Honouring cosmetic science excellence 

Dr Oliver Hofmann,
in-cosmetics Asia Official Technical Advisor and Technical Director, Shieling Laboratories 

Oliver heads the technical department of Shieling Laboratories, a contract manufacturer, developing and manufacturing for over 250 different cosmetic brands. Oliver studied chemistry in Frankfurt, Germany  to a Master’s Degree and then moved to New Zealand to complete his PhD in Biochemistry. Oliver joined the personal care space 22 years ago where he designs and formulates new products, manages the up-scaling process, and supports the engineering team with the design of specialised equipment.

Dr Awanthi De Silva, (PhD, CChem MRACI),
NPD Lead (Senior Chemist), Moorebank aerosol fillers

Awanthi obtained her PhD from UOW, Wollongong in Australia, is published in peer reviewed material journals & is a reviewer for RSC journals. During her 18+ years tenure in R&D with manufacturers, research institutes, universities & luxury brands, she has developed 100+ new formulation types to commercialization ranging from personal care to cosmetics, fine fragrance, aerosols to therapeutic hydrogels. She is currently the NPD Lead (Senior Chemist) for Moorebank aerosol fillers and an independent R&D consultant.

John Jimenez,
Senior Researcher, Belcorp 

John Jiménez is a pharmacist from the National University of Colombia with a Master's in sustainable development and specialization studies in marketing, cosmetic science and neuromarketing. He is a prolific writer, having contributed to 30 publications worldwide and he has received countless, prestigious industry awards. He also speaks at various international conferences in Europe and Latin America. He joined Belcorp in 2005 and is currently serving as Senior Researcher for skincare, suncare and personal care categories.

Kilala Tilaar,
CEO, Martha Tilaar Group

In addition to being its CEO, Kilala Tilaar is also the Chairman of Corporate Creative and Innovative of the Martha Tilaar Group, one of the largest natural beauty companies in Indonesia.  He focuses the Group’s research activities on natural, organic, halal and sustainable products based on the richness of Indonesia’s biodiversity and marine resources.  He also actively published scientific journals on cosmetics ingredients and received more than 30 cosmetics ingredients patents.

Muriel Pujos,
Technical and Scientific Director, Skin Care, Coty Monaco

Muriel Pujos is head of active ingredients innovation for the new developments & innovation at Coty from skin to sun, make-up & body. She is also responsible for the scientific communication of Lancaster, COVERGIRL Skincare, Philosophy, etc. A Doctor in Pharmacy, she has spent the past 25 years applying her visionary scientific approach and expertise turning clinical science into exceptional, everyday beauty care with a focus on skin ageing, sun damage and make up. 

Pi Hyun Jung (a.k.a Director Pi),
The Phi Essential

Pi Hyun Jung is a former beauty editor and was once a host on Korean beauty shows. She is a beauty columnist who has consulted many domestic and foreign brands on product development. She first introduced CC Cream to Korea and was Creative Brand Director for Olive Young.  Director Pi runs a YouTube channel, ‘Director Pi’, which recommends ingredient-oriented cosmetics, and also has her own cosmetic brand ‘The Phi Essential’, which sells in Olive Young and Market Curly.

Ranelle Anderson,
Technical Director and Co-Founder, Ausmetix Pty Ltd

A graduate from Melbourne’s Monash University with a degree in Formulation Science with a placement in France, Ranelle has been formulating for the past 15 years. She began in the dermatology industry working for GSK before crossing over to the cosmetics industry. With a focus on innovative skincare formulation and development, Ranelle approaches work with sincerity and ethical consideration for both client and consumer at Ausmetix, a personal care manufacturing/consultancy company based in Australia.

Seongmin (Mike) Sohn,
CEO & Representative Consultant, REACH24H Consulting Group, Korea

Mike manages a global regulation compliance consulting service including chemicals, cosmetics, food, pharmaceuticals as well as market research globally. He has experience in beauty, beauty devices and pharmaceuticals. He has contributed to many interviews, TV programs, magazines and reports as KOL of the market. Mike also wrote the “K-wave white paper 2018 and 2019” and co-authored the industry analysis and forecast. He believes that trends, regulations and market shifts should go together.

Stacey Fraser (DipFormChem),
Co-Founder, Products Director, SAGE COLLECTIVE

With more than 20 years’ experience in the beauty and cosmetics industry, Stacey understands the importance of ingredient selection, packaging, branding, consumer expectations and sustainability. Stacey is a Design Practice Teaching Fellow for the School of Product Design at University of Canterbury and a board member at Cosmetics New Zealand and is highly connected in the ingredients and formulations industries. She is passionate about following curiosity, anticipating trends and acknowledging sustainability.