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Our Foundation
A Legacy of Excellence
Built on expertise. Driven by integrity. Sustained by family.
Honoring Dr. Shyla Cantor's Vision
In 2003, Dr. Shyla Cantor established an independent laboratory built on a simple yet powerful principle: combine uncompromising scientific excellence with genuine personal attention to every client.
With her doctorate from Poona University and extensive postdoctoral training in genetic toxicology, Dr. Cantor brought decades of pharmaceutical and cosmetic testing expertise to create a laboratory where integrity and accuracy are never compromised.
"In early 2025, we lost Dr. Shyla Cantor—a visionary scientist, dedicated leader, and beloved mother. Her passing left an immeasurable void, yet her vision lives on. Under the leadership of her daughter, Shali Telang, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the principles Dr. Cantor held sacred: uncompromising scientific integrity, meticulous attention to detail, and treating every client as a valued partner. Her legacy isn't just preserved—it continues to inspire everything we do."
Today, our 15,000-square-foot facility in Blauvelt, New York — just twenty miles from New York City — continues her legacy with the same meticulous care she insisted upon.
New Leadership
Meet Shali Telang
Executive Director | Bridging Scientific Rigor with Strategic Intelligence
A Legacy of Partnership
I grew up watching my mother transform scientific challenges into breakthroughs—not just serving clients, but forging lasting partnerships built on trust and genuine care. That philosophy became my foundation.
"Relationships are what longevity is built on. My mother taught me to treat every client as a friend. My training taught me why that matters—real listening, real honesty, real space to be heard. Authenticity is the foundation of every partnership I build."
— Shali Telang
The Rare Perspective I Bring
After a decade at Pfizer, I've sat on your side of the table—waiting for data to support regulatory submissions, navigating FDA complexities, feeling the pressure of launch timelines. I know you're not just looking for accurate results. You need a partner who understands what every test result means for your business.
My background spans:
⬢ Advanced degrees from NYU and Fordham in clinical and stakeholder relations
⬢ 10+ years navigating FDA regulatory pathways at Pfizer
⬢ Leadership in surgical and dermatological practice
⬢ Hands-on laboratory experience in protocol development and quality assurance
The Right Language for Every Room
I can dive into SPF methodology with your chemist, navigate regulatory pathways with your compliance team, and sharpen market positioning with your brand manager. Product development works best when nothing gets lost in translation. That fluency is what today's product timelines demand.
My Commitment
With Cantor, you get 22 years of established excellence plus a leader who genuinely cares about your success—and has the expertise to help you achieve it.
22+
Years of Excellence
19
Countries Served
15K
Sq Ft Facility
16
Solar Simulators
What We Offer
Comprehensive Testing Solutions
From concept to compliance—complete clinical testing services that meet FDA, ISO, COLIPA, and international standards.
Photobiology Testing
Sun protection science with uncompromising accuracy. Our 16 solar simulators provide comprehensive SPF testing under FDA 2020, ISO 24444, and COLIPA standards.
⬢ SPF Testing (Static & Water Resistant 40/80 min)
⬢ UVA Protection (ISO 24442, In-vitro FDA 2019)
⬢ Broad Spectrum Claims (ISO 24443)
⬢ Photoallergy & Phototoxicity Studies
⬢ Water Resistance (ISO 18861:2020)
Safety Testing
Proving safety before market launch. Comprehensive dermal safety protocols with diverse population panels representing real-world consumers.
⬢ Repeat Insult Patch Test (RIPT)
⬢ Cumulative Irritation & Sensitization
⬢ Ocular Irritation Studies
⬢ Comedogenicity Testing
⬢ Multi-Ethnic Population Studies
Efficacy Testing
Transform marketing claims into measurable, defensible results with advanced instrumentation and clinical assessment.
⬢ Moisturization & Hydration (TEWL, Corneometry)
⬢ Anti-Aging & Wrinkle Reduction
⬢ Skin Firmness & Elasticity (Cutometer)
⬢ Skin Whitening & Pigmentation
⬢ Antiperspirant & Deodorant Efficacy
Clinical Assessment
Board-certified physician oversight ensuring medical-grade evaluation and interpretation of all study results.
