Our Story
Tritera was envisioned in 2018, while we were gathering our bearings after earning our PhDs. As plant molecular geneticists, we have continuously been interested in plant derived compounds and had worked with a variety of them- one of which was squalene.
Squalene has so many uses- in medicine as an effective adjuvant in vaccines, it is also a very good antioxidant and a great moisturizer. Squalene is also a component of our skin layer. It helps keep our skin layers in order, moisturizes and prevents wrinkles. Unfortunately, the amount of squalene produced in our skin diminishes with age.
But upon further investigation, we were shocked to find that the squalene used in skincare often came from not-so-favorable sources- shark liver oil! (#sharksarefriendsnotskincare) This was our impetus to start Tritera, a responsibly sourced plant based skincare company. As scientists we pay attention to the smallest detail and only want to offer to our customers products that we believe in. Our goal is to provide products that are truly safe and effective with no unnecessary ingredients. That’s why we take part in every part of the process, from production to slightly nerdy Instagram posts!
Our Team
Chase Kempinski PhD- CEO
Chase received his PhD from the University of Kentucky in Plant Physiology where he focused on how plants create terpenes. He was especially focused on squalene. He has participated in analytical chemistry and botanical start-up enterprises. He formulated Tritera from the beginning and his vision is to provide the best experiences for all of Tritera’s customers.
Mizuki Tateno PhD- COO
Mizuki received her PhD in plant physiology from the University of Kentucky where she studied cellulose biosynthesis to improve biofuel production for a more sustainable energy source. Her focus on sustainability goes beyond the lab bench and into her daily life- skincare included! She has personally researched, formulated and tested every product so that others can also benefit from Tritera skincare.
Tom Gawriluk PhD-CSO
Tom is passionate about how we make products that work best for your skin. He received his PhD from the University of Kentucky in Biology studying (among other things!) how we can regenerate wounds without scarring and how our cells age. As part of his personal philosophy, Tom wants to impart his knowledge to develop products that help our skin respond and be protected against the stresses it faces.
Our Advisers
Joe Chappell, PhD - Scientific Adviser
Joe has been a professor at the University of Kentucky since 1985. He has built an illustrious research program investigating how terpenes are produced by nature and their applications for humans. He is the chair of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Department at UK, which has a special emphasis on understanding how all sorts of organisms produce helpful molecules for humanity.
Arria Hines, MBA - Business Adviser
Arria is an entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business advocate. She is the CEO/President of Allegheny Science & Technology, a company known for their expertise and services in the energy and environmental sectors. Arria has found success as a business owner, landing her company on the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies and Washington’s Fast 50 lists. As a busy leader of a technical and data driven company, Arria values the details in all facets of life, including the products she uses to look and feel her best. You can find and connect with Arria on LinkendIn.