L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards

The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, created in 1998, aim to improve the position of women in science by recognizing outstanding women researchers who have contributed to scientific progress. The awards are a result of a partnership between the French company L'Oréal and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and carry a grant of $100,000 USD for each laureate. This award is also known as the L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Awards.[1][2][3][4]

L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards
L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program
Presented byUNESCO Edit this on Wikidata
Websitehttps://www.forwomeninscience.com/ Edit this on Wikidata
The winners of the 2010 UNESCO-L'Oréal Prize for Women in Science Awards Ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris – From left to right; Elaine Fuchs (United States of America), Anne Dejean-Assémat (France), Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of L'Oréal, Alejandra Bravo (Mexico), Lourdes J. Cruz (Philippines), Rashika El Ridi (Egypt), Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, and Günter Blobel, Nobel Prize in Medicine 1999.

Each year an international jury awards five laureates, selecting one from each of the following regions:

Eligibility requirements alternate every other year based on scientific discipline with laureates in life sciences recognized in even years and laureates in physical sciences, mathematics and computer science recognized in odd years (since 2003).

The same partnership awards the UNESCO-L'Oréal International Fellowships, providing up to $40,000 USD in funding over two years to fifteen young women scientists engaged in exemplary and promising research projects.[5] The Fellowship awards began in 2000[6] with a one-year award of US$20,000 and offered ten awards until 2003. In 2003, the number of awards increased to 15 and then in 2006, the grant period extended to two years and the amount of the award increased to US$40,000.[7] In 2015, the name Rising Talent Grants was implemented.[8]

As of 2023, 6 L'Oréal-UNESCO laureates have won also a Nobel Prize, these are: Elizabeth Blackburn in Physiology or Medicine (2008), Ada Yonath in Chemistry (2009), Emmanuelle Charpentier in Chemistry (2020), Jennifer Doudna in Chemistry (2020), Katalin Karikó in Physiology or Medicine (2023) and Anne L'Huillier in Physics (2023).

Recipients

Quarraisha Abdool Karim was the 2016 Laureate for Africa and the Arab States

Legend:

