The Beauty of Science: Tales from Aesop
Seminar/Forum
University Hall
Old Quad
The University of Melbourne
The Beauty of Science is a special Q+A event with Dr Kate Forbes, Director of Innovation at Aesop and University of Melbourne alum.
Guests will get the chance to ask Kate questions about her career and working at Aesop. Find out what it is like to be a chemist at Aesop, how various ingredients are chosen, and what it's like to work for one of Melbourne's favourite brands.
Tell us what you want to know when you register for the event, and we'll weave it into the conversation on the night. Dr Georgina Such, our very own chemist and Chair of the Women in Science Network at the University will facilitate the Q&A session.
Presenters
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Dr Georgina Such, Associate Dean (Diversity, Inclusion and Women in Science)Dr Georgina Such
Associate Dean (Diversity, Inclusion and Women in Science)
Faculty of Science
Dr Georgina Such completed her PhD in 2006 from the University of New South Wales. After her PhD, Dr Such commenced postdoctoral work in the Nanostructured Interfaces and Materials Science (NIMS) group headed by Professor Frank Caruso working on polymer nanomedicines. In 2013, she commenced a Future Fellowship in the School of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, enabling her to start her own research group. Dr Such is now a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne. Her research group works on designing responsive nanomaterials for applications in biomedicine and controlled release. Dr Such has won a number of awards for her research including the 2008 L’Oreal Women in Science Fellowship and the RACI David Sangster Polymer Achievement Award in 2018. Her research interests include selfassembly, nanomedicine and understanding nanoparticle/biological interactions. Dr Such is also a passionate advocate for promoting/encouraging women and girls to continue in science. Therefore, she has recently taken on the role of Associate Dean of Diversity, Inclusion and Women in Science which will allow her to work towards making the Faculty of Science, The UnIversity of Melbourne an employer of choice.
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Dr Kate Forbes, Director of InnovationDr Kate Forbes
Director of Innovation
Aesop
Kate Forbes is currently the Director of Innovation at Aesop, where she began in 2000, as the company’s first inhouse chemist. In her almost 20 years at Aesop she has led the research and development of new products—conceptualising and formulating new preparations, ingredients and technologies— global product safety and compliance; and the launch of new products and packaging in the marketplace. A key advocate of Aesop’s rigorous approach to scientific enquiry and sourcing of ingredients, she has been involved in the development of more than ninety per cent of the current range, including numerous skin, hair and body care favourites; and the launch of the Fragrance product category. In addition to the product area she has also led the global Marketing area and Sustainability, including the introduction of triple bottom line reporting in the business and serving as a founding board member of the Aesop Foundation. Kate holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Melbourne; the latter complemented by a Diploma of Cosmetic Science from De Montfort University, UK and is currently Studying a Certificate in Corporate Innovation at Stanford Business School
