SCS Annual Conference 2026

Dr James P. Ewen is a Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) Research Fellow in the Tribology Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). James uses supercomputers to study solid-liquid interfaces with molecular simulations. He studies complex formulations to identify links between their nanoscale behaviour and macroscale performance. His research is highly interdisciplinary in nature and is of direct relevance to industry. In 2022, he received the inaugural Wen Shizhu Maple Leaf Award – International Young Scholar Award from the Stake Key Laboratory of Tribology at Tsinghua University. In 2020, he was awarded a RAEng Research Fellowship for the project ‘Controlling Friction through Molecular Engineering’. He was awarded the Innovation in Tribology Award by the Institute of Physics (IOP) in 2019 and the Tribology Bronze Medal in 2018 by the IMechE. In 2017, he received a Doctoral Prize Fellowship from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). In the same year, he was awarded the Margaret Fishenden Centenary Memorial Prize for the best PhD Thesis in the Department of Mechanical Engineering over the previous five-year period.

Bhaven is a researcher at Croda, focusing on Skin Care and Solar Protection. His research particularly centres around understanding how individual formulation ingredients interact with each other to provide different final formulation efficacies and, in turn, consumer experience. Bhaven has 16 years of experience working in the industry, and he obtained his PhD from the Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Department at the University of Bradford, which was a part of the Centre of Skin Sciences.

Ana Filipa Calado brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and industry insight to her job as Recruitment Director at Arthur Edward Associates. With an MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, Ana Filipa gained hands-on experience as Pharmacist at a luxury Lisbon pharmacy. In this role she developed a keen interest in beauty brands, products, and the full development process. Moving to London in 2015, Ana Filipa launched her career in executive search and recruitment, joining Arthur Edward Associates, who specialise in the beauty and personal care industry. With her scientific background and deep understanding of technical, research, and regulatory areas, Ana Filipa is happy to share valuable insights into the diverse opportunities available in this dynamic field.

Amal is Professor of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sunderland. Prof. Elkordy has a degree in Pharmacy and an MPhil in Pharmaceutical Technology, she obtained her PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology from the School of Pharmacy, University of Bradford. She published a significant number of papers in the field of pharmaceutics, based on her experience in nanomedicines, antioxidants, and niosomal/liposomal delivery systems. Amal supervised many PhD students to their successful completion, and she designed MSc Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharmaceutical Formulations which is one of the few masters courses in the UK that covers biopharmaceuticals as well as pharmaceuticals. Prof. Elkordy acted as external examiner for more than 20 PhD examinations at different universities in the UK and for 23 research theses abroad.

Alain Moga is a seasoned life sciences professional with over two decades of experience. He holds a degree in chemical engineering with a specialization in cosmetics and pharma/biotech. Based in France, he co-founded Synelvia in 2009 and currently serves as the Sales Director and Head of Dermocosmetics at QIMA Life Sciences.

Pedro Ventura as over 15 years’ experience in formulation development across different sectors, with a main focus in the Agrochemical, Healthcare and Personal Care sectors. He has a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico – University of Lisbon (Portugal), which gave him the tools needed to approach problems both from the chemistry science side and the industrial application side. During his career he helped to develop different products with a single or multiple active ingredients in several formulation types (solid form, liquid form, being them single phase or multi-phase, water and non-water based), gaining a good experience in a wide range of formulation processes (wet-milling, dry-milling, low-pressure extrusion, spray dryer granulation, mixing and emulsification processes). Being currently in the Healthcare & LifeSciences – Formulations group at Lucideon, Pedro is involved in projects aiming formulations optimisation and development, identifying critical formulation processing steps which require more control, and understanding any existing problem to provide a suitable solution.

Marc Pissavini is an internationally recognised expert in sun protection science and evaluation methodologies. He is currently Director of Skin Care Basic Research and Visiting Professor at Montpellier University, with extensive experience in the development, validation and standardisation of sunscreen testing methods at European and international level, notably within ISO, CEN and Cosmetics Europe. He has authored numerous peer‑reviewed scientific publications on UV exposure, SPF and UVA assessment, in vitro methods and real‑life relevance of sun protection, and regularly contributes as a speaker to major international scientific congresses in cosmetic and photoprotection science.

Ben has a technical background in chemistry & laboratory automation and leads external engagement for the MIF. He promotes commercial access to the Open Access Area, and works with government, corporates, SMEs, and start-ups to build successful research partnerships with academic investigators.

Professor Tarl Prow has had a distinguished career in scientific research and academia, focusing on dermatology, nanomedicine, and molecular pathology. Beginning with a postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, he advanced to teaching and expanded his research into diabetes and sickle cell retinopathy. At the University of Queensland, he developed microdevices for skin research and later joined the University of South Australia, focusing on skin cancer technologies. Currently, he serves as the Director of the Skin Research Centre at Hull York Medical School and Associate Dean at the University of York, UK. His research emphasizes minimally invasive technologies like microbiopsy for patient-friendly skin sampling and targeted drug delivery systems. Professor Prow is now pioneering the translation of microbiopsy data into a digital twin for advanced skin research.

Glyn joined Unilever in 1991 after graduating with a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Liverpool. During his 32 years in Unilever he has worked in a variety of roles – from fundamental research to in market deployment across most of Unilever’s markets and categories – Chemicals, Deodorants, Fabric Conditioners, Laundry, Oral Care and Hair Care – where he spent over 10 years. Glyn is currently head of R&D for Unilever’s 6 Billion Euro Hair Care business. Glyn has authored many papers ranging from understanding new catalytic processes for production of key raw materials to understanding the inner working of the sweat gland, and currently holds over 35 patents. Glyn is married with two children and his hobbies include football, rugby and cricket. He is an avid supporter of both Liverpool Football Club and the Welsh Rugby Union Team.