA, Meredith also provided regulatory and technical consulting services for cosmetics and personal care companies at Product Integrity Laboratory.  She holds a B.S. in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from the University of Richmond and an M.S. in Regulatory Affairs for Drugs, Biologics & Medical Devices from Northeastern University.

Akemi Ooka, Ph.D is the Head of Supply Chain and Sustainability Resources at the Independent Beauty Association. With over 20 years of CPG experience, from Fortune 500 companies to small startups, Akemi’s experience ranges from product development to sourcing and supply chain transformation.  Akemi has worked at The Clorox Company, method, and was most recently VP of Product at J.R. Watkins, overseeing development, quality, regulatory compliance, claim support, and third-party manufacturing oversight for hand care, personal care, home care, and OTC remedies. She now heads up the Independent Beauty Association’s (IBA) global supply chain and sustainability programming, supporting small to medium-sized businesses in the beauty and personal care sector. Akemi holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Reese Richardson is currently a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences at Northwestern University in the laboratory of Luis Amaral. His research focuses on reproducibility, bias and fraud in the scientific literature. He is specifically interested in using meta-scientific research approaches to better understand the commercial enterprise of scientific fraud, which includes businesses like predatory publishers, diploma mills, and paper mills. Reese writes on issues of scientific reproducibility regularly at reeserichardson.blog.

Jeni Thomas, Ph.D. is the Senior Director & Principal Scientist at P&G Hair. Jeni has been studying hair and scalp science for more than 17 years. Her fascination with hair began at age 13 when her once straight hair mysteriously turned curly. More than a decade later and after completing her Ph.D. studies in Analytical Chemistry, she turned her scientific curiosity to the world of hair. She learned that her teenage hair mystery could be explained, yet many other unanswered hair and scalp questions remained. Jeni’s work at P&G Beauty has included research and partnerships with experts around the world to deepen our scientific and consumer understanding across all topics related to hair and scalp health. Throughout her career, Jeni has designed studies to answer common hair & scalp questions (e.g. does rinsing your hair in cold water really give you better shine?), published research on a range of hair & scalp topics, and co-founded a new brand focused on improving scalp condition to improve hair retention. She now leads P&G Hair’s Global Scientific Communication and Education programs to provide women and men with the information they are seeking for their best hair and scalp results.

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. Jen is also the co-founder of the scicomm social enterprise BeautySciComm.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUMMIT SPONSORS FOR HELPING US KEEP THIS EVENT FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE!

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