Speaker Biography

Loïc Colomb is a professional with close to 20 years of experience across instrumental, clinical and data-driven product assessment. As Chief Customer Officer at QIMA Life Sciences, he works with clients to build an implementation plan that identifies the evidence a study should generate, then formulates it into an outline protocol, standard or custom, that satisfies both operational and regulatory demands. He is also responsible for continuously improving internal processes and product development, and for leading innovation projects from conception to delivery. Loïc brings combined expertise in clinical assessment, image analysis and the underlying data in cosmetic research, with a focus on the evidential rigor of methods supporting product claims.

Speaker Biography

Liz Whitman is Founder and CEO of Exponent Beauty, a clinical skincare company pioneering “activated skincare”—keeping fragile actives in dry, anhydrous form until the moment of use to deliver them at peak potency. Trained in cosmetic chemistry through SCC, Whitman is the first-named inventor on Exponent’s issued delivery-system patents and has commercialized the technology with Exponent Beauty, found at spas, medspas, Bluemercury and Nordstrom. Whitman’s research examines active-ingredient potency in finished products, including antioxidant degradation and vitamin C derivatives. She is now advancing bioavailability through a patent-pending transdermal platform, designed to deliver high-molecular-weight actives such as peptides deeper into skin to 8,000 microns. She also created The Exponent Standard, an evidence-based framework for evaluating skincare efficacy and a Substack focused on skincare science for the average consumer. Whitman holds degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Business School and was a 2024 BeautyMatter NEXT Innovator of the Year finalist.

Speaker Biography

Thomas Davies holds a B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Science, an M.Sc. in Biotechnology, and a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Manchester, where his research focused on keratin fiber science and the structure–property relationships of keratin fibers. He subsequently completed postdoctoral research at the University of Leeds, collaborating with industry partners on keratin fiber and textile technologies. In 2021, Thomas joined Dia-Stron as Applications Manager, leading application testing services and working with global cosmetic and consumer goods companies on hair performance testing and claims substantiation. Following Dia-Stron’s acquisition by Bossa Nova Vision in 2023, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he is now Business Development and Applications Manager. His work bridges scientific research and industrial application through the development of visual and mechanical measurement technologies for hair science. He has authored scientific publications and presented internationally on topics including shine measurement, cyclic combing, fiber mechanics, and inclusive approaches to evaluating diverse hair types and textures.

Speaker Biography

Ronie Schmelz is a partner in the firm's Commercial Disputes practice group. Ronie is a seasoned litigator who has spent decades representing clients in litigation and now spends much of her time counseling clients on best practices to stay out of litigation. She counsels consumer brand companies, including cosmetic and personal care, food and supplement companies, on litigation-avoidance strategies so they can confidently focus on building and operating their businesses in ways that reduce the risk of regulatory oversight, consumer challenge, and litigation. A prominent member in the cosmetics industry, Ronie serves on the Independent Beauty Association's (IBA) board as vice chair of the executive committee, as well as chair of the IBA's government and public relations committee. She is also on the board of Beauty Industry West (BIW) where she chairs the legal and regulatory committee.