LCF’s Integrated MSc Cosmetic Science students and course leader were present at the Society of Cosmetic Scientists Christmas Lecture where four students presented their placement year. These four students were awarded first and joint second and third prizes for their placement year reports at the Cosmetic Science Industry day. The first place award was given to Rachael Polowyj, second was shared by Sarah Smiley and Jasmine Lim. The three winners were joined by a fourth winner, Madiha Sharif, at the Society of Cosmetic Scientists event on December 10th, where the four students each presented their work to industry professionals.
The students’ presentations, from their 2014/2015 year in industry placements, were followed by the regular Guest Evening lecture ‘Ageing and antioxidants: in search for a new paradigm’. The lecture was delivered by Dr Gérard Friedlander (Paris Descartes University Medical School).
The event audience selects the three best presentations every year on the Cosmetic Science Industry day at LCF. The best presentation (first place) is awarded a bursary of £1200 from the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association (CTPA). The CTPA has been supporting the Cosmetic Science course since it started in 2000.
This academic year, the first place award (£1200) was given to Rachael Polowyj. Together with the three other selected winners (shared second place and a third), students were eligible to present at the SCS event in December. Rachael spoke of her time at Azelis (UK) developing a new type of powder formulation that contains over 72% water and hydrophobic fumed silica. This work has also being selected for the Laura Marshall Memorial Award by the Society of Cosmetic Scientists (and the judges) as an innovative formulation.
The second place presentation was shared by Sarah Smiley and Jasmine Lim. Sarah was working for the second largest UK health and beauty retailer and was involved in the development and launch process of compressed aerosol antiperspirant for the UK market.
Jasmine went to Singapore for her placement year and worked for one of the major producers of fragrance raw materials for the personal care sector. Her placement project focussed on the improvement of an analytical method used for quality control of fragrance raw materials. Madiha’s project explored the challenges involved in the development of an organic certified shampoo and conditioner.
Mustafa Varcin, Integrated MSc Cosmetic Science Course Leader, spoke to LCF News following the awards.
Many Cosmetic Science students take advantage of the option of doing a placement year between their second and third year. Taking this option leads to an additional qualification, the Diploma in Professional Studies. Those students who presented this year at the Cosmetic Science Industry day in October and at the SCS Guest Evening Lecture in December are the first students from the Integrated MSc Cosmetic Science course who went on placement.
I was very pleased with the students’ presentations. These four students have done an excellent job. Some of the industry professionals who I have met afterwards, were very impressed with the placement presentations. The placement year is a great and exciting opportunity for students to learn more about the cosmetics industry, to make contacts and build relationships within the industry before the end of their studies and to enhance existing and/or develop personal and professional skills. It is a great way of getting an insight into the cosmetics industry. Well done to all placement students!
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