Who We Are
Robert Ross-Fichtner MSc, Principal & Director
Since joining FPR in 1999, Rob has led the Regulatory and Scientific practice. His experience covers Cosmetics, OTC Drugs, Medical Devices and Natural Health Products (Dietary Supplements). Rob has completed hundreds of submissions to Health Canada for product registration and approval, and has served as a consultant to Health Canada. He also has extensive experience with registering warehouse and production facilities, and is often involved with QA and new product start-ups. He also has many years of experience in R&D, including formulation, stability testing, analytical chemistry and product scale-up and manufacturing. Rob has served as the science columnist for Canada’s Cosmetics Magazine.
Prior to joining Focal Point, Rob spent almost 20 years in Management positions at Procter & Gamble in both Canada and the US. He was involved with all aspects of P&G’s new product program, including Formulation, Process Engineering, Packaging, and Regulatory and Government Affairs. Rob is active in many industry associations including the Pharmaceutical Sciences Group, The Canadian Association for Professional Regulatory Affairs, the Canadian Health Food Association, and the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. In 2007, Rob was elected to the board of directors of The Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association and in 2008, to the Executive of the Board. Rob completed B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in organic chemistry from McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario.
Janet Ross-Fichtner BASc, Principal & Director
Janet founded Focal Point Research in 1990 and has spent much of her career in the Food and Beverage industry in Canada and the US. Her consulting practice covers all forms of Consumer Research including central location, home-use tests, telephone interviews, focus group moderating, and Sensory Evaluation of food, beverages and personal care products. She is also involved in labelling and regulatory matters pertaining to foods and other products such as Cosmetics and Natural Health Products. Prior to opening Focal Point Research in 1990, Janet held management positions with a food manufacturer, three contract research companies, and in the dietary departments of two hospitals.
Janet has extensive experience as a teacher and instructor. She has offered many Sensory Evaluation workshops to the Food Industry. Janet served as a professor in the Packaging Management & Technology program at Mohawk College for 14 years and has contributed as a guest lecturer in the Food Science Department at the University of Guelph. Janet obtained a B.A.Sc. in Applied Human Nutrition from the University of Guelph. She is a member of CIFST (Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology), where she has held the position of Secretary with the Toronto Section Executive and is currently an active member of the Sensory Science Interest Group of CIFST.
THE FPR Team
The Focal Point Research Team of consultants is ready to help you with your issues and concerns. In addition to Rob and Janet, our staff includes scientists from various disciplines, regulatory and packaging experts and administrative staff. We are eager to help you.