Our mission is to preserve and enhance Australia’s global leadership in sunscreen safety and efficacy by working in partnership with government, unions, industry, health experts, and community organisations.
ASC Expert Group
Dr. Craig Downs
Executive Director, Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (HEL)
Cellular and Molecular Biologist | Global Leader in Reef-Safe Sunscreen Science
Dr Craig Downs is an internationally renowned cellular and molecular biologist and the Executive Director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory (HEL), a non-profit scientific organization at the forefront of environmental toxicology and conservation science. With over two decades of research into marine and human health toxicology, Dr Downs is best known for his pioneering studies linking certain chemical UV filters—such as oxybenzone and octinoxate—to coral reef bleaching, endocrine disruption, and marine DNA damage.
His work has played a central role in triggering global bans and restrictions on harmful sunscreen ingredients in reef-sensitive areas such as Hawaii, Palau, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Aruba, and parts of Australia. Dr Downs’ landmark research helped popularize the concept of “reef-safe sunscreen” and catalyzed the global shift toward non-nano mineral sunscreens, especially those containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
At HEL, Dr Downs leads a multidisciplinary team conducting environmental forensic investigations, policy development, and public health research. He has provided expert testimony to the U.S. Congress and advises multiple governments and regulatory agencies on sunscreen safety, water quality, and biodiversity preservation. His passion for safeguarding ecosystems is matched by a commitment to rigorous, transparent science that informs both consumer protection and environmental stewardship.
Dr. Russell Hills
Founder & Medical Director, Aesthetix Skin Clinic
Cosmetic & Laser Dermatologist | Mohs Micrographic Surgery Specialist | Preventive Dermatology Advocate
Dr Russell Hills is a distinguished Cosmetic and Laser Dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgery specialist. As the founder of Aesthetix Skin Clinic, he has built a leading skin-health practice focused on the early detection, precise treatment, and long-term prevention of skin cancer.
Over a career spanning decades, Dr Hills has carried out thousands of skin checks, biopsies, and advanced dermatologic procedures. His expertise lies in identifying and expertly removing complex skin cancers—particularly those stemming from chronic sun exposure—while providing compassionate, patient-centred care.
At Aesthetix, he integrates state-of-the-art technologies such as dermoscopy and digital mole mapping with holistic education programmes that empower patients to practise rigorous skin surveillance. A strong advocate for evidence-based, mineral sunscreens and robust sun-safety habits, Dr Hills partners with national campaigns and community organisations to help lower Australia’s world-leading rates of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
Through his clinical work and public-health advocacy, Dr Hills continues to shape community attitudes toward sun protection and early intervention—cornerstones of Australia’s fight against skin cancer.
David Parnham
Highly accomplished FMCG and sun care executive with over 40 years’ leadership experience across iconic Australian and global brands including Sun Zapper, Ferrero, Caltex, and Woolworths. Former President of COBAA and AASTA.
David Parnham brings over 40 years of expertise across the Australian FMCG and sun care sectors, with a distinguished career spanning leadership roles in retail, product development, and international business.
As General Manager of Sun Zapper Sun Care from 2003 to 2022, David played a pivotal role in shaping one of Australia's most recognisable sun care brands, expanding both its local and global footprint.
Beyond sunscreen, David has held executive positions with major brands including Ferrero, Caltex, and Woolworths, and served as President of both the Café Owners & Baristas Association (COBAA) and the Australasian Specialty Tea Association (AASTA).
His work has consistently focused on consumer protection, product integrity, and industry advancement.
David is a valued contributor to the ASC, known for his pragmatic insight, deep market knowledge, and enduring commitment to public health through effective sun protection.
Dr. Denis Dudley
Board-Certified OB‑GYN, Endocrinologist & Mineral Sunscreen Pioneer
Dr Denis Dudley is a retired OB‑GYN and reproductive endocrinologist who has spent over 30 years championing safer sunscreen science. He is co-founder and CEO of CyberDERM (“The Sunscreen Company”) alongside his wife, Dr Sharyn Laughlin (dermatologist/photobiologist), driving innovation in mineral-based UV protection .
His interest in sunscreen safety emerged early in his career, when he discovered soluble organic UV filters—including benzophenones—traversed the placenta and entered fetal circulation. This led him to explore and advocate for mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) that do not penetrate the skin barrier .
