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
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.
Dr. Yousuf Mohammed
Chair- American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Topical Transdermal community (TTC)
Wonder of Science – Flying Scientist
Dr Yousuf Mohammed is a research leader at The University of Queensland. He is a Wonder of Science Flying Scientist and has been working within the field of cosmetic dermatology, sensory perceptions, skin delivery, novel technologies and drug-devices combination products, microneedles and nanomaterials and has contributed significantly to the field with over 100 high impact publications, book chapters and over 45 invited conference presentations.
He is presently the Chair of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientist's Topical Transdermal committee and an invited expert on several panels. In the recent years, his work has led to more than 80 regulatory guidance's and guidelines from FDA, to develop topical and transdermal products.
His collaborations with the industry, academia and regulators have produced potential novel technologies, products and product characterisation methods that are positioned for successful translation. His work on
Sunscreen toxicology, especially Zinc Oxide, has led to a meaningful change in consumer acceptance of Zinc based sunscreens.
David Parnham
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. Russell Hills
Founder & Medical Director, Aesthetix Skin Clinic
Skin Cancer Surgeon | Preventive Dermatology Advocate
Dr Russell Hills is a distinguished skin cancer surgeon and the founder of Aesthetix Skin Clinic, a leading skin health practice dedicated to early detection, surgical treatment, and prevention of skin cancer. With a career spanning decades in skin cancer medicine, Dr Hills is renowned for combining clinical excellence with compassionate, patient-centered care.
Trained in surgical dermatology and primary care skin cancer management, Dr Hills has performed thousands of skin checks, biopsies, and advanced skin procedures. His expertise lies in identifying and excising complex skin cancers—particularly those caused by chronic sun exposure—and in educating the public on sun safety, skin surveillance, and sunscreen efficacy.
At Aesthetix, he integrates cutting-edge technologies, such as dermoscopy and digital mole mapping, with holistic patient education programs. A vocal proponent of broad-spectrum sun protection, Dr Hills advocates for evidence-based, mineral-based sunscreens and has partnered with national campaigns and local organizations to reduce Australia’s rates of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.
Through both his clinical practice and public health advocacy, Dr Hills plays a critical role in shaping community attitudes toward sun safety and early intervention—core pillars in Australia’s fight against one of the world’s highest skin cancer rates.
Joseph Mizkovsky
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% inorganic, vegan mineral sunscreens. Under his leadership, VeganicSKN has developed over 130 SPF formulations and supplies sunscreen to more than 90 brands globally. His work focuses on clean-label product development, environmental and occupational health outcomes, and cost-effective sun protection for vulnerable communities.
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 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. He is also known for his work with Danger Sun Overhead, supporting initiatives to make effective zinc-based sun protection accessible to construction and industrial workers nationwide.
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 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.
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.
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.
Daniel Bailey
Founder, Good Aussie Brands & Good Aussie Stuff
Ecommerce Strategist | Export Specialist | Champion of Australian-Made Products
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.