Pria Maineri was a high schooler in Los Angeles when she started her own business, 88kitty, with the help of her mother.
“I began by selling bath bombs to my friends on campus in the hallways between classes and at local farmers’ markets on weekends,” Maineri said. “Over time, we expanded to selling at farmer’s markets across other neighborhoods of LA throughout the week, and quickly built up a loyal fanbase across the greater LA area.”
Pria Maineri, a junior studying cosmetic science and formulation design, was drawn to UToledo’s undergraduate program while a business major at the Los Angeles Community College District in L.A.
She first started college as a business major at the Los Angeles Community College District to support her company. Over time, though, Maineri grew an interest in formulation design, which led her to UToledo’s Cosmetic Science and Formulation design undergraduate program.
“I planned on working towards degrees that would get me into Cosmetic Science graduate programs — then I found UToledo.” she said. “UToledo offers the unique opportunity to pursue Cosmetic Science at the undergraduate level, being the only school in the country to do so. Once I realized how much the program aligned with my interests and future goals, I switched my major at community college to complete the prerequisites needed for the program.”
Prior to coming to UToledo, Maineri worked at Johnson and Johnson in the Neutrogena plant in LA as a manufacturing floor associate during the pandemic, working directly with product and preparing samples for testing. She also worked as a laboratory technician making shampoos, lotions, and self-tanners.
Now a junior, Maineri said that throughout her time at UToledo, Dr. Gabriella Baki, director of the undergraduate Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Program and an associate professor of pharmacy practice, was instrumental to her success.
“Dr. Baki has constantly presented me with opportunities for networking events, outreach, and research,” Maineri said. “When I approached her in Fall of 2023 with an interest in doing research that expanded on her recently published paper, she worked with me to prepare a research proposal and secure a grant.”
Baki said she has enjoyed working with Maineri.
“Pria has been very excited and engaged in her research project and quickly learned the research methods allowing her to work independently,” Baki said. “Her research involves a small consumer study approved by the UToledo IRB. It is very impressive from a junior student to work so independently and yet precisely, from setting up the study appointments, to doing the study, entering the data into the system, and analyzing the results. It has been a pleasure guiding her and assisting her to spread her wings.”
Despite being across the country from her home, Maineri has taken advantage of the opportunities UToledo provides. She has served as president and vice president of the UToledo Cosmetic Chemist Society, an outreach assistant for the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences for local high school students and conducted a clinical trial on human nails through the Undergraduate Summer Research and Creative Activities Program grant.
“Having the opportunity to conduct research, especially as a clinical trial is something I would consider to be one of my major successes at UToledo,” Maineri said.
Later this year, Maineri said she will pursue a formulation-based internship full-time. She has ambitious goals to continue her business and expand the field of cosmetic sciences.
“After graduation I’ll return triumphantly to the LA area,” she said. “By day, I’ll work as a formulation chemist or similar role. By night, I’ll reestablish my business: developing new formulas, producing inventory, and building out my second retail storefront to relaunch the business.”
“In the future, I’d like to work in academia and help expand cosmetic science educational offerings on the West Coast,” she added.
