Formulation Workshop
Transform your Future: Design. Engineer. Formulate.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 | 2:30 - 4:00 PM | CKB L-70 (Agile Strategy Lab)
Join NJIT’s hands-on Formulation Workshop during NCE Engineers Week. Learn industry-based cosmetic formulation, work in teams, and connect with engineers, chemists, and our sponsor the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC).
This is a hands-on, industry-informed experience that introduces students to technical formulation practices currently shaping the cosmetic and personal care industries. Designed at the intersection of engineering, chemistry, and product development, the workshop demonstrates how materials science transforms raw ingredients into functional, market-ready products.
Panel Discussion: Engineering & the Cosmetic Industry
Prior to the formulation activity, students will engage in a panel discussion with professionals from the cosmetic, chemical, and engineering industries.
Panel Focus:
Career pathways in cosmetic science and engineering
The role of engineers in formulation, scale-up, and product development
Industry expectations for early-career professionals
Panelists include:
Mara (Crespo) Webb (Chemical Engineering ’10 – NJIT)
Technical Sales Professional specializing in Actives for Personal Care, DSM
Gary Morris (Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, Package Engineering - Manhattan University)
Senior Package Development Engineer, L'oreal
Laszlo Moharita (Industrial Engineering ’01 - NJIT)
Vice President - Global Brand Package Development Fragrance and Haircare, Estee Lauder
Günel Nabiyeva (Ph.D. Candidate in Chemical Engineering, NJIT)
Hands-On Learning Experience
Students will work in small teams (2–3 students) to:
Participate in a live technical formulation based on current industry trends
Perform formulation calculations and percentage adjustments in real time
Interact directly with the instructor and volunteers throughout the process
Engage in technical discussion as formulation progresses
Students leave with a deeper understanding of how engineers and chemists collaborate during product development.
Meet the Instructor:
 | Christian Merkovsky is a Formulation Chemist and Technical Services Specialist who has been in the industry for 7 years. He got a job in the cosmetic industry after getting his Masters in Bioengineering (Stevens Institute of Technology) and has worked for ingredient and finished goods manufacturers and formulation labs. Now, he works for Studio Green Chemists, a boutique formulation lab that specializes in all-natural products. He loves being in the lab and is always happy to help anyone who is interested in formulating.
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Digital Badge Information for NJIT Students
Participants who successfully complete the Formulation Workshop will earn an NJIT digital badge, issued by NJIT and hosted through Parchment. NJIT digital badges are verifiable, shareable credentials that recognize learning, achievements, skills, or competencies gained through NJIT experiences.
Once earned, your badge will be delivered to your NJIT email. The first time that you receive a badge, you will need to create an account using your NJIT email by signing in with Google. After that, you can access all of your badges in your Parchment Backpack.
From there, you can:
- Share your badge on LinkedIn and other social platforms
- Include it on resumes, portfolios, and applications
- Use it as a concrete way to demonstrate your interests, achievements, skills, and competencies when seeking a new opportunity (e.g., internship, employment, etc.)
Each badge includes detailed information (metadata) about who issued it, what it represents, what you did to earn it, when it was earned, and related skills.
About our Sponsor the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC)
The New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing cosmetic science, formulation, and product development across the New York tri-state region. NYSCC supports education, innovation, and workforce development through technical programming, industry collaboration, and professional networking opportunities.
Through its work with students, scientists, engineers, and industry leaders, NYSCC helps connect academic learning with real-world cosmetic and personal care applications—making it a natural partner for NCE Engineers Week programming focused on hands-on, industry-aligned learning.
Learn more about the New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists and careers in cosmetic science at
https://nyscc.org/
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