⬢ Dermatologist Evaluations
⬢ Ophthalmologist Oversight
⬢ Pediatric Specialist Consultation
⬢ Expert Grading & Scoring
⬢ Adverse Event Monitoring
Regulatory Support
Data that withstands regulatory scrutiny. Our reports have supported successful FDA submissions and international market approvals.
⬢ FDA IND/NDA Application Support
⬢ Skin Cancer Foundation Seal Data
⬢ International Standards Compliance
⬢ 21 CFR Part 11 Documentation
⬢ GCP/GLP Protocol Adherence
Natural & Specialty Products
Transform marketing claims into measurable, defensible results with advanced instrumentation and clinical assessment.
⬢ Moisturization & Hydration (TEWL, Corneometry)
⬢ Anti-Aging & Wrinkle Reduction
⬢ Skin Firmness & Elasticity (Cutometer)
⬢ Skin Whitening & Pigmentation
⬢ Antiperspirant & Deodorant Efficacy
State of the Art
Advanced Testing Infrastructure
Our 15,000 sq ft facility houses the industry's most respected measurement technologies, maintained to the highest calibration standards.
VISIA DIGITAL IMAGING
Comprehensive facial analysis with Image Pro Software for UV spots, pores, wrinkles, and texture. Multi-spectral imaging captures surface and subsurface skin conditions.
VIVASCOPE 1500
Laser Confocal Microscope providing real-time, non-invasive imaging of live epidermal layers up to 300 microns deep. Cellular-level visualization without biopsy.
16 SOLAR SIMULATORS
Fourteen 150W and two 300W Xenon Arc units from Solar Light Co. Semi-annual calibration and annual certification for FDA, ISO, COLIPA, and AS/NZ compliance.
COURAGE-KHAZAKA SUITE
Complete diagnostic array: Cutometer (elasticity), Corneometer (hydration), Tewameter (TEWL), Mexameter (melanin/erythema), Sebumeter, and pH meter.
DELFIN INSTRUMENTS
Moisture Meter D with XS5, S15, M25, L50 probes for multi-depth hydration (0.5mm-5mm). Vapometer for TEWL and Sebumeter for oil measurement.
PRIMOS 3D IMAGING
High-resolution three-dimensional skin surface mapping for precise wrinkle depth, texture quantification, and anti-aging claim substantiation.
LABSPHERE UV-2000S
Ultraviolet Transmittance Analyzer for in-vitro SPF and broad spectrum testing. Critical for pre-screening and formulation optimization.
CLIMATE CHAMBERS
Three temperature and humidity-controlled chambers with 50+ person combined capacity for antiperspirant, deodorant, and environmental stress testing.
CHROMAMETER & SPECTROPHOTOMETER
Minolta Color Computer and Konica Minolta CM-2600d for precise colorimetric analysis of skin whitening, tanning, and pigmentation changes.
BALLISTOMETER
Precision measurement of skin firmness and elasticity through controlled mechanical testing. Essential for anti-aging and firming product claims.
WEST-ITCH ESTHESIOMETER
Objective quantification of itch response for anti-pruritic product testing. Standardized measurement methodology for defensible claims.
MORITEX CHARM VIEW
Video microscope system with 15x to 700x magnification for detailed surface analysis, hair shaft examination, and scalp condition assessment.
Our Experts
Clinical Team of Excellence
Credentials, experience, and unwavering commitment to quality.
Board-Certified Physicians
MEDICAL OVERSIGHT
Consulting physicians specializing in Dermatology, Ophthalmology, and Pediatrics provide medical interpretation and protocol development.
Principal Investigator
SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP
Oversees all study protocols, ensures regulatory compliance, and maintains scientific integrity across all testing.
QC/QA Supervisor
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Conducts routine inspections of all study aspects, from equipment calibration to data entry accuracy.