  Life sciences (LS)
  Physical sciences, mathematics and computer science (PMC)
YearLaureate forNameNationalityCredentialsRecognized for (her)
1998LSAfrica and the Arab StatesGrace Oladunni Taylor  NigeriaBiochemist, scholar, university professor.contributions to epidemiology cardio vascular disease in Africa
Asia and the PacificMyeong-Hee Yu  South KoreaResearcher and professor on micro Biological Sciences at Korean Institute of Science and Technology.discoveries of protein folding and its relationship to human pathology
EuropePascale Cossart  FranceProfessor at Bacteria-Cell interaction Unit, Institut Pasteurelucidation of the mechanisms whereby pathogenic bacteria subvert immune defenses
Latin America and the CaribbeanGloria Montenegro  ChileProfessor of botanic at the Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry Sciences Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chileefforts to apply modern science to the protection of plant ecosystems
2000LSAfrica and the Arab StatesValerie Mizrahi  South AfricaResearching at Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit, National Health Sciences Laboratory Service and University of the Witwatersrandcontributions to the fight against tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
Asia and the PacificTsuneko Okazaki  JapanProfessor of Molecular Biological Sciences at the Institute of Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health Sciences Universitydiscovery of the molecular mechanism of retrograde DNA replication
EuropeMargarita Salas  Spainfundamental contributions to our understanding of DNA replication
Latin America and the CaribbeanEugenia María del Pino Veintimilla  EcuadorProfessor of developmental Biological Sciences at Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuadororiginal investigations on the Biology of marsupial tree frogs and her efforts on behalf of conservation in the Galapagos Islands.
North AmericaJoanne Chory[9]  United StatesProfessor and Director Plant Molecular and Cellular Biological Sciences Laboratory Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigatorelucidation of the mechanisms involved in the response of plant organisms to light
Thressa Campbell Stadtman
2001LSAfrica and the Arab StatesAdeyinka Gladys Falusi  NigeriaProfessor of haematology at Institute for Medical Research & Training of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadanmolecular-genetic identification and classification of hereditary blood diseases in Africa
Asia and the PacificSuzanne Cory  AustraliaProfessor at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Researchcontributions to our understanding of the genetic basis of human lymphoma and other cancerous conditions
EuropeAnne McLaren  United Kingdomdiscoveries in reproductive Biology, which have paved the way to human assisted reproduction
Latin America and the CaribbeanMayana Zatz  BrazilProfessor of genetics University of São Paulocontributions to the pathology, diagnosis and management of hereditary
North AmericaJoan Steitz  United StatesProfessor of molecular Biological Sciences at Yale Universitydiscoveries of the structure, biological functions and pathological implications of small RNA molecules
2002LSAfrica and the Arab StatesNagwa Meguid  EgyptResearcher at the National Research Centre, Cairosystematic genetic investigations of Down syndrome and other neurological conditions in the Mediterranean region
Asia and the PacificIndira Nath  IndiaProfessor at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi - Former Founder Head of Department of Biotechnology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciencesfundamental contributions to the pathogeny, prevention and treatment of leprosy
EuropeMary Osborn  GermanyInternational Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biological Sciences (IUBMB). Member of University of Göttingen Research Committeedevelopment of immunofluorescence microscopy as a tool for the study of cytoskeletal structures
Marianne Grunberg-Manago  Francelifetime achievements and exceptional participation in the development of modern molecular Biology
Latin America and the CaribbeanAna María López Colomé  MexicoProfessor of biochemestry at the Institute of Cellular Physiology, National Autonomous University of Mexicodiscoveries of the molecular pathways involved in vision and pathological alterations
North AmericaShirley Tilghman  United StatesPresident, Princeton Universitydiscovery of parental imprinting and its role in embryological development
2003PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesAyse Erzan  TurkeyProfessor at Istanbul Technical Universitytheoretical work on the formation of tree-like structures
Karimat El-Sayed  EgyptProfessor of Crystallography at Ain Shams Universitywork on crystal growth, including the formation of kidney stones
Asia and the PacificLi Fanghua  Hong Kongdiscovery of novel techniques in electron microscopy
Latin America and the CaribbeanMariana Weissmann  ArgentinaProfessor at Argentine National Research Counciltheoretical studies on novel forms of carbon
North AmericaJohanna M.H. Levelt Sengers  Netherlandsexperiments on critical opalescence in fluids
2004LSAfrica and the Arab StatesJennifer Thomson  South AfricaProfessor at Department of Molecular and Cell Biological Sciences. University of Cape Townwork on transgenic plants resistant to drought and to viral infections, in an effort to respond to the continent's chronic food shortage
Asia and the PacificNancy Ip  Hong KongProfessor at Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technologydiscoveries concerning proteins which favour the growth and preservation of neurons in brain development
EuropeChristine Petit  FranceResearcher at Genetics of Sensory Defects Laboratory Institut Pasteurresearch on the molecular and cellular bases of human hereditary deafness and other sensorial deficiencies
Latin America and the CaribbeanLúcia Mendonça Previato  BrazilProfessor and Researcher of Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeirostudies which enable progress in the understanding, treatment and prevention of the Chagas disease
North AmericaPhilippa Marrack  United StatesProfessor at National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, Coloradothe characterization of lymphocyte T functions in the immune system and the discovery of superantigens
2005PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesZohra ben Lakhdar  TunisiaProfessor of Physics Laboratory of Atomic-Molecular Spectroscopy and Applications, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El Manarexperiments and models in infrared spectroscopy and its applications to pollution detection and medicine
Asia and the PacificFumiko Yonezawa  JapanProfessor Emeritus of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Kanagawa-Tokyopioneering theory and computer simulations on amorphous semiconductors and liquid metals
EuropeDominique Langevin  FranceCNRS Directeur de Recherches Laboratory of Solid State Physics, University of Paris-Sud, Orsayfundamental investigations on detergents, emulsions and foams
Latin America and the CaribbeanBelita Koiller  BrazilProfessor of Physics at the Institute of Physics Federal University of Rio de Janeiroinnovative research on electrons in disordered matter such as glass
North AmericaMyriam P. Sarachik  United StatesDistinguished Emeritus Professor of Physics Department of Physics, City College of New Yorkimportant experiments on electrical conduction and transitions between metals and insulators
2006LSAfrica and the Arab StatesHabiba Bouhamed Chaabouni  TunisiaProfessor of Medical Genetics at University of Tuniscontribution to the analysis and prevention of hereditary disorders
Asia and the PacificJennifer Graves  AustraliaEmeritus Professor in molecular science at Australian National University, Canberra Head, Comparative Genomics Research Group Director, ARC Centre for Kangaroo Genomicsstudies on the evolution of mammalian genomes
EuropeChristine Van Broeckhoven  BelgiumResearch Project Investigator - Laboratory Director - Department director - VIB Department of Molecular Genetics Campus Drie Eiken University of Antwerp - UA Universiteitsplein 1genetic investigation of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases
Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard  GermanySince October 2014 Director Emeritus of Research Group "Colour Pattern Formation" at the Max Planck Institute of Developmental Biological Sciences, Tübingenefforts in supporting highly qualified women with children to facilitate their progress in science
Latin America and the CaribbeanEsther Orozco  MexicoProfessor, Patología Experimental Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico Citydiscovery of the mechanisms and control of infections by amoebas in the tropics
North AmericaPamela Bjorkman  United StatesMax Delbruck Professor of Biological Sciences and Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute California Institute of Technology (CalTech) Pasadena, Californiadiscovery of how the immune system recognizes targets
2007PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesAmeenah Gurib-Fakim  Mauritiusexploration and analysis of plants from Mauritius and their bio-medical applications
Asia and the PacificMargaret Brimble[2]  New ZealandChair of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Auckland, Aucklandcontribution to the synthesis of complex natural products, especially shellfish toxins.
EuropeTatiana Birshtein[2]  Russiacontribution to the understanding of the shapes, sizes and motions of large molecules
Latin America and the CaribbeanLigia Gargallo  PeruProfessor, Department of Physical Chemistry Pontifical Catholic University of Chilecontributions to understanding solution properties of polymers
North AmericaMildred Dresselhaus  United Statesresearch on solid state materials, including conceptualizing the creation of carbon nanotubes
2008LSAfrica and the Arab StatesAda Yonath  IsraelProfessor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Weizmann Institute of Science structural studies of the protein biosynthesis system and its disruption by antibiotics
Lihadh Al-Gazali  IraqProfessor in Clinical Genetics and Paediatrics contributions to the characterization of inherited disorders
Asia and the PacificV. Narry Kim  South KoreaProfessor of biochemestry, cell Biological Sciences and Molecular Biological Sciences at Seoul National Universityelucidating the formation of a new class of RNA molecules involved in gene regulation
Latin America and the CaribbeanAna Belén Elgoyhen  ArgentinaProfessor of Pharmacology at the University of Buenos Aires and independent researcher of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council contributions to the understanding of the molecular basis of hearing (sense)
North AmericaElizabeth Blackburn[10]  AustraliaResearcher at molecular Biological Sciences at the University of California, member of the Institute of Medicinethe discovery of the nature and maintenance of chromosome ends and their roles in cancer and aging
