Fall 2026
Ariana Hernandez
Ariana joined the SMPD Lab in August 2026 as a master's student in Product Design Engineering with a concentration in Cosmetics and Consumer Goods. Her research focuses on the design and characterization of thermoresponsive emulsion systems for color cosmetic applications. Her current work explores a sprayable makeup touch-up formulation that remains a low-viscosity liquid at room temperature and gels upon contact with skin, examining how oil-phase chemistry and silicone co-emulsifiers influence sol-gel transition, droplet size, sprayability, and stability. Her research interests include poloxamer-based thermogelling systems, oil-in-water emulsions, rheology, particle size characterization, and cosmetic product design.
Program: M.S. Product Design
Major: Chemistry
Research Area: Cosmetic chemistry/ Polymers
Contact information
Email: aeh144@miami.edu
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariana-hernandez-243296359
Sunera Mausam Chowdhury
Sunera joined the SMPD Lab in August 2026 as a master’s student in Product Design Engineering with a concentration in Cosmetics and Consumer Goods. Her research focuses on the formulation and characterization of biosurfactant-stabilized oil-in-water nanoemulsions for sunscreen applications. Her current work explores the use of rhamnolipids and sophorolipids to stabilize nanoemulsions containing UV filters, examining how biosurfactant type, concentration, and processing conditions influence droplet size and formulation stability. Her research interests include biosurfactants, nanoemulsion systems, particle size characterization, rheology, and cosmetic product design.
Program: M.S. Product Design
Major: Chemistry
Research Area: Biosurfactants and Sunscreens
Contact information
Email: sxc3226@miami.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunera-chowdhury/
Fall 2025
Allison Carter
Program: M.S. Product Design
Major: Comparative Womens' Studies
Minor: Cosmetic Science
Research Area: Consumer Products
Contact information
Email: adc306@miami.edu
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/allison-d-carter-499a3422a
Logan-Marie Torry
Program: M.S. Product Design
Major: Biology
Research Area: Biopharmaceutics
Contact information
Email: lxt662@miami.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-marie-torry-b-sc-358045259/
Yael Faroud
Program: M.S. Product Design
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Health Science
Research Area: Consumer Products
Contact information
Email: yxf540@miami.edu
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/yael-faroud-4a50662b1
Jahilit Flores
Program: M.S. Product Design
Major: Chemical Engineering
Research Area: Hydrogels
Contact information
Email: jmf474@miami.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahilit-flores/
Samaria Popote
Program: M.S. Product Design
Double Major: Chemistry and Natural & Applied Sciences
Research Area: Consumer Products
Contact information
Email: skp32630@miami.edu
LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/samaria-popote-790a51330
Brianna Saleh
Program: M.S. Product Design
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Research Area: Hydrogels
Contact information
Email: bns104@miami.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-saleh-8a31612a0