Dr Dudley has spent decades developing and promoting mineral sunscreen formulations that are not only safe (non-bioavailable) but also highly effective against both UVA and UVB rays. His work underscores the importance of balanced spectrum protection and critiques marketing claims that mislead consumers .
Dr Dudley’s mission is clear: promote evidence-based sunscreen practices that safeguard public health—from conception to environmental stewardship. His pioneering approach positions mineral sunscreens as the gold standard for safety and efficacy.
Dr. Abhinandan “Rocky” Chowdhury
Toxicologist | Risk Assessment Specialist | Expert in Topical Product Safety
Dr Abhinandan “Rocky” Chowdhury is an accomplished toxicologist with a multidisciplinary background in biotechnology, analytical bioscience, and toxicology. He holds a BSc in Biotechnology (Australia), an MSc in Analytical Bioscience (UK), and a PhD in Toxicology (Australia). His international training equips him with a unique perspective on product safety, hazard identification, and regulatory toxicology across cosmetic, therapeutic, and consumer goods sectors.
Dr Rocky specialises in exposure-based risk assessment for topical products, including sunscreens, skincare, and therapeutic preparations. His expertise lies in evaluating the biological impact of chemical and physical ingredients—particularly UV filters—on both human health and the environment.
With a strong command of international regulatory frameworks, Dr Chowdhury supports industry and government bodies with science-led approaches to ingredient safety, risk communication, and standards development. His work ensures that Australian-made products not only meet domestic expectations but are also export-ready and aligned with evolving global benchmarks.
At the Australian Sunscreen Council, Dr Rocky brings essential toxicological expertise to support better safety outcomes, regulatory advocacy, and public education on sunscreen efficacy and ingredient transparency.
Joseph Mizikovsky
Head of Strategic Partnerships, VeganicSKN | Regulatory Advocate & SPF Innovator
Joseph Mizikovsky is a regulatory strategist and one of Australia’s foremost advocates for transparency, safety, and innovation in the sunscreen industry. As Chief Advisor for Industry at the Australian Sunscreen Council (ASC), he brings deep expertise in SPF formulation, international regulatory frameworks, and industry standards across the full sunscreen supply chain.
Joseph serves as Head of Strategic Partnerships at VeganicSKN, Australia’s largest manufacturer of 100% organic, vegan mineral sunscreens. Under his leadership, VeganicSKN has developed over 130 SPF formulations and supplied sunscreen to more than 100 brands globally.
In 2024, Joseph’s regulatory work with the TGA uncovered critical gaps in sunscreen ingredient safety data. He identified 30 chemical UV filters with insufficient safety assessments, including one privately removed from the Australian market and two flagged in internal draft documents as potentially unsafe at current concentrations. His advocacy also prompted a priority toxicology review by the TGA of 4-MBC following its reclassification by the European Commission due to hormone-disrupting and carcinogenic risks.
Joseph sits on the Standards Australia CS042 Sunscreen Agents Committee, contributing to technical standards reviews and ingredient safety evaluations. Driven by science, fairness, and public accountability, Joseph is a leading voice in the push for evidence-based sunscreen regulation in Australia and abroad.
Dr. Leslie Laquieze
International Expert in Sunscreen Testing, Photoprotection, Skin Pharmacology and Dermocosmetic Claim Substantiation
Dr Leslie Laquieze is a pharmacist-scientist and international expert in sunscreen testing, photoprotection, skin pharmacology and dermocosmetic claim substantiation. As an expert member of the Australian Sunscreen Council, she brings advanced technical expertise in the scientific evaluation of sunscreen performance, skin physiology, product claims and international testing standards.
Dr Laquieze holds a Doctor of Pharmacy, a Master of Science in Skin Pharmacology, a PhD in Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering, and an MBA. Her academic background spans dermatological science, pharmacovigilance, clinical research, skin physiology, cosmetic formulation, microbiology, reconstructed skin models, biomechanical skin characterisation and international business leadership.
Her doctoral work focused on reconstructed skin models, biomechanical skin characterisation, innovative clinical evaluation devices and the harmonisation of clinical sensory evaluation methodology. These areas are directly relevant to the scientific assessment of cosmetic, dermatological and sunscreen products, particularly where product claims must be supported by robust clinical, instrumental and regulatory evidence.