2009PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesTebello Nyokong  South AfricaProfessor of Medical Chemistry and technology at Rhodes University, and a recipient of the Presidency of South Africa's Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze work on harnessing light for cancer therapy and for environmental clean-up
Asia and the PacificAkiko Kobayashi  JapanProfessor of chemistry emeritus at the University of Tokyo and Nihon University contribution to the development of molecular conductors and the design and synthesis of a single-component molecular metal
EuropeAthene M. Donald  United KingdomProfessor of Experimental Physics at the University of Cambridge and Master of Churchill College, Cambridge work in unraveling the mysteries of the physics of messy materials, ranging from cement to starch
Latin America and the CaribbeanBeatriz Barbuy  BrazilProfessor of astrophysics at the Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica Ciências Atmosféricas (IAG) at the University of São Paulo, vice-president of the International Astronomical Union work on the life of stars from the birth of the Universe to the present time
North AmericaEugenia Kumacheva[11]  CanadaProfessor of Chemistry at the University of Toronto and a Canada Research Chair in Advanced Functional Materialsthe design and development of new materials with many applications including targeted drug delivery for cancer treatments and materials for high density optical data storage
2010LSAfrica and the Arab StatesRashika El Ridi[12]  EgyptProfessor of Immunology, Department of Zoology Faculty of Science, Cairo Universitypaving the way towards the development of a vaccine against the tropical disease schistosomiasis
Asia and the PacificLourdes J. Cruz  PhilippinesProfessor of Immunology, at the University of Philippines Marine Science Instittute, Founder of the rural Livehood Incubator in Bataanthe discovery of marine snail toxins that can serve as powerful tools to study brain function
EuropeAnne Dejean-Assémat[12]  FranceResearch Director at INSERM and Professor at the Pasteur Institute, head of the Laboratory of Nuclear Organization and Oncogenesis at the Pasteur Institute and the INSERM Unit 993 Molecular and Cellular Biological Sciences of Tumorscontributions to our understanding of leukaemia and liver cancers
Latin America and the CaribbeanAlejandra Bravo  MexicoResearcher at the Institute of Molecular MicroBiological Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)work on a bacterial toxin that acts as a powerful insecticide
North AmericaElaine Fuchs[13]  United StatesInvestigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor of Mammalian Cell Biological Sciences and Development at The Rockefeller Universitycontributions to our knowledge of skin biology and skin stem cells
2011PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesFaiza Al-Harafi  KuwaitProfessor of chemistry at Kuwait University, member of the Board of Director of Kuwait University work on corrosion, a problem of fundamental importance to water treatment and the oil industry; notable contributions to electrochemistry with particular emphasis on corrosion and catalysis
Asia and the PacificVivian Wing-Wah Yam  Hong KongProfessor in chemistry and Energy at the University of Hong Kong work on light-emitting materials and innovative ways of capturing solar energy; pioneering contributions in the molecular design of photo-active materials that are particularly relevant to solar energy conversion
EuropeAnne L'Huillier  FranceProfessor of atomic physic at Lund University in Sweden work on the development of the fastest camera for recording the movement of electrons in attoseconds (a billionth of a billionth of a second); pioneering experimental and theoretical contributions to harmonic light generation as a base technology for attosecond science
Latin America and the CaribbeanSilvia Torres-Peimbert  MexicoPresident of the International Astronomical Union and member of the American Astronomical Society and the Academy of Sciences of the Developing World, Mexico work on the chemical composition of nebulae which is fundamental to our understanding of the origin of the universe; fundamental contribution to the studies of nebulae that have led to a better understanding of the chemical evolution of galaxies and the universe
North AmericaJillian Banfield[14]  AustraliaProfessor at the University of California, Berkeley with appointments in the Earth Science, Ecosystem Science and Materials Science and Engineering departments work on bacterial and material behavior under extreme conditions relevant to the environment and the Earth; for pioneering achievements in environmental science integrating chemical, biological, mineralogical, and proteogenomic influences
2012LSAfrica and the Arab StatesJill Farrant  South AfricaProfessor of Molecular and Cell Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Townthe elucidation of mechanisms by which plants overcome drought conditions
Asia and the PacificIngrid Scheffer  AustraliaPaediatric neurologist and senior research fellow at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Sciencesidentifying genes involved in some forms of epilepsy
EuropeFrances Ashcroft  United KingdomRoyal Society GlaxoSmithKline Research Professor at the University Laboratory of Physiology at the University of Oxford discovery of an ATP-sensitive potassium channel linking glucose metabolism and insulin secretion and its role in neonatal diabetes
Latin America and the CaribbeanSusana López Charretón  MexicoProfessor of virology at the Institute of Biotechnology at the National Autonomous University of Mexicoelucidating the mechanisms of rotavirus infections
North AmericaBonnie Bassler[15]  United StatesProfessor in Molecular Biological Sciences and chair of the Department of Molecular Biological Sciences at Princeton Universitydiscovering the chemical signals and mechanisms bacteria use to communicate and coordinate group behaviors
2013PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesFrancisca Nneka Okeke[16]  NigeriaProfessor of Physics at the University of Nigeria significant contributions to the understanding of daily variations of the ion currents in the upper atmosphere which may further our understanding of climate change
Asia and the PacificReiko Kuroda[17]  JapanForeign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in its class for chemistry, Professor at the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Tokyodiscovering the functional importance of the difference between left handed and right handed molecules which has wide applications including research on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's
EuropePratibha Gai[18]  United KingdomMicroscopist and Professor and Chair of Electron Microscopy and former Director at The York JEOL Nanocentre, Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Yorkingeniously modifying her electron microscope so that she was able to observe chemical reactions occurring at surface atoms of catalysts which will help scientists in their development of new medicines or new energy sources
Latin America and the CaribbeanMarcia Barbosa[19]  BrazilFreelance Biogeography consulting and training at Portugaldiscovering one of the peculiarities of water which may lead to better understanding of how earthquakes occur and how proteins fold which is important for the treatment of diseases
North AmericaDeborah S. Jin[20][21]  United Stateshaving been the first to cool down molecules so much that she can observe chemical reactions in slow motion which may help further understanding of molecular processes which are important for medicine or new energy sources
2014LSAfrica and the Arab StatesSegenet Kelemu  EthiopiaDirector General of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Director of Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA); Vice President of Programs at the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and Leader of Cropresearch on how microorganisms living in symbiosis with forage grasses can improve their capacity to resist disease and adapt to environmental and climate change
Asia and the PacificKayo Inaba  JapanDirector, Kyoto University Gender Equality Promotion Center / Executive Vice-President for Gender Equality, International Affairs, and Public Relations, Kyoto University/ Guest Investigatorcritical discoveries concerning the mechanisms triggered by the immune system when it is faced with a threat such as a virus or bacteria or by abnormal cells such as cancer cells
EuropeBrigitte Kieffer[22]  FranceProfessor at Strasbourg University, Director of INSERM at Strasbourg and Institut Douglas at Montrealdecisive work on the brain mechanisms involved in pain, mental illness and drug addiction
Latin America and the CaribbeanCecilia Bouzat[22]  ArgentinaPrincipal Investigator of the CONICET and Deputy Director of the Institute of Biochemical Research of White Bay (INIBIBB)contribution to our understanding of how brain cells communicate among themselves and with muscles
North AmericaLaurie Glimcher[22]  United StatesPresident and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Member of the American Philosophical Societydiscovering key factors involved in controlling immune response (T-bet) in allergies and in autoimmune, infectious and malignant diseases
2015PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesRajaâ Cherkaoui El Moursli  MoroccoProfessor of nuclear physics at Mohammed V's Rabat Universitykey contribution to one of the greatest discoveries in physics: proof of the existence of the Higgs Boson, the particle responsible for the creation of mass in the universe
Asia and the PacificXie Yi  ChinaChemist, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, professor and doctoral supervisor at University of Science and Technology of Chinasignificant contributions to inorganic solid state solvothermal chemistry at the nanoscale, particularly unconventional semi-conductor materials and graphene-like structures a few atoms thick
EuropeCarol Robinson  United KingdomChemist and President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society Researcher Professor at the Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Oxford groundbreaking work in macromolecular mass spectrometry and pioneering gas phase structural biology by probing the structure and reactivity of single proteins and protein complexes, including membrane proteins
Molly S. Shoichet[23]  CanadaProfessor, Chemistry and biomedical engineering at Toronto University Head of the research program Shoichetlab specialized to the regenerative medecine pioneering work on advanced laser photochemistry for creating 3D patterns in hydrogels that enable regeneration of nerve tissue
Latin America and the CaribbeanThaisa Storchi Bergmann  BrazilPresident of Cross-Division D-J Commission Supermassive Black Holes, Feedback and Galaxy Evolution at UFGRS / Head of Research Group Department of Astronomy - IF-UFRGS outstanding work on super-massive black holes in the centers of galaxies and their associated regions of dense gas, dust, and young stars surrounding them, as well as their role in the evolution of galaxies
