PCPC 2025 Science Symposium & Expo

The Personal Care Products Council’s Science Symposium & Expo is set for October 28 & 29, 2029 at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City. The event enables attendees to join leading voices from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), academia, the medical community and other notable experts. This immersive two-day event offers the latest breakthroughs in microbiology and environmental science, and dives into timely discussions on key issues in safety and quality. To register, visit: personalcarecouncil.org

Attendees have the opportunity to:
• Engage with industry experts during sessions.
• Visit the Expo to ask questions about the challenges you and your company are facing.
• Find the right partners to help with practical solutions and generate ideas to address your key issues.

Here’s a look at the agenda.

Tuesday, October 28

MICROBIOLOGY

8am: Networking Breakfast
8:30-8:45am: Opening Remarks, Tom Myers, president and CEO, PCPC
8:45-9:35am: Keynote, “FDA’s Regulatory Framework for Cosmetics and Implementation of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act,” Dr. Steven Kozlowski, acting chief scientist, FDA
9:35-10:05am: Break with Exhibitors
10:05-10:55am: “Water System Compliance—Are You Audit Ready?” Dennis Neeson, senior quality manager, Colgate-Palmolive
10:55-11:05am: Break with Exhibitors
11:05-11:55am: “Hygienic Failures in Automated Cleaning System, Prevention and Detection,” Bryan Downer, VP-sales and marketing, Sani-Matic
11:55am-1:25pm: Networking Lunch
1:25-2:15pm: “Microbial Challenges of Environmental Isolates in the Cosmetic Industry,” Andress Johnson, technical manager, Thor Specialties
2:15-2:45pm: Break with Exhibitors
2:45-3:35pm: “Unlocking the Potential of the Microbiome,” Dr. Samantha Samaras, SVP-science & technology & clinicals – personal care, Unilever
3:35-4:25pm: “Accelerated Product Design of Safer and Eco-friendly Consumer Products through Expert Formulation Science Guided AI/Machine Learning,” Dr. Samiul Amin, University of Miami
4:25-4:45pm: Closing Remarks & Early Career Microbiologist Award Ceremony, Joyce Lam, senior manager, science programs, PCPC and Dennis Neeson, senior quality manager, Colgate-Palmolive
4:45-6:15pm: Reception

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

8am: Networking Breakfast
8:30-8:45am: Opening Remarks, Tom Myers, president and CEO, PCPC
8:45-9:35am: Keynote, “FDA’s Regulatory Framework for Cosmetics and Implementation of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act,” Dr. Steven Kozlowski, acting chief scientist, FDA
9:35-10:05am: Break with Exhibitors
10:05-10:55am: “Environmental Risk Assessment 101,” Dr. Donald Versteeg
10:55-11:05am: Break with Exhibitors
11:05-11:55am: “Wastewater Treatment,” William Goodfellow Jr, practice director & principal scientist, Exponent
11:55am-1:25pm: Networking Lunch
1:25-2:15pm: “Scientific Issues Associated with Use of QACs in Personal Care,” Thomas G. Osimitz PhD, president & principal toxicologist, Science Strategies
2:15-2:45pm: Break with Exhibitors
2:45-3:35pm: “Characterization and Detection of Microplastics in Consumer Products and the Environment,” Dr. Win Cowger, research director, Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research
3:35-4:25pm: “Communicating Science and Risk—Lessons from Chemical Risk Evaluation and Management Under TSCA,” Dr. Suzanne Hartigan, senior director of regulatory and scientific affairs, American Chemistry Council
4:25-4:45pm: Closing Remarks
4:45-6:15pm: Reception

Wednesday, October 29

SAFETY

7:30-8:30am: Networking Breakfast
8:30-8:35am: Opening Remarks, Tom Myers, president and CEO, PCPC
8:35-9:35am: Keynote, “MoCRA – Key Compliance Strategies,” Dr. Jannavi Srinivasan, Dr. Janet Zhang and Dr. Goran Periz, FDA
9:35-10:05am: Break with Exhibitors
10:05-10:55am: “Understanding Exposure in Risk Assessment?” Dr. Anne Mar Api, Research Institute of Fragrance Materials (RIFM), Dr. Benjamin PC Smith, Monell Chemical Senses Center; Dr. Sean Hays, SciPinion
10:55-11:05am: Break with Exhibitors
11:05-11:55am: “Managing External Risks” Dr. Sean Hays, SciPinion
11:55am-1:25pm: Networking Lunch
1:25-2:15pm: “Botanical Safety Assessment,” Dr. Anne Mar Api, Research Institute of Fragrance Materials (RIFM); Connie Mitchell, Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI); Dr. Bart Heldreth, executive director, Cosmetic Ingredient Review
2:15-2:45pm: Break with Exhibitors
2:45-3:35pm: “Toxicology Hot Topics,” Dr. Daniele Wikoff, chief scientific officer, ToxStrategies
3:35-4:25pm: “Clinical Studies for Cosmetics,” Dr. Neena Tierney, global head of translational science, Kenvue
4:25-4:30pm: Closing Remarks

QUALITY

7:30-8:30am: Networking Breakfast
8:30-8:35am: Opening Remarks, Tom Myers, president and CEO, PCPC
8:35-9:35am: Keynote, “MoCRA – Key Compliance Strategies,” Dr. Jannavi Srinivasan, Dr. Janet Zhang and Dr. Goran Periz, FDA
9:35-10:05am: Break with Exhibitors
10:05-10:55am: “Engagement Through Quality Agreements,” Paula R. Katz, counsel, Covington & Burling LLP
10:55-11:05am: Break with Exhibitors
11:05am-11:55am: “Artificial Intelligence—The New Frontier,” Frank Klucznik, CEO/founder, Bridgewell Advisory
11:55am-1:25pm: Networking Lunch
1:25-2:15pm: “MoCRA: The Path Forward,” Jessica P. O’Connell and Tom Cosgrove, partners, Covington & Burling LLP
2:15-2:45pm: Break with Exhibitors
2:45-3:35pm: “Practical Approaches to Cleaning and Validation,” Steve Riedell, Procter & Gamble; Susan Youngquist, Ecolab; Cathleen Owen, Q Laboratories; Tim King, PLZ; Alonza Cruz, ex-FDA
3:35-4:25pm: “Artificial Intelligence as a Quality Tool,” Frank Klucznik, CEO/founder, Bridgewell Advisory
4:25-4:30pm: Closing Remarks

         More info: PCPC, personalcarecouncil.org