RIFM’s Gretchen Ritacco Shortlisted for Inaugural Changemaker Award

Gretchen Ritacco, MS, manager, scientific operations and exposure modeling at Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), has been shortlisted for the inaugural Changemaker Award presented by Replacing Animal Research, a UK-based organization dedicated to advancing human-relevant science and replacement methodologies.

The Changemaker Award was established to recognize individuals who help drive meaningful change in research by advancing non-animal approaches, scientific innovation, education, policy and advocacy. According to Replacing Animal Research, the award celebrates those “championing the replacement of animals and creating change in research,” particularly individuals advancing modern scientific methods, officials said.

Ritacco was nominated by colleagues at the Institute for the In Vitro Sciences in recognition of her contributions to the development and advancement of non-animal approaches to fragrance safety assessment, including work on photo safety endpoints and exposure-driven safety evaluation.

“We are proud to see Gretchen’s contributions recognized by organizations working to advance human-relevant science,” said RIFM President Anne Marie Api. “This recognition reflects both Gretchen’s scientific leadership and the collaborative efforts across the broader scientific community to continue evolving modern safety assessment approaches.”