Qualified Technicians
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE
Intensive training in SPF/UVA guidelines, SOPs, GCP principles, and continuous education on evolving methodologies.
Statistical Analysts
DATA INTEGRITY
Ensures accurate data capture, appropriate statistical methods, and clear presentation of results.
IRB Committee
ETHICAL OVERSIGHT
Five+ members providing technical expertise and lay perspective for independent ethical review.
International Presence
Trusted Across Six Continents
Our clients span the globe—from innovative startups to established industry leaders.
UNITED STATES
CANADA
MEXICO
BRAZIL
JAPAN
THAILAND
INDIA
INDONESIA
KOREA
CHINA
ISRAEL
AUSTRALIA
DENMARK
UNITED KINGDOM
FRANCE
ITALY
GERMANY
SPAIN
SWITZERLAND
Giving Back
Cantor Cares
Where Science Meets Service
Cantor Cares is our commitment to service, education, and community impact, inspired by the life and legacy of our founder, Dr. Shyla Cantor, affectionately known as Dr. C. Guided by her devotion to the teachings of Sai Baba, Dr. C wove the principle of service into every part of the laboratory, believing that true excellence in science exists only when it is placed in service to others.
Our Roots
The spirit of seva, selfless service offered without expectation runs deep in our family. Long before Cantor Research Labs opened its doors, our history was grounded in social service, community care, and a belief that our highest purpose is to serve one another.
For Dr. C, science was never just a profession. It was a calling. Every protocol she refined, every study she designed, and every result she delivered was guided by a single intention: to protect people, advance knowledge, and leave the world better than she found it.
Cantor Cares honors this inheritance. It reflects our Indian roots, our mother’s unwavering devotion, and our family’s generations long commitment to supporting the communities we serve.
In Dr. C’s Memory
In honor of Dr. Shyla Cantor’s legacy, Cantor Cares is dedicated to advancing melanoma and skin cancer awareness through education.
As a laboratory focused on SPF and UV protection testing, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to help people understand the science of sun safety
before it becomes a diagnosis.
Dr. C believed that knowledge should be shared, taught, and used to empower others.
Through Cantor Cares, we carry her mission forward by extending her passion for
rigorous science and compassionate service beyond the laboratory and into the
community.
What Cantor Cares Intends to Focuses On
Science in Service
⬢ Translating SPF and UV science into accessible, meaningful knowledge
⬢ Supporting brands and organizations committed to consumer safety
Looking Ahead
Rooted in our mother’s legacy, Cantor Cares is an evolving concept. We are in the process of thoughtfully shaping a platform that reflects our values of service, education, and community care. As this vision continues to take form, we invite you to stay connected as we refine and bring Cantor Cares to life.
Get In Touch
Let's Discuss your Testing Needs
Expert Consultation. Customized Protocols. Reliable Results.
Contact Information
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Join Our Team
Become a Paid Study Panelist
Fun, easy way to supplement your income. No experience needed.
Earn Money Testing Products
Cantor Research Laboratories is always looking for volunteers to participate in our clinical studies. Whether you're testing sunscreens, moisturizers, anti-aging products, or cosmetics, you'll be contributing to real science while earning extra income.
Why Join Our Panel?
⬢ Get paid for your time (compensation varies by study)
⬢ No experience or special qualifications needed
⬢ Safe, professional environment with medical oversight
⬢ Contribute to important cosmetic and pharmaceutical research
⬢ Studies typically last 1-3 days
⬢ Flexible scheduling that works around your life
⬢ Try new products before they hit the market
What to Expect: Most studies involve simple tasks like applying products to your skin, having measurements taken with specialized equipment, or providing feedback on how products feel and perform. All studies are conducted in our comfortable, climate-controlled facility in Blauvelt, NY.
Who Can Participate: We welcome healthy men and women ages 18-70 from all backgrounds and skin types. We're especially interested in building diverse panels that represent real-world consumers.
Ready to get started? Fill out the form to join our panelist database!