3:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Session D: Biotechnology Tools Transforming Cosmetics

Sponsored by Chinese American Cosmetic Professional Association

Transforming Cosmetics Through AI- and Synthetic Biology–Enabled Precision Fermentation of Bio-Based Ingredients

Presented by Prof. Dr. Jixun Zhan (Viablife Biotech)

Dr. Junxiang Li is Deputy Director of the AGECODE R&D Center at the Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University. He earned his Ph.D. from the School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua University in 2017 and completed postdoctoral training there. His research background spans bioinformatics, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Since 2018, he has focused on discovering, developing, and applying active ingredients for efficacy-driven skincare, using AI-enabled computational biology to advance ingredient innovation. Dr. Li has extensive experience in the development and translation of innovative protein, peptide, and other bioactive ingredients. He has published nearly 20 SCI-indexed papers and holds nearly 20 granted invention patents. He is a member of the International Federation of Societies of Cosmetic Chemists (IFSCC).

siRNA-Guided Target Validation and Proteomic Profiling for Mechanistic Assessment of Cosmetic Actives

Presented by Huifang Li (University of Rhode Island)

Huifang Li, Ph.D., is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. Her research focuses on evaluating natural and cosmetic actives for skin health, with particular emphasis on inflammation, oxidative stress, ferroptosis, extracellular matrix protection, and mechanisms of action. She has extensive experience in cell-based efficacy screening, LC–MS/MS proteomics, analytical chemistry, and molecular target validation. Her work integrates phenotypic assays, proteomic profiling, and targeted molecular approaches to identify bioactive compounds and determine the pathways underlying their effects. At SCC80, Dr. Li will discuss how proteomic profiling and siRNA-based target validation can be integrated to strengthen the mechanistic assessment of cosmetic actives. She is particularly interested in translating advanced research tools into practical strategies for cosmetic ingredient evaluation and product development, bridging academic discovery with innovation in the personal care industry.

Microbiome-Activated Recombinant Collagens: A Programmable Discovery Platform for Scenario-Directed Bioactive Peptides

Presented by Junxiang LI 

Dr. Xin Sun is Director of the Institute of Life Science Materials Application at Bloomage Biotechnology. He earned a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Oxford, UK, and both an M.Eng. and a B.Sc. in Applied Chemistry from Peking University, China. A seasoned expert in bioactive ingredients, Dr. Sun previously served as an R&D Manager at Procter & Gamble. His research focuses on the applications and mechanisms of bioactive materials, including hyaluronic acid, ergothioneine, and sialic acid, across skincare, nutrition, oral care, hair care, medical aesthetics, and ophthalmic and orthopedic medical devices. He also drives innovation in biomanufacturing and the translation of cross-disciplinary technologies. Dr. Sun has filed more than 30 patents and published over 30 papers in journals such as ACS Omega, Food & Function, and Dalton Transactions. He is also a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences.

Precision Indoor Farming for High-Performance Cosmetic Actives: Insights from Perilla frutescens

Presented by Estelle Loing (Næmos)

With a strong background in cellular biology, Dr. Estelle Loing has established herself as a leader in the development of novel ingredients and technologies. She holds a Ph.D in cellular biology from Pasteur Institute and Tübingen University. Throughout her career, she has worked for major companies, including Lucas Meyer Cosmetics, where she served as Global R&D Director in Canada from 2008 to 2020, and then IFF, where she held the position of Global Scent Technology & Innovation Director in New York from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, she joined Næmos as CEO, a company specializing in sustainable active ingredients developed from indoor farming technology. Dr. Loing has published over 30 scientific papers and several patents and has made significant contributions to the development and commercialization of numerous active and functional cosmetic ingredients. Her work has driven innovation and excellence in the field, and she continues to be a leader in industry.