Join us for our Chapter Student Night and Officer Installation, featuring PhD candidate and cosmetic chemist Ava Perkins as she shares actionable guidance on breaking into the cosmetic science industry and leveraging science communication to build a successful career. Attendees will gain valuable insights on navigating professional organizations, finding networking opportunities, and connecting with industry peers as we celebrate student achievement and install our new chapter officers.

Date: Thursday, November 12th

Time: 5:30 - 9:00 pm

• 5:30 - 6:30 pm - Networking
• 6:30 pm - Dinner
• 7:00 pm - Speaker Presentation

Venue Information: Graduate by Hilton Cincinnati

151 Goodman Street, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45219

Registration: OVSCC Student Night + Officer Installation Featuring Ava Perkins

Speaker Bio

Ava Perkins is a cosmetic chemist and fourth-year PhD candidate in Biomembrane Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design from the University of Toledo. Ava is passionate about making cosmetic science accessible, fun, and engaging through educational social media content and speaking engagements. She is also actively involved in the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, having served as the 2024 NextGen Chair and volunteering in initiatives that support student engagement and the future of the cosmetic science industry. Through her work, she hopes to bridge the gap between cosmetic science, the beauty industry, and consumers.

Presentation Overview

Breaking into the cosmetic science industry can feel overwhelming, especially when you're still a student trying to figure out where you fit in and how to get started. In this presentation, Ava will share practical advice, resources, and opportunities for students looking to build their careers in cosmetic science, from getting involved in professional organizations to finding ways to gain experience and make connections. She'll also discuss the importance of science communication, how to translate scientific knowledge for different audiences, and how developing these skills can open doors both within and beyond the traditional career path.

The OVSCC is excited to partner with the LESCC to host our third quarterly meeting and social event! quarterly meeting and networking social! Join us for an engaging afternoon at kdc/one Groveport, featuring a hands-on formulation demonstration, followed by an evening of networking and friendly competition at Topgolf Columbus.

Date: Thursday, September 17th

Time:

Formulation Demonstation: 1:30 - 4:30 pm

• Please arrive at 1:30 pm to allow for time to get through security
• Formulation demonstration will start at 2:00 pm

Travel from KDC to Polaris: 4:30 - 5:30 pm

Top Golf: 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Venue Information:

Formulation Day: 4400 S Hamilton Rd, Groveport, OH 43125

Topgolf: 2000 Ikea Wy, Columbus, OH 43240

Register here: OVSCC Formulation Day and Top Golf 

Event Highlights

• Hands-On Formulation Workshop: Create your own mochi cleanser while learning formulation techniques from formulation expert Valeria Rivera.
• Ingredient Spotlights: Participating suppliers will showcase their featured ingredients and explain their functionality throughout the formulation process.
• Fully Equipped Laboratory: All batching equipment and laboratory supplies will be provided by kdc/one.
• Safety First: Safety glasses will be provided, although attendees are welcome to bring their own.
• Networking Opportunity: Continue the conversation after the formulation session with food, networking, and golf at Topgolf.
• Flexible Attendance: Can't attend both sessions? You're welcome to register for either the formulation workshop or the Topgolf networking social—or join us for both!

Required Attire

For the formulation demonstration, attendees must wear:

• Closed-toe shoes
• Long pants
• Safety glasses (provided if needed)

If you are bringing a bag to the Formulation Day portion, please only bring clear bags to aid in the security check.

 &

The OVSCC is excited to host our second quarterly meeting of 2026 at Fretboard Brewing. We welcome all members to join us for a night of dinner, drinks, and a tech talk!

Date:

Tuesday, June 16th

Time:

5 pm - 9 pm

Venue Information:

Fretboard Brewing

5800 Creek Rd Cincinnati, OH

Register here: OVSCC at Fretboard Brewing

Presentation Details:

Title: Cellular Wellness & Longevity: Protecting the Mitochondrial Network using Biotechnology 

Presenter: Melissa Bergman 

Company: Solabia USA 

Skin aging and its visible signs, such as wrinkles, dark spots, and dull complexion, result  from disruptions in key biological processes. As the conversation in beauty shifts from  reversing visible signs of aging toward promoting skin longevity, there is increasing  emphasis on supporting these biological functions and protecting the cells against  environmental stressors.  

The hallmarks of aging provide an array of possible targets for protecting and supporting  cellular functioning, including the mitochondrial network. The mitochondrial network of the  cell is the system responsible for energy production as well as a key player in regulating  stress responses and maintaining homeostasis. While mitochondrial health is not a brand  new target for cosmetic active ingredients, updated understandings of mitochondrial  dynamics and cellular functioning provide new perspectives into how an active ingredient  can support the well-being of the cell and ultimately, its longevity. 

To demonstrate the connection between mitoc

The OVSCC is excited to host our our first meeting of 2026 at Dead Low Brewing with guest speaker Dr. Chao Zhu from Momentive. We welcome all members to join us for a night of dinner, drinks, and a tech talk!

Time:

5 pm - 9 pm

Venue Information:

Dead Low Brewing, Cincinnati, Ohio

5959 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230

Register here: Eventbrite - OVSCC Q1 Technical Meeting at Dead Low Brewing - Featuring Dr. Chao Zhu 

Presenter Details & Bio:

Title: Silicones (Elastomer, D5, Particles) Replacement

Bio: Dr. Chao Zhu joined Momentive in 2017 and currently serves as the AMR Marketing Manager for the Beauty and Personal Care business. He brings more than a decade of experience from L’Oreal USA and ISP/Ashland, where he worked across R&D, formulation, and application teams to develop and scout products/technologies for hair care, skin care, sun care, and color cosmetics. With a strong foundation in polymer science, supported by his doctoral degree, he brings a blend of scientific depth and market insight to beauty and personal care market.

The OVSCC is excited to host our Student Night at Newport Aquarium with guest speaker Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson from Procter & Gamble. We welcome students from The University of Toledo and The University of Cincinnati to this fun event filled with cosmetic science education, networking, and fish!

Time:

6pm-10pm

Location Details: 

Newport Aquarium

1 Levee Way

Newport, KY 41071

Register Here: 

OVSCC Student Night at Newport Aquarium Tickets, Wed, Nov 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite