Mary Jay Castro

R&D Manager and BS Chemistry graduate with over 13 years of experience in chemical analysis, quality control, cosmetics and personal care product development, laboratory operations, and cross-functional project coordination. Experienced in formulation development, raw material evaluation, physical and chemical testing, stability evaluation, analytical instrumentation, GMP, product safety, regulatory support, and technical documentation. Currently leading R&D activities in cosmetics manufacturing, with experience coordinating Marketing, Creative Design, Regulatory Affairs, Production, and other functions to support timely product development and commercialization.

Provides technical and scientific support to Regulatory Affairs by assisting in the interpretation of product requirements, preparation of technical documents, evaluation of regulatory requirements, and identification of necessary actions to support product compliance and registration.

R&D Manager at Innolab Industries Inc. (2023-03 – Present)

• Lead research and development activities for cosmetic and personal care products, including formulation development, prototype preparation, evaluation, and improvement of existing products.
• Research raw material properties and assess their suitability for formulation, product performance, quality, stability, and manufacturing requirements.
• Develop product prototypes and evaluate physical and chemical properties and stability to support product development decisions.
• Establish product specifications, testing procedures, and technical requirements for R&D projects.
• Coordinate project activities among Marketing, Creative Design, Regulatory Affairs, and other relevant departments to support on-time project delivery.
• Obtain and organize technical data and information required to support regulatory submissions and product documentation.
• Provide technical and supervisory support to laboratory personnel and other departments as required.
• Prepare technical reports and documents describing project processes, results, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Review product label text and prepare technical label reviews to support and substantiate product claims.
• Support continuous improvement of existing products and development of new products based on technical, quality, regulatory, and market requirements.

R&D Supervisor at Innolab Industries Inc. (2022-12 – 2023-03)

QC Analyst at Innolab Industries Inc. (2018-09 – 2022-12)

• Performed physical and chemical testing according to approved operating procedures and specifications.
• Tested raw materials and finished products for conformance to specifications with reference to certificates of analysis.
• Conducted regular calibration and performance checks of laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Prepared, interpreted, and generated routine laboratory test reports within required timelines and regulatory/internal guidelines.
• Maintained accurate laboratory records and supported timely release of analytical results.

Chemical Analyst at Euromed Laboratories Inc. (2013-01 – 2018-08)

• Performed chemical analysis of in-process materials, finished products, raw materials, stability samples, and process validation samples according to approved SOPs.
• Analyzed pharmaceutical and healthcare products including haemodialysis concentrates, IV fluids, ophthalmic products, and disinfectants.
• Performed wet chemistry and titration methods and prepared and standardized volumetric solutions.
• Operated and maintained HPLC, UV-Vis, AAS, FTIR, TOC, Polarimeter, Karl Fischer Titrator, Viscometer, and Refractometer.
• Performed in-process quality control testing and released analytical results within required timelines.
• Conducted equipment calibration, performance checks, and laboratory chemical inventory activities.

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry – Polytechnic University of the Philippines (2010)