Celebrating women and girls in science: LCF’s Gabriela Daniels wins Martha Schwarzkopf Award
- Written byS Cheevers
- Published date 11 February 2026
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The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated this week on 11 February, highlights and celebrates the role of women and girls in research. Gabriela Daniels, Director of Science Programmes at Fashion Business School, London College of Fashion (LCF), UAL, has been awarded the Henkel Martha Schwarzkopf Award in the 'Lifetime Contribution' category for women in science, recognising outstanding contributions and emerging talent in the field.
Spotlight: Gabriela Daniels wins the Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Women in Science
We caught up with Gabriela, alongside other staff and students at LCF, to celebrate the contributions of women in science.
How does being selected as a recipient of the Martha Schwarzkopf Award reflect the journey you’ve taken in your scientific career so far? What does it mean to you personally?
My scientific trajectory is atypical, as I did not have a PhD when I entered academia. Instead, the research side of my work grew out of my teaching. I was teaching cosmetic science and technology, mainly focused on hair, and I wanted to develop research projects with students that I could bring back into the curriculum. Along the way, I’ve been very fortunate to meet and work with inspiring researchers from both the cosmetic industry and academia, and I’ve learned a great deal from them. Just as importantly, I’m lucky to collaborate with colleagues from the Science Programme at LCF, and I’m especially grateful to Professor Danka Tamburic for her continued support of my research interests.
Receiving the Martha Schwarzkopf Award from Henkel, a global leader in hair research, is a real honour. It reinforces my belief that research and a passion for education go hand in hand. It also highlights the value of taking an interdisciplinary approach to hair and cosmetic research, combining hard science with an understanding of human behaviour, because hair plays such a meaningful role in how we see ourselves and how others see us.
What is the core focus of your research, and why is it important for hair and cosmetic science? How does it contribute to both consumer benefit and environmental responsibility?
I work on a broad range of projects. About 60% of my work involves laboratory-based experiments using small hair samples, which we source from wig suppliers. Using highly specialised equipment, we study how different products affect hair. This is important because straight and curly hair, as well as hair that has been coloured or heat styled, can behave differently and respond in distinct ways to the same product.
Alongside this, I also carry out research into what motivates people. One recent project, for example, identified a range of visual, tactile, practical and emotional goals that people try to achieve when using hair cosmetics. Understanding these motivations can help the industry develop more effective products, while also reducing dissatisfaction, unnecessary product use and waste. More broadly, my research seeks solutions that rely on using fewer products, while encouraging more sustainable and mindful consumption.
Can you share an example of a challenge you faced in your research and how you approached it?
In most experimental projects, something usually doesn’t go quite as planned, and at first, it can feel like the research has failed. I’ve had many moments like that in my work, but I’ve learned to see them as valuable learning opportunities. I would normally step back, look carefully at what the data are telling me, and adjust the approach or experimental design accordingly. I have also felt that, sometimes, my interest in the holistic human experience of hair and cosmetics more broadly has been met with scepticism by some researchers who are wholly focused on measurable biophysical data. But I have not let such views affect my scientific judgement and motivation.
What has been a defining moment in your career as a woman in science?
The realisation that, ultimately, your personal scientific integrity is the most important measure by which you get judged. The Martha Schwarzkopf Award certainly confirms this belief. I also had the affirming belief that my work was paying off when I could start teaching the outcomes of my own research to MSc Cosmetic Science students.
What advice would you give to young scientists, especially women, who aspire to work in research and innovation?
In our highly visual and fast-moving world, science can sometimes come across as dry, abstract, or even uncool. But it could not be further from the truth. What really matters is persevering, keeping sight of long-term goals, and finding the right people who inspire you and make you proud of your choices.
Celebrating Women in Science at LCF
Mutemwa Mtawali, MSc Cosmetic Science
What inspired you to study MSc Cosmetic Science at LCF?