2016LSAfrica and the Arab StatesQuarraisha Abdool Karim[24]  South AfricaAssociate Scientific Director of the AIDS research center, CAPRISA, Professor in Clinical Epidemiology at the Columbia University, honorary professor in Public Health Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natalremarkable contribution to the prevention and treatment of HIV and associated infections, greatly improving the quality of life of women in Africa
Asia and the PacificChen Hualan  ChinaMember of the World Organisation for Animal Health Sciences (OIE), member of the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), Researcher and PhD Supervisor at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of Chinese Academyoutstanding research into the biology of the bird flu virus, leading to the development and use of an effective vaccine
EuropeEmmanuelle Charpentier  FranceProfessor and researcher in microbiological Sciences, Genetics and Biochemistry, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biological Sciences, Berlingame-changing discovery, alongside Professor Jennifer Doudna, of a versatile DNA editing technique to “rewrite” flawed genes in people and other living organisms, opening tremendous new possibilities for treating, even curing, diseases
Latin America and the CaribbeanAndrea Gamarnik[25]  ArgentinaProfessor, Molecular Virology Laboratory, Fundación Instituto Leloir, CONICET, Buenos Airesseminal discoveries on how mosquito-borne viruses reproduce and cause human diseases, particularly Dengue Fever.
North AmericaJennifer Doudna  United StatesLi Ka Shing Chancellor Chair Professor, Department of Chemistry and Department of Molecular and Cell Biological Sciences, University of California, Berkeleygame-changing discovery, alongside Professor Emmanuelle Charpentier, of a versatile DNA editing technique to “rewrite” flawed genes in people and other living organisms, opening tremendous new possibilities for treating, even curing, diseases
2017PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesNiveen Khashab  LebanonAssociate Professor of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) contributions to innovative smart hybrid materials aimed at drug delivery and for developing new techniques to monitor intracellular antioxidant activity
Asia and the PacificMichelle Simmons  Australia  United KingdomProfessor and Director of the Center of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, University of New South Walespioneering contributions to quantum and atomic electronics, constructing atomic transistors en route to quantum computers
EuropeNicola Spaldin  United KingdomProfessor and Chair of Materials Theory, ETH Zürichgroundbreaking multidisciplinary work predicting, describing and creating new materials that have switchable magnetic and ferroelectric properties
Latin America and the CaribbeanMaría Teresa Ruiz[26]  ChileProfessor, Department of Astronomy, Universidad of Chilediscovery of the first brown dwarf and her seminal work on understanding the faintest stars, including stars at the final stages of their evolution (white dwarfs)
North AmericaZhenan Bao  ChinaProfessor of Chemical Engineering and Material Science and Engineering, Stanford Universityoutstanding contribution to and mastery of the development of novel functional polymers for consumer electronics, energy storage and biomedical applications
2018LSAfrica and the Arab StatesHeather Zar  South AfricaProfessor and Chair, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health Sciences, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Director SAMRC Unit, University of Cape Townestablishing a cutting-edge research programme in pneumonia, tuberculosis and asthma, saving the lives of many children worldwide
Asia and the PacificMeemann Chang  ChinaProfessor, Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences pioneering work on fossil records leading to insights on how aquatic vertebrates adapted to life on land
EuropeCaroline Dean  United KingdomProfessor, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park groundbreaking research on how plants adapt to their surroundings and climate change, leading to new ways for crop improvement
Latin America and the CaribbeanAmy T. Austin  ArgentinaProfessor, IFEVA-CONICET, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Buenos Aires remarkable contributions to understanding terrestrial ecosystem ecology in natural and human-modified landscapes
North AmericaJanet Rossant  United KingdomSenior Scientist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada Professor, University of Toronto, Canada, President, Gairdner Foundation, Director, Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine outstanding research that helped us to better understand how tissues and organs are formed in the developing embryo
2019PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesNajat A. Saliba  LebanonProfessor of Chemistry and Director of the Nature Conservation Center at the American University of Beirut pioneering work in identifying carcinogenic agents and other toxic air pollutants in the Middle East
Asia and the PacificMaki Kawai  JapanDirector General, Institute for Molecular Science, University of Tokyo, Japan, member of the Science Council of Japan, President of the Chemical Society of Japan ground-breaking work in manipulating molecules at the atomic level, in order to transform materials and create innovative material
EuropeClaire Voisin  FranceDirector at CNRS, Institute of Mathematics of Jussieu - Professor, Chair of Algebraic Geometry at the Collège de Franceoutstanding work in algebraic geometry
Latin America and the CaribbeanKaren Hallberg  ArgentinaProfessor of Physics at the Balseiro Institute and Research Director at the Bariloche Atomic Centre, CNEA/CONICETdeveloping cutting-edge computational approaches that allow scientists to understand the physics of quantum matter
North AmericaIngrid Daubechies  BelgiumProfessor of Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke Universityexceptional contribution to the numerical treatment of images and signal processing, providing standard and flexible algorithms for data compression
2020LSAfrica and the Arab StatesAbla Mehio Sibai[27][28][29]  LebanonProfessor of Epidemiology and Public Health Sciences, American University of Beirutpioneering research and advocacy to improve healthy ageing in low- and middle-income countries and their impact on health and social policy programmes
Asia and the PacificFirdausi Qadri[27][28]  BangladeshSenior Director, Infectious Diseases Division, International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease and Research, Dhakaoutstanding work to understand and prevent infectious diseases affecting children in developing countries, and promote early diagnosis and vaccination with global health impact
EuropeEdith Heard[27][28]  United KingdomDirector General of the European Molecular Biological Sciences Laboratory, Professor and Chair of Epigenetics and Cellular Memory at the Collège de Francefundamental discoveries concerning the mechanisms governing epigenetic processes, which allow mammals to regulate proper gene expression and are essential for life
Latin America and the CaribbeanEsperanza Martínez-Romero[27][28]  MexicoProfessor of Environmental Science, Genomic Science at the Center of the National Autonomous University of Mexicopioneering work on the use of environmentally friendly bacteria to support plant growth for increased agricultural productivity and reduced use of chemical fertilizers
North AmericaKristi Anseth[27][28]  United StatesDistinguished Professor, Tisone Professor, Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Colorado, Boulderoutstanding contribution in converging engineering and biology to develop innovative biomaterials that help tissue regeneration and drug delivery
2021PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesCatherine Ngila[28][30]  South AfricaActing Executive Director of the African Academy of Sciences, Former Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs (DVC-AA) at Riara University, Kenya, and Visiting Professor of Applied Chemistry at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa:introducing, developing and applying nanotechnology-based analytical methods to monitor water pollutants. Her innovative work is of vital importance for the development of water resource management in an environmentally sustainable way
Asia and the PacificKyoko Nozaki[28][30]  JapanProfessor of Chemistry at the University of Tokyo, Japanpioneering, creative contributions within the field of synthetic chemistry, and their importance to industrial innovation. Her research has led to new, highly effective and environmentally friendly production processes to manufacture molecules useful for medicine and sustainable agriculture
EuropeAlicia Dickenstein[28][30]  ArgentinaProfessor and Galaxies and Cosmology Chair at the Collège de France in Paris, and Astrophysicist at the Paris Observatory - PSL, France:outstanding contributions at the forefront of mathematical innovation by leveraging algebraic geometry in the field of molecular biology. Her research enables scientists to understand the structures and behaviour of cells and molecules, even on a microscopic scale. Operating at the frontier between pure and applied mathematics, she has forged important links to physics and chemistry, and enabled biologists to gain an in-depth structural understanding of biochemical reactions and enzymatic networks
Latin America and the CaribbeanShafi Goldwasser[28][30]  Israel  United StatesProfessor of Mathematics at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentinapioneering and fundamental work in computer science and cryptography, essential for secure communication over the internet as well as for shared computation on private data. Her research has a significant impact on our understanding of large classes of problems for which computers cannot efficiently find even approximate solutions
North AmericaFrançoise Combes[28][30]  United StatesDirector of the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing, Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at University of California Berkeley, RSA Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, United States of America and Professor of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics at Weizmann Institute, Israel :outstanding contribution to astrophysics which ranges from the discovery of molecules in interstellar space to supercomputer simulations of galaxy formation. Her work has been crucial to our understanding of the birth and evolution of stars and galaxies, including the role played by supermassive black holes in galactic centers
2022LSAfrica and the Arab StatesAgnès Binagwaho[28]  RwandaProfessor of Pediatrics and Vice-Chancellor of Global Health Equity University, Kigali, Rwandacentral role in expanding access to public healthcare for the most vulnerable communities in Rwanda, Africa and beyond, helping reduce the global burden of disease and improving lives.

In particular, she focuses on best practices in building resilient health systems and improving the quality, availability, and affordability of healthcare services for people suffering with diseases including HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. This has never been more important than now as overwhelmed healthcare systems across the world struggle to build back stronger in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asia and the PacificHailan Hu[28]  ChinaProfessor and Executive Director of the Neuroscience Center of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Chinamajor discoveries in social and emotional neuroscience. Her ground-breaking work has revolutionized scientific understanding of mental health and, deciphered the mechanism of depression to inform innovative treatment strategies and new medicines. These breakthroughs are vital in the wake of the mental health crisis sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic, with nearly 30% of the global population suffering from depression according to Lancet.

She is passionate about raising awareness and illuminating pathways to high impact solutions, particularly given that in many parts of the world, the illness remains largely under diagnosed and still taboo.

EuropeÁngela Nieto [es][28]  SpainProfessor at the Institute of Neuroscience (CSIC-UMH)fundamental discoveries in embryonic development, which have paved the way for understanding how cancer extends to other organs and forms metastases, the secondary tumours that cause more than 90% of cancer-related deaths.

In particular, she explores how cells change identity in the embryo to disseminate and form different tissues. This in turn stands to illuminate how cancer spreads and inform better therapeutic strategies.

Latin America and the CaribbeanMaría Guzmán [es][28]  CubaInfectious disease and virology, Director of the Research Center of the Pedro Kouri Institute (IPK), Institute of Tropical Medicinepioneering work to address the devastating human infections caused by the dengue virus, one of the world's most serious diseases in terms of morbidity and mortality, causing 390 million dengue virus infections annually¹.

Her research has led to a better understanding of its pathogenesis and risk factors, the origin of several epidemics of dengue haemorrhagic fever, the development of diagnosis and monitoring, and the search for potential new vaccines. It will also strengthen training for medical students and personnel, helping to ensure the next generations are better equipped to fight these viruses.

North AmericaKatalin Karikó[28]  Hungary  United StatesAdjunct Professor at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, United States of America, and Senior Vice President at BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, United States of Americaground-breaking development of a non-inflammatory mRNA, as a potent vaccine to prevent viral and parasitic infections. Her research has contributed to the development of the COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

She has been conducting years of research which led to a solution for one of the basic problems of RNA, namely the low and short-lived protein production. Professor Karikó discovered that nucleoside-modified mRNA – compared to unmodified and non-optimized mRNA – had a better tolerability and could be administered at higher doses.

Her research has paved the way for future therapies in complex diseases such as cancer, heart failure, stroke, anaemia, and autoimmune diseases.

2023PMCAfrica and the Arab StatesSuzana Nunes [fr][31]  BrazilProfessor of Chemical and Environmental Science and Engineering, Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabiaoutstanding work in developing innovative membrane filters to achieve highly efficient chemical separations with a lower carbon footprint. Her research has proven to be particularly beneficial to the water, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries in achieving a more sustainable environment
Asia and the PacificLidia Morawska[31]  Australia  PolandDistinguished Professor, School of Earth Sciences and Climate, Queensland University of Technology, Australia and Director of the International Laboratory for air quality and healthexcellent research in the field of air pollution and its impact on human health and the environment, with a specific focus on atmospheric particulate matter. Her extraordinary dedication and impact have built a bridge from fundamental science to real-world policy and practice to provide clean air for all
EuropeFrances Kirwan[31]  United KingdomSavilian Professor of Geometry, University of Oxfordexceptional work in pure mathematics combining geometry and algebra in order to develop techniques to understand the classification of geometric objects. These techniques have been used by theoretical physicists searching for mathematical descriptions of our universe. Her recent work has the potential to help scientists to extract crucial information from large complex data sets
Latin America and the CaribbeanAnamaría Font[31]  VenezuelaProfessor of Physics, Central University of Venezuelaimportant contributions in theoretical particle physics, in particular to the study of String Theory. Her research has furthered the theory's implications for the structure of matter and quantum gravity, which is also relevant to the description of black holes and the first instants after the big bang
North AmericaAviv Regev[31]  IsraelExecutive Vice President and Global Head of Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech/Roche, San Franciscopioneering work applying mathematics and computer science to revolutionize cell biology. Her research enables scientists to discover and characterize the trillions of cells within the body and enhances scientists’ ability to decipher and target the mechanisms that cause disease, in order to develop better diagnostics and therapies

Source:[32]

Special tributes

On the 25th anniversary of the award (2023), a special tribute was given to three researchers in exile, who were or had been forced to interrupt their scientific career in their home country and have pursued their career abroad. A financial reward and a medal of honor was awarded to Mursal Dawodi (artificial intelligence) from Afghanistan, Ann Al Sawoor (mathematics) from Iraq, and Marycelin Baba (molecular biology) from Nigeria.[33]

Fellows - International rising talents

From 2000 to 2014, fellowships were awarded yearly to doctoral and post-doctoral women to allow them to pursue their research in host laboratories outside their home countries.

Established in 2015, the International Rising Talent Grants are awarded annually to 15 PhD students and post-doctoral Fellows. They replace the former International Fellowships.

2000 Fellows[34]

  • Yézoumi Akogo, Togo
  • Dorsaf Essebaï, Tunisia
  • María del Pilar Jiménez Alzate, Colombia
  • Rhoda Kariba, Kenya
  • Margarita Marqués Martínez, Spain
  • Sonia Nasr, Lebanon
  • June Young Park, Republic of Korea
  • Marcia Roye, Jamaica
  • Tatyana Savchenko, Azerbaijan
  • Yufeng Wang, China

2001 Fellows[35]

  • Rebecca Salu Livingstone, Nigeria Zoology
  • Reine Raïssa Note, Congo Pharmacology
  • Analilia Arroyo Becerra, Mexico Plant biology
  • Jacqueline Chaparro Olaya, Colombia Parasitology
  • Suraini Abd-Aziz, Malaysia Biochemistry
  • Allison Joy Haywood, New Zealand Planktonology
  • Amaal Mohamadein Ahamad, Egypt Ecotoxicology
  • Chantal Farra, Lebanon Human genetics
  • Miroslava Atanassova, Bulgaria Microbiology
  • Jarmila Nahalkova, Slovakia Plant biology

2002 Fellows[36]

2003 Fellows

  • Sodangi Abdulkarim Luka Gesinde (Nigeria) Parasitology
  • Darie Alikaj (Syria) Virology
  • Rocío Díaz-Benjumea Benavides (Venezuela) Parasitology/Cell Biology
  • Shiva Seyed Forootan (Iran) Molecular Biology
  • Dionicia Gamboa Vilela (Peru) Molecular Biology
  • Karin Jacobs (South Africa) Mycology
  • Adriana Jalba (Romania) Plant Biology
  • Mary George Kaileh (Palestinian Authority) Molecular Biology
  • María Gabriela Palomo (Argentina) Marine Ecology
  • Samia Rejiba (Tunisia) Molecular Biology
  • Ahou Edwige Siransy (Côte d'Ivoire) Physiology
  • Devi Stuart-Fox (Australia) Ecology/Evolutionary Biology
  • Ahu Altinkut Uncuoglu (Turkey) Molecular Biology
  • Victoria Yavelsky (Israel) Molecular Biology/Immunology

2004 Fellows[37]

  • María Teresa Abreu (Venezuela) Cellular Biology
  • Salwa Hamid Al Khayat (Yemen) Microbiology
  • Mouna Al-Sabbagh (Syria) Biotechnology
  • Maryam Aminu (Nigeria) Virology
  • Ines Atmosukarto (Indonesia) Microbiology
  • Semra Aygün (Turkey) Molecular Biology
  • Silvia Bilokapic (Croatia) Molecular Biology
  • Elena Luminita Bradatan (Romania) Medicine/Oncology
  • María Laura Guichón (Argentina) Ecology
  • Bibi Rehana Jauhangeer (Mauritius) Molecular Microbiology
  • Blandina Lugendo (Tanzania) Marine Biology
  • Ghinwa Naja (Lebanon) Physical Chemistry
  • Rosa Estela Navarro (Mexico) Developmental Biology
  • Farzana Shaheen (Pakistan) Chemistry
  • Diana Webster (New Zealand) Medical Science

2005 Fellows[38]

  • Aisha Abubakar Abdulwahab (Nigeria) – Prevalence of tuberculosis in humans and animals in Nigeria
  • Mariam Allach (Morocco): Rehabilitation, protection and sustainability of the argan tree
  • Cho N’Din Catherine Boni-Cisse (Côte d'Ivoire) – Characterization of haemophilus influenzae of isolated strains of meningitis
  • Marlein Miranda Cona (Cuba): Development of radiopharmaceuticals to detect and treat malignant tumors
  • Michelle Lucinda de Oliveira[39] (Brazil): Liver cancers: link between liver resection and metastasis development
  • Habiba Drici (Algeria): Molecular Biology: lactic bacteria used in the production of fermented foods
  • Özlem Zehra Keskin (Turkey): Structural biochemistry of proteins
  • Fati Kirakoya (Burkina Faso) – Biostatistics: association between sexually transmissible disease and HIV infection in Ouagadougou
  • Ketsiri Kueseng (Thailand): Polymer Science: water and oil repellency of Thai silk
  • María Valeria Lara (Argentina): Genetic Engineering: tobacco and other drought-resistant plants
  • Yong Sun Kye (North Korea): Genetic Engineering: insect-resistant soybean plants
  • Katharine Arwen Michie (Australia): Biochemistry: SMC protein complex and interaction with DNA
  • Agnieszka Elzbieta Sadowska (Poland): Neurobiology: polarization of developing neurons
  • Reema Fayez Tayyem (Jordan): Epidemiology of colon cancer: inhibitory effect of curcuma
  • Paola Tiberia Zanna (Italy): Melanogenesis: Expression of the MC1R gene

2006 Fellows[40]

  • Zeina Daher (Lebanon) Biochemistry: Study Of Mitochondrial DNA Mutations
  • Juana del Valle Mendoza (Peru) Immunology: Development Of A Therapeutic Vaccine Against Hiv-1, The Virus Responsible For Aids
  • Dilfuza Egamberdiyeva (Uzbekistan) Environmental Microbiology: Development Of Environmentally Friendly, Bacteria-Based fertilizer
  • Ghada Ahmed Mohamed Abu El-Heba (Egypt) Molecular Biology: Improvement Of Nitrogen-Fixation In Leguminosae
  • Sabah Ben Fredj (Tunisia) Microbiology: Study Of The Genetic Variability Of Fungi Found On Grapes In Tunisian Vineyards
  • Valérie Gbonon (Côte d'Ivoire) Microbiology: Study Of The Virulence Factors Of Group B Streptococcus Bacteria Infections To Improve Antibiotic Treatment For Pregnant Women And Newborns
  • Stéphanie Jenouvrier (France) Ecology: The Impact Of Global Warming On The Population Dynamics Of Emperor Penguins
  • Anita Krisko (Croatia) Structural Biology: Computer Modeling To Investigate How Degradation Of Proteins In The Eye Lens Can Lead To Blindness
  • Priyadharshini Madhou (Mauritius) Plant Biotechnology: Study Of Genes Controlling Plant Resistance To Fungus Infection
  • Irene Maier (Austria) Biomedicine: Development Of An Immunological Biochip To Facilitate Clinical Diagnosis Of Food Allergies
  • Andréa Mantesso,[41] (Brazil) Health Sciences: Study Of Dental Stem Cells To Provide Innovative Solutions For Cavities And Craniofacial Deformities
  • Prudence Mutowo (Zimbabwe) Molecular Biology: Study Of Gene Regulation In Archaea
  • Mun Peak Nyon (Malaysia) Structural Biology: Determining The Three-Dimensional Structure Of Cutinase
  • Diana Pérez Staples (Mexico) Behavioral Ecology: Study Of Biological Pest Control To Reduce The Use Of Environmentally Dangerous Insecticides
  • Ruchi Singh (India) Parasitology: Identification Of Genes Involved In Drug-Resistance Of Leishmaniasis

2007 Fellows[42]

  • Fatima Musbah Abbas (Sudan) Plant Molecular Biology
  • Mestawet Taye Asfaw (Ethiopia) Food Science
  • Rhimou Bouhlal (Morocco) Marine Biology
  • Venetia Briggs (Belize) Behavioral Ecology
  • Nancy Chandia (Chile) Organic Chemistry
  • Irene Chiolo (Italy) Molecular Biology
  • Gisella Cruz Garcia (Netherlands Conservation Biology/Ecology
  • Khady Nani Dramé (Senegal) Plant Biotechnology
  • Fenny Dwivany (Indonesia) Molecular Biology
  • Laura Echarte (Argentina) Crop Physiology
  • Petra Klepac (Croatia) Epidemiology
  • Sarrah Ben M'barek (Tunisia) Plant Biotechnology
  • Christine Ouinsavi (Benin) Forest Biology
  • Barno Sultanova (Uzbekistan) Biotechnology
  • Chawanee Thongpanchang (Thailand) Medicinal Chemistry

2008 Fellows:[43][44]

  • Hakima Amjres, Morocco
  • Naranjargal Dashdorj, Mongolia
  • Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat, Lebanon
  • Made Tri Ari Penia Kresnowati, Indonesia
  • Federica Migliardo, Italy
  • Yonelle Dea Moukoumbi, Gabon
  • Susanna Phoboo, Nepal
  • Maria João Rego Rodrigues, Mozambique
  • Lina María Saavedra Díaz, Colombia
  • Hanneline Adri Smit, South Africa
  • Alma Tostmann, the Netherlands
  • Carolina Trochine, Argentina
  • Andrea Von Groll,[45] Brazil
  • Maja Zagmajster, Slovenia
  • Jamillah Zamoon, Kuwait

2009 Fellows[46]

  • Marie Abboud (Lebanon) Non-invasive optical methods for the study of biological structures
  • Rima Al-Besharat (Syria) local probiotic bacteria for use in functional food products
  • Ishrat Bano (Pakistan) Development of magnetic nanoparticles for use in drug delivery
  • Yean Yean Chan (Malaysia) Electrochemical DNA biosensors for molecular diagnosis of infectious disease
  • Nonhlanhla Dlamani (South Africa) African traditional medicine used in the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma
  • Berta González Frankenberger (Mexico) speech and voice processing in neonates and premature babies
  • Cecilia Gonzales-Marin (Peru) oral infections and medical complications in pregnant women
  • Fina Kurreeman (Mauritius) Study of genes specifically associated with rheumatoid arthritis
  • Khadijetou Lekweiry (Mauritania) Transmission of malaria in the Nouakchott
  • Lydia Lynch (Ireland) human omentum as an immunological tool
  • Joan Munissi (Tanzania) Antimicrobial compounds isolated from cultures of Tanzanian marine-derived fungi
  • Ivana Pešić (Serbia) identification of urine proteins, renal disease
  • Mareike Posner (Germany) resistance of enzyme structures within organisms adapted to extreme conditions
  • Jingyi Shi (China) Genetics of acute myeloid leukemia
  • Paula Villar (Argentina) computer-based model of the heart in 3D

2010 Fellows[47]

  • Diana Marcela Bolaños Rodríguez (Colombia)
  • Nawal Bouayayne (Morocco)
  • Ghalia Boubaker (Tunisia)
  • Hadeer El-Dakhakni (Egypt)
  • María Gabriel Gei (Costa Rica)
  • María-Teresa Guardiola-Claramonte (Spain)
  • Antima Gupta (India)
  • Elisabeth Lendoye (Gabon)
  • Irene Margiolaki (Greece)
  • Margoth Mitchela Moreno Vigo (Peru)
  • Marietta Solange Soupi Nkeutcha (Cameroon)
  • Djoudi Roukia (Comoros)
  • Yifen Tan (Malaysia)
  • Marissa Teo (Singapore)
  • Svitlana Yablonska (Ukraine)

2011 Fellows[48]

  • Mais Absi (Syria) molecular endocrinology
  • Reyam Al-Malikey (Iraq) ecology
  • Andia Chaves Fonnegra (Colombia) marine ecology
  • Isabel Cristina Chinchilla Soto (Costa Rica) ecology
  • Samia Elfékih (Tunisia) molecular biology
  • Hagar Gelbard-Sagiv (Israel) neurobiology
  • Alejandra Jaramillo Gutiérrez (Panama) parasitology
  • Tatiana Lopatina (Russia) cell biology
  • Nilufar Mamadalieva (Uzbekistan) plant biochemistry and pharmacology
  • Germaine L. Minoungou (Burkina Faso) virology
  • Justine Germo Nzweundji (Cameroon) plant biotechnology
  • Jiban Jyoti Panda (India) biotechnology
  • Ladan Teimoori Toolabi (Iran) medical biotechnology
  • Triin Vahisalu (Estonia) plant molecular biology
  • Fadzai Zengeya (Zimbabwe) agricultural sciences

2012 Fellows[49]

  • Kathrin Barboza Márquez (Bolivia) Behavioural Ecology
  • Dana Bazzoun (Lebanon) Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Giomar Helena Borrero-Pérez (Colombia) Marine Biology
  • Naama Geva-Zatorsky (Israel) Molecular and Systems Biology
  • Emna Harigua (Tunisia) Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics
  • Zoë Hilton (New Zealand) Marine Biology
  • Gladys Kahaka (Namibia) Biotechnology/Biochemistry
  • Aziza Hassan Kamel (Egypt) Virology
  • Vita Majce (Slovenia) Molecular Biology and Chemistry
  • Dora Medina (Mexico) Bioengineering
  • Peggoty Mutai (Kenya) Medicinal Chemistry
  • Sidrotun Naim (Indonesia) Molecular Virology
  • Patricia Miang Lon Ng (Singapore) Protein Engineering
  • Johannie Maria Spaan (South Africa) Wildlife Biology
  • Elza Van Deel (The Netherlands) Cardiology and Molecular Genetics

2013 Fellows[50]

  • Naima Abattouy, Morocco Biology
  • Beatriz Álvarez Sanna, Uruguay Biochemistry
  • Ariana Barbera, Cuba Immunology
  • Enkhmaa Davaasambuu, Mongolia Maternal Health
  • Laure El-Chamy, Lebanon Molecular Biology
  • Marina Faiella, Italy Biochemistry and Biotechnology
  • Sri Fatmawati, Indonesia Natural Products Chemistry
  • Lina Gallego, Colombia Cancer Genomics
  • Florencia Linero, Argentina Virology
  • Allison Louthan, United States of America Ecology
  • Kanika Mitra, Bangladesh Food science
  • Marie Florence Ngo Ngwe, Cameroon Plant Biotechnology
  • Sahwa Adil Nourein, Sudan Clinical immunology
  • Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi, Nigeria Environment and Toxicology
  • Osnat Penn, Israel Computational Biology
  • Anita Takura, Ghana Agricultural and Environmental Science

2014 Fellows[51]

  • Francisca Barake, Chile Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Katalin Czondor, Hungary Neurobiology
  • Adila Elobeid, Sudan Medicine
  • Selena Giménez Ibánez, Spain Plant Molecular Genetics
  • Emma Gray, South Africa Ecology
  • Jingmei Li, Singapore Human Genetics
  • Sandra López-Verges, Panama Virology
  • Farah Ouechtati, Tunisia Neuroscience
  • Mio Ozawa, Japan Nutritional Epidemiology
  • Tania Pozzo, Bolivia Biotechnology
  • Bhama Ramkhelawon, Mauritius Obesity and diabetes
  • Gul Shahnaz, Pakistan Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Science
  • Alia Shatanawi, Jordan Cardiovascular Pharmacology
  • Aramide Dolapo O Shingboye, Nigeria Food science
  • Ahu Arslan Yildiz, Turkey Biotechnology

2015 International Rising Talents

Established in 2015, the International Rising Talent Grants are awarded annually to 15 PhD students and post-doctoral Fellows. Fellows are chosen from among the winners of the 236 fellowships awarded locally by L’Oréal subsidiaries and UNESCO around the world, to give additional support at the international level to promising young women researchers.[52] They replace the former International Fellowships. The 2015 International Rising Talents are:[8]

  • Nourtan Abdeltawab, Egypt Immunogenetics of Infectious Diseases
  • Carolina Andrade, Brazil Medicinal Chemistry
  • Aurore Avarguès-Weber, France Cognitive Neurosciences
  • Yoke-Fun Chan/Chan Yoke-Fun, (Chan is the surname) Malaysia Molecular virology
  • Vanessa D’Costa, Canada Immunogenetics of Infectious Diseases
  • Kathryn Holt, Australia Pathogen Genomic Epidemiology
  • Matilde Jiménez Coello, Mexico Infectious Diseases
  • Adriana Marais, South Africa Physics, Quantum Biology
  • Signe Normand, Denmark Plant Ecology, Macroecology, Biogeography
  • Eva M. Pellicer, Spain Materials Science, Nanotechnology
  • Trần Hà Liên Phương, Vietnam Pharmaceutical sciences
  • Bhama Ramkhelawon, United States Medicine (diabetes and obesity)
  • Sanaa Sharafeddine, Lebanon Computer and Communications Engineering
  • Mary Stoddard, United States Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Ornithology
  • Ariela Vergara Jaque, Chile Computational Structural Biology

2016 International Rising Talents

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme established the International Rising Talent Grants, awarded annually to 15 PhD students and post-doctoral Fellows who are chosen among the former winners of the 236 fellowships awarded locally by L’Oréal subsidiaries and UNESCO around the world. The goal is to support promising women researchers and give them more visibility so that, through the awards, these young scientists can achieve the increased recognition that their talent deserve, but dod not always receive, both within their country and by their peers. International Rising Talents are chosen from countries in each world region, Africa & Arab States, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America. The 2016 L'Oréal-UNESCO International Rising Talents are:[53][54]

Technology and engineering: innovations that could change the face of medicine
  • Dr. Eszter Farkas (Hungary) Biological Sciences
  • Prof. Jasmeen Merzaban (Saudi Arabia) Biological Sciences
  • Dr. Yilun Ying (China) Chemistry
  • Dr. Elisa Orth (Brazil) Chemistry[53]

Physical sciences: a profound impact on our world

The study of galaxy mergers with implications for a new understanding of how galaxies evolve

  • Dr. María del Rocío Vega Frutis (Mexico) Biological sciences

Life and environmental sciences: critical issues for the future of our planet

  • Dr. Ira Didenkulova (Russia) Physics
  • Dr. Anaïs Orsi (France) Earth sciences
  • Dr. Habiba Alsafar (United Arab Emirates) Medical engineering

Solutions in health sciences through modern medicine

  • Dr. María J. Buzón (Spain) Biological sciences
  • Dr. Hiba El Hajj (Lebanon) Clinical medicine
  • Dr. Risa Mukai (Japan) Biological sciences
  • Dr. Bernadeta Szewczyk (Poland) Biological sciences
  • Dr. Elena J. Tucker (Australia) Biological sciences

2017 International Rising Talents

In 2014, the L’Oréal-UNESCO programme has established the International Rising Talent Grants, awarded annually to 15 PhD students and post-doctoral Fellows.These young researchers are chosen among the former winners of the 250 fellowships awarded locally by L’Oréal subsidiaries and UNESCO Field Offices around the world. By recognizing their achievements at a key moment in their careers, the For Women in Science programme aims to help them pursue their research.[55][56]

Watching the brain at work
  • Doctor Lorina Naci, Canada, Fundamental medicine. In a coma: is the patient conscious or unconscious?
  • Associate Professor Muireann Irish, Australia, Clinical medicine. Recognizing Alzheimer’s before the first signs appear.

On the road to conceiving new medical treatments

  • Doctor Hyun Lee, Germany, Biological Sciences. Neurodegenerative diseases: untangling aggregated proteins.
  • Doctor Nam-Kyung Yu, Republic of Korea, Biological Sciences, Rett syndrome: neuronal cells come under fire
  • Doctor Stephanie Fanucchi, South Africa, Biological Sciences. Better understanding the immune system.
  • Doctor Julia Etulain, Argentina, Biological Sciences. Better tissue healing.

Finding potential new sources of drugs

  • Doctor Rym Ben Sallem, Tunisia, Biological Sciences. New antibiotics are right under our feet.
  • Doctor Hab Joanna Sulkowska, Poland, Biological Sciences. Unraveling the secrets of entangled proteins.

Getting to the heart of matter

  • Ms Nazek El-Atab, United Arab Emirates, Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering. Miniaturizing electronics without losing memory.
  • Doctor Bilge Demirköz, Turkey, Physics. Piercing the secrets of cosmic radiation.
  • Doctor Tamara Elzein, Lebanon, Material Sciences. Trapping radioactivity.
  • Doctor Ran Long, China, Chemistry. Unlocking the potential of energy resources with nanochemistry.

Examining the past to shed light on the future – or vice versa

  • Doctor Fernanda Werneck, Brazil, Biological Sciences. Predicting how animal biodiversity will evolve.
  • Doctor Sam Giles, United Kingdom, Biological Sciences. Taking another look at the evolution of vertebrates thanks to their braincases.
  • Doctor Ágnes Kóspál, Hungary, Astronomy and Space Sciences. Looking at the birth of distant suns and planets to better understand the solar system.

2018 International Rising Talents

Each year, the International Rising Talents programme selects the 15 most promising women scientists among the 275 national and regional fellows of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science programme. These young women are the very future of science and recognizing their excellence will help ensure that they reach their full potential.[57]

  • Dr. Areej Abuhammad (Jordan) Fundamental medicine
  • Danielle Twilley (South Africa) Biological Sciences, medicinal plant sciences
  • Dr. Hanifa Taher Al Blooshi (United Arab Emirates) Chemical Engineering
  • Dr. Ibtissem Guefrachi (Tunisia) Microbiology
  • Dr. Weang Kee Ho (Malaysia) Heath sciences, epidemiological statistics
  • Dr. Hiep Thi Nguyen (Vietnam) Medical engineering
  • Dr. Yukiko Ogawa (Japan) Material engineering
  • Dr. Radha Boya (United Kingdom) Physics
  • Dr. Agnieszka Gajewicz (Poland) Chemistry
  • Dr. Anna Kudryavtseva (Russia) Biological sciences
  • Associate Prof. Duygu Sag (Turkey) Biological sciences, immunology
  • Dr. Ai Ing Lim (United States of America) Fundamental medicine
  • Dr. Selene Lizbeth Fernández Valverde (Mexico) Biological sciences and genomics
  • Dr. Rafaela Salgado Ferreira (Brazil) Chemistry
  • Dr. Anela Choy (United States of America) Biological sciences, oceanography
  • Dr.Priscilla Kolibea Mante (Ghana) Neurosciences
[58]

2019 International Rising Talents

Among the 275 national and regional fellowship winners supported each year, the For Women in Science programme selects the 15 most promising researchers for this international recognition.

Africa and the Arab States
  • Dr. Saba Al Heialy – Health sciences (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Dubai), Mohammed Bin Rashid University for Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Dr. Zohra Dhouafli – Neuroscience/ Biochemistry (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Tunisia), Center of Biotechnology of Borj-Cédria
  • Dr. Menattallah Elserafy – Molecular biology/Genetics (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Egypt), Zewail City of Science and Technology
  • Dr. Priscilla Kolibea Mante – Neurosciences (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Ghana), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

North America

  • Dr. Jacquelyn Cragg – Health sciences (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Canada), University of British Columbia

Latin America

  • Dr. Maria Molina – Chemistry/Molecular biology (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Argentina), National University of Rio Cuarto
  • Dr. Ana Sofía Varela – Chemistry/Electrocatalysis (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Mexico), Institute of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico

Asia-Pacific

  • Dr. Sherry Aw – Neuroscience (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Singapore), Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
  • Dr. Mika Nomoto – Molecular biology / Plant pathology (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Japan), University of Nagoya
  • Dr. Mary Jacquiline Romero – Quantum physics (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Australia), University of Queensland

Europe

  • Dr. Laura Elo – Bioinformatics (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Finland), University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University
  • Dr. Kirsten Marie Ørnsbjerg Jensen [Wikidata] – Material chemistry, structural analysis (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Denmark), University of Copenhagen
  • Dr. Biola María Javierre Martínez – Genomics (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Spain), Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute
  • Dr. Urte Neniskyte – Neuroscience (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Lithuania), University of Vilnius
  • Dr. Nurcan Tuncbag – Bioinformatics (L'Oréal-UNESCO regional fellowship Turkey), Middle East Technical University

2020 International Rising Talents

Among the national and regional fellowship winners supported each year, the For Women in Science programme selects the 15 most promising researchers for this international recognition.

Africa and the Arab States
  • Dr Laura-Joy Boulos – Neuroscience. Levant, Saint-Joseph University, Lebanon
  • Dr Nowsheen Goonoo – Biomedicine. Sub-Saharan Africa, University of Mauritius
  • Dr Nouf Mahmoud – Health Sciences. Levant, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan
  • Georgina Nyawo – Molecular Biology, Medical Microbiology. Sub-Saharan Africa, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

North America

Latin America

  • Dr Paula Giraldo Gallo – Physics. Colombia, University of the Andes
  • Dr Patrícia Medeiros – Biological sciences. Brazil, Federal University of Alagoas

Asia-Pacific

  • Dr Rui Bai – Biological sciences. China, Westlake University
  • Dr Huanqian Loh – Physics. Singapore, National University of Singapore
  • Dr Mikyung Shin – Biomaterials. Republic of Korea, Sungkyunkwan University

Europe

  • Dr Vida Engmann – Material Engineering. Denmark, University of Southern Denmark
  • Dr Serap Erkek – Molecular biology / Epigenetics. Turkey, Cancer Epigenomics Laboratory, Biomedicine and Genome Center
  • Dr Jennifer Garden – Chemistry. United Kingdom, University of Edinburgh
  • Dr Cristina Romera Castillo – Marine sciences. Spain, Institute of Sea Sciences
  • Dr Olena Vaneeva – Mathematics. Ukraine, Institute of Mathematics of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine

2022 International Rising Talents[28]

Africa and the Arabs states
  • Dr. Lina Dahabiyeh, Basic medicine, The University of Jordan, Jordan
  • Dr. Ndeye Maty Ndiaye, Material engineering, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal
  • Dr. Waad Saftly, Physics, Al-Baath University, Syria

Asia and the Pacific

  • Dr. So Young Choi, Industrial biotechnology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea
  • Dr. Van Thi Thanh Ho, Chemical engineering, Hochiminh City University of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam
  • Dr. Pantana Tor-ngern, Earth and related environmental sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
  • Dr. Daria Smirnova, Physics, Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

Europe

  • Dr. Natalia Bruno, Physics, National Institute of Optics of the National Research Council, Italy
  • Dr. Karolina Mikulska-Ruminska, Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Poland
  • Dr. Ieva Plikusiene, Chemistry, Vilnius University, Lithuania
  • Dr. Beatriz Villarroel, Physics, Stockholm University, Sweden

Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Dr. Maria Florencia Cayrol