ABSTRACTS AND BIOS:

Kent Peel  and Panos Panagiotakopoulos— Seneca Polytechnic

Title: AI That Actually Helps: A Practical Guide for Everyday Work

Abstract: Artificial intelligence is surrounded by both hype and fear. Some people expect it to solve every problem while others worry it will replace their jobs. Most professionals are left wondering where the technology is genuinely useful. This session provides a practical framework for thinking about AI and identifying opportunities to use it effectively. Drawing on real-world examples from education, business, and professional services, we will explore how AI can help individuals work more efficiently by accelerating research, improving communication, supporting decision-making, and reducing routine administrative work.

Participants will learn a simple model for evaluating AI use cases, understand the strengths and limitations of today's tools, and leave with practical ideas they can apply immediately in their own work. Bio: After practising in employment law, Kent joined Seneca Polytechnic as a part-time professor. He never left, becoming a full-time faculty member. He has acted as lead professor, program coordinator, member of the Research Ethics Board, and field placement co-ordinator, embracing all that EdTech offered along the way. He returned to his engineering roots when he joined the Vice-President Academic’s area as one of Seneca Polytechnic’s two AI Thought Leaders in 2024, a position he still holds. Through the role, he has consulted and co-created with polytechnic faculty and administration to help bring GenAI to people’s workflows. A high-energy presenter and trainer, his external consulting through the polytechnic has led to talks at conferences for post-secondary educators and before fact-finding government and banking officials, as well as conducting AI workshops in mining, software development, airport administration, and with business groups.

Bio: Panos co-leads the AI Lab at Seneca, where he holds the position of GenAI Thought Leader.  He has also been working in sustainability for over 15 years, helping various organizations adopt sustainable practices. He has experience in different sectors, such as finance, agriculture, real estate, construction, and retail, where he has helped develop and implement sustainability strategies. He is the founder of Close the Loop, a consulting firm that focuses on climate change, life cycle assessment, and business modelling. He also co-founded Carbon One, an innovative Canadian climate tech company that helps businesses calculate the carbon footprint of their food and beverage products. Panos has a Ph.D. in Corporate Sustainability from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and has published several academic papers on sustainable business design. In addition, Panos is a professor of sustainability management at Seneca College and teaches sustainability and business design at OCAD University.  

 

Title: AI and the Formulation Chemist, What Changes When AI Becomes a Scientific Coworker?  

Abstract: Artificial intelligence has evolved from a question answering, text generation, tool into something that can search scientific literature, analyze documents and data, write code, use software and carry out multi step tasks with increasing independence. For formulation chemists, this creates opportunities in a wide variety of tasks like ingredient research, competitive analysis, formula development, troubleshooting, and more. At the same time, AI is still not completely reliable as it invents information, misunderstands requests, is heavily reliant on marketing information for its knowledge and more. This webinar will examine what the latest AI systems can realistically do for formulation scientists today, where they still fall short, and how the role of the cosmetic chemist may change as AI becomes a routine part of scientific work. After attending this talk you will be able to: Identify where today’s AI tools can provide real value for cosmetic industry professionals  Recognize the limitations of AI generated information  Apply AI more effectively to your own formulation process  

 

Bio: Perry Romanowski is an independent cosmetic chemistry who has spent the past 30 years developing formulas in the personal care and cosmetic industry. His primary focus has been on hair and hair-related products.  He is currently vice president of Element 44 Inc which specialized in science education. He conducts an online course called Practical Cosmetic Formulating that provides cosmetic chemists continuing education across a broad range of formula categories.  He is currently Vice President of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC). Previously, Romanowski worked for Alberto Culver, last serving as a senior project leader for hair care innovation. Additionally, he has made appearances on popular TV  shows including the Dr. Oz show and the Rachel Ray show.

 

Title: AI and Nanoscale Imaging to Quantify Collagen Changes in Aging Skin

Abstract: Collagen is a key structural component of skin and plays an important role in its strength, organization, and mechanical properties. With aging, collagen undergoes structural changes, including loss of fibrillar organization, altered alignment, and disruption of its nanoscale architecture. Quantifying these changes is important for understanding skin aging and evaluating interventions that target collagen structure. This presentation introduces an approach combining Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and artificial intelligence to quantitatively assess collagen architecture in human skin. AFM provides nanoscale images of collagen fibrils, while convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are trained using expert-annotated images to recognize patterns of collagen organization and disruption. Once trained, the model can analyze thousands of image regions and convert qualitative observations into reproducible quantitative measurements. Predictions can also be mapped across tissue samples to visualize and compare different collagen structural states. This approach provide an objective tool for studying collagen remodeling and, in the future, support the evaluation of cosmetic ingredients, formulations, and other interventions targeting age-related changes in skin structure. 

Bio: Dr. Mina Vaez is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto with expertise in collagen, skin tissue engineering, and AI-based image analysis. She earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto, where she developed collagenbased skin substitutes for tissue repair and investigated the structural properties of collagen. Building on this foundation, her current research applies deep learning techniques to nanoscale collagen images to better understand collagen organization, tissue remodeling, and age-related changes in skin.

 

Title: "Anti-Algorithm”

Abstract: Once a behind-the-scenes tool designed to make life simpler and more personalized, the algorithm has become a powerful force that shapes – and sometimes distorts people’s identity and worldview. Consumers must navigate the convenience they gain against the protection, empowerment,  and self-expression they risk losing. Brands will have to decide whether their purpose is to empower people or simply feed the algorithm. Bio: Meghan Ross is a Senior Analyst at Mintel, where she delivers forward-looking insights on the Canadian Beauty and Personal Care market. Drawing on nearly two decades of market research experience spanning beauty, healthcare, CPG and beyond, she pairs quantitative analysis with a rich qualitative understanding to reveal what truly drives consumer decisions. Meghan holds an MA in Anthropology from the University of Toronto and a BA in Anthropology from Laurentian University, a background that shapes her people-first approach to research. Endlessly curious, she loves connecting the dots between how consumers feel and how they behave. Title : Formulating the Future Abstract: Dr. Carla O’Connor, Senior Director, Clinical Research at DECIEM, will explore the evolving intersection of cosmetic science and artificial intelligence, sharing how DECIEM is leveraging AI across clinical research and scientific innovation. The session will offer a look at where AI can accelerate discovery, enhance how we understand skin, and shape the future of evidence-driven beauty.  

Bio: Carla holds a BSc in Biotechnology and a PhD in colorectal cancer cell death. With over a decade in skincare research, she leads DECIEM’s Clinical Research team, guiding product concept evaluation, study design, claims development, and innovative biomarker and penetration analysis to ensure robust, science-driven product validation. 

 

 

Table Top Exhibits available to elevate your brand and connect directly with formulators, manufacturers, educators, and industry leaders. Includes a premium display table in the networking area, visibility throughout the full education day, and one complimentary admission. Ideal for suppliers, service providers, testing labs, packaging companies, and innovators looking to highlight new technologies or launches.

Cost: $250 per table

Contact: kashif@vivachem.ca