I’ve always been interested in science but wasn’t sure which area to pursue. After exploring healthcare and food science, I became drawn to chemistry and eventually discovered cosmetic science. LCF stood out as the longest-running cosmetic science degree in the UK, with strong industry links. Student-led social media content also gave me valuable insight into the course and confirmed it was the right fit.
Can you tell us about a project, achievement, or moment in your studies/work that made you feel particularly proud to be working in cosmetic science?
During my third year, I completed a year-long industrial placement at Merck KGaA in Germany. I worked on several projects and presented two at a global technical summit, one on social media trends and product positioning, and another on developing more realistic complexion shades for darker skin tones. Being able to advocate for underrepresented consumers and contribute to meaningful change made this experience especially rewarding.
Have you faced any challenges or misconceptions as a woman studying or working in science, and how have these experiences shaped your journey so far?
I haven’t experienced overt discrimination, but cosmetic science is sometimes perceived as a more ‘feminine’ and therefore less rigorous discipline. This perception can undermine the scientific value of the work. Rather than discouraging me, it motivates me to highlight the real-world impact of cosmetic science. Working with cosmetics does not make the science superficial.
Tia Joshi, BSc (Hons) Psychology of Fashion
What inspired you to study BSc (Hons) Psychology of Fashion at LCF?
I was initially drawn to physics and maths, but psychology offered a contrast that quickly became my favourite subject. During periods when my mental health was low, I found myself independently researching psychology to better understand myself and others.
Psychology’s balance between structure and nuance captivated me, and alongside this, I rediscovered my love for storytelling. During the Covid pandemic, my interest in clothing became more intentional, and when I searched for a course combining psychology and fashion, LCF stood out immediately.
Can you tell us about a project, achievement, or moment in your studies/work that made you feel particularly proud to be working in this field?
Reaching the analysis stage of my dissertation was a defining moment. After weeks of cleaning data, teaching myself coding, and doubting my topic, I finally found significant results. Being able to draw meaningful conclusions from my own research and earning a First was incredibly affirming.
Have you faced any challenges or misconceptions as a woman studying or working in science, and how have these experiences shaped your journey so far?
My dissertation explored storytelling, nostalgia and consumer escapism, topics often assumed to suit qualitative research. I challenged this by taking a quantitative approach, allowing my findings to be applied across a wider market.
Studying an interdisciplinary degree has meant that people often oversimplify my work, focusing on either the fashion or the psychology. Interdisciplinary research can also be dismissed within traditional science spaces, particularly as a woman. While this has sometimes made me feel I don’t fully belong in either field, it has strengthened my confidence and commitment to advancing this discipline.
Cinita Gomes Cintra, LCF Alumni and Specialist Technician, Cosmetic Science
What inspired you to study Cosmetic Science at LCF?
I studied Materials Science as an undergraduate in Brazil, while also having a strong interest in makeup and creative experimentation. I became fascinated by how cosmetic products behave and achieve different effects, and wanted to combine this curiosity with my academic background.
With my partner living in London and UAL already familiar to my family, discovering LCF’s internationally respected Cosmetic Science course felt like a natural choice.
Can you tell us about a project, achievement, or moment in your studies/work that made you feel particularly proud to be working in cosmetic science?
I was proud to win 3 Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association awards during my studies: 2 for best overall student and 1 for best industry placement report. These awards were a reassuring recognition of my work and highlighted the strong relationship between the course and industry. I now work as a Specialist Technician in LCF’s Cosmetic Science labs, supporting the next generation of scientists.
Have you faced any challenges or misconceptions as a woman studying or working in science, and how have these experiences shaped your journey so far?
During my undergraduate studies in Brazil, materials science was extremely male-dominated. I was once told during an interview that the environment “wasn’t a place for girls”.
My experience at LCF has been very different. Cosmetic Science is a more female-dominated field, and I’ve had the privilege of studying and working alongside many brilliant women. Talk down to us at your peril!
- Read more about the Martha Schwarzkopf Award
- Read more LCF Stories