Since 2018, Dr Laquieze has led Kosmoscience Europe, supporting the evaluation, substantiation and regulatory positioning of cosmetic and dermatological products across international markets. At the ASC, she strengthens the Council’s capability in SPF, UVA, broad-spectrum and water-resistance assessment, as well as evidence-based sunscreen testing, dermocosmetic claim support and higher standards in sunscreen safety and performance.
Mgr. Mehrdad Mirzaei
Pharmacist | PhD Candidate | Researcher in Organic UV Filters, Skin Barrier Science and Photoprotection
Mgr. Mehrdad Mirzaei is a licensed pharmacist, doctoral researcher and photoprotection scientist specialising in organic UV filters, skin barrier function, topical formulation technology and the behaviour of sunscreen ingredients on the stratum corneum. As an expert member of the Australian Sunscreen Council, he brings highly specialised expertise in how sunscreen ingredients interact with the skin barrier after application.
Mehrdad is currently completing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology at Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. His doctoral research investigates how topically applied organic UV filters affect the microstructure and function of the skin lipid barrier, with a particular focus on the most commonly used European sunscreen filters.
He is an active researcher within the Skin Barrier Research Group at Charles University, working in a scientific environment focused on skin lipids, topical and transdermal formulation science, drug delivery, permeability and the structure and function of the human skin barrier. This research setting uses advanced analytical and biophysical approaches to better understand skin barrier integrity and ingredient behaviour.
Mehrdad’s expertise sits at the intersection of photoprotection, pharmaceutical technology, topical formulation design and skin lipid biophysics. At the ASC, his contribution strengthens the Council’s technical understanding of organic UV filters, dermal exposure science, sunscreen ingredient performance and the relationship between formulation design, skin barrier function and consumer safety.
Joseph DiNardo
Cosmetic Toxicologist | Ingredient Safety Expert | PFAS Environmental Advisory Panel Member
Joseph “Joe” DiNardo is a highly experienced cosmetic toxicologist and ingredient safety expert with more than four decades of experience across skincare, product formulation, regulatory affairs, clinical research, international product registration, environmental toxicology and consumer safety. As an expert member of the Australian Sunscreen Council, he brings deep international expertise in the scientific assessment of cosmetic and sunscreen ingredients.
Mr DiNardo has contributed to the development and evaluation of technologies for leading pharmaceutical, dermatology and personal care companies, including Allergan, Stiefel/Glaxo, Merz, Elizabeth Arden, Burt’s Bees, Cooper Labs, Blistex, Glytone, MD Beauty/Bare Essentials and Priori. His expertise spans formulation science, regulatory and safety affairs, atopic dermatitis product development, comedogenicity, contact dermatitis, photobiology, reproductive toxicology, alpha hydroxy acid safety and antioxidant research.
He holds a Master of Science in Toxicology from St. John’s University in New York and an undergraduate degree in Biology from Mercy College. His career has included senior scientific and research leadership roles, including Vice President of Research & Development for Almay Hypoallergenic Cosmetics, Corporate Vice President for Revlon, and Chief Scientific Officer Emeritus of Pharma Cosmetix Research.
In December 2024, Mr DiNardo was appointed to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality PFAS Expert Advisory Panel, representing conservation groups addressing environmental pollution concerns. At the ASC, he supports evidence-based sunscreen safety, responsible ingredient evaluation and higher standards in personal care product regulation.
Geoff Acton
Managing Director, Advance ZincTek Ltd & Antaria Pty Ltd
Australia’s Leading Manufacturer of Actives for Sunscreens | Executive Leader in Mineral UV Protection
Geoff Acton is the Managing Director of Advance ZincTek Ltd and its wholly owned subsidiary Antaria Pty Ltd, Australia’s largest manufacturer of zinc oxide—an active ingredient essential to modern, mineral-based sunscreens. With a career spanning corporate finance, operations, and advanced materials manufacturing, Geoff has played a central role in revitalizing and scaling Australia’s domestic capacity to produce high-performance UV filters for global sunscreen markets.
Under Geoff’s leadership, Antaria has solidified its position as a world-class supplier of Zinc Oxide dispersions and powders used by major pharmaceutical, dermocosmetic, and personal care brands across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States. He has overseen strategic investment in R&D, GMP production, regulatory compliance, and environmentally conscious processing, aligning Australian-made zinc oxide with the highest international safety and efficacy standards.
Geoff is widely regarded as a leading industry advocate for science-backed sunscreen regulation and clean, safe UV protection. As Managing Director, he has supported the movement toward non-nano, reef-safe, and transparent mineral sunscreens, recognizing both their health benefits and growing consumer demand. Through Advance ZincTek, he champions a vision of Australia as not just a sunscreen consumer nation—but a global supplier of premium active ingredients.
With a strong background in corporate governance and strategic growth, Geoff brings invaluable commercial insight to the Australian Sunscreen Council (ASC), where his contributions help ensure that Australian industry voices are heard at the highest regulatory levels.
Daniel Bailey
CEO, Good Aussie Stuff
Daniel Bailey is a seasoned ecommerce and international distribution strategist with over 20 years of experience driving the global success of Australian consumer brands—particularly in the health and personal care sectors. As the founder of Good Aussie Brands and Good Aussie Stuff, Daniel has built a robust platform for launching and scaling Australian-made products, including mineral sunscreens, into high-value markets such as the United States, Canada, the UK, and the European Union.
Daniel’s expertise spans the entire international ecommerce ecosystem. From marketplace listing to cross-border logistics, warehousing, compliance, advertising, fulfilment, and customer service, he provides an end-to-end solution that enables brands to expand globally while remaining lean and agile. His deep understanding of global consumer behaviour and platform algorithms ensures products are not only listed—but discovered and loved.
Prior to launching his own ventures, Daniel led digital marketing campaigns for some of Australia’s most iconic brands, including Nestlé, Westfield, Canon, and Jurlique. This background in performance-driven marketing underpins his approach to international growth: making products visible, competitive, and easy to buy across digital platforms like Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and others.
Through his work, Daniel has helped dozens of Australian SMEs transition from local operations to thriving exporters. He is passionate about demystifying international expansion, advocating for Australian quality abroad, and empowering local producers to compete—and win—on the global stage.
At the Australian Sunscreen Council, Daniel contributes valuable expertise in global market access, ecommerce strategy, and consumer engagement for Australian SPF manufacturers and brands looking to scale internationally.
Dr. Alan Jones
MBBS | Skin Cancer Physician | CEO, Skin Patrol
Dr Alan Jones is an Australian medical practitioner and skin cancer physician with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and extensive experience in skin cancer medicine, dermoscopic screening and surgical management. As CEO of Skin Patrol and founder of The Skin Cancer Doctor, he brings the Australian Sunscreen Council major frontline expertise in early detection, workplace sun protection and community-based skin cancer prevention.
In 1997, Dr Jones founded The Chermside Medical Centre, building one of Brisbane’s largest and most successful training general practices and serving as Principal GP Registrar Trainer. His clinical focus on skin cancer medicine later led him to establish The Skin Cancer Doctor, formerly The Flying Skin Cancer Doctor, delivering whole-body dermoscopic skin checks and on-site treatment services to patients in regional, rural and remote communities.
Dr Jones also leads Skin Patrol, a doctor-led workplace skin cancer screening provider that has delivered corporate skin checks to more than 250,000 workers across leading Australian companies. Skin Patrol supports high-UV-risk sectors including mining, construction, transport, energy, manufacturing, government and outdoor workforces, making professional skin checks accessible during work hours.
At the Australian Sunscreen Council, Dr Jones strengthens the Council’s practical expertise in occupational sun safety, early detection, dermoscopic screening and real-world prevention. His work supports the ASC’s commitment to reducing Australia’s skin cancer burden through better sunscreen standards, workplace protection, public education and earlier clinical intervention.
The ASC Expert Group: Leaders in Sunscreen Safety and Innovation
We draw on a significant pool of experts who specialize in various fields to ensure we remain up-to-date and relevant in all aspects of our work. This collaborative approach allows us to leverage diverse insights and knowledge, ensuring that we stay ahead of industry trends and best practices. By continuously engaging with specialists, we can deliver high-quality and informed solutions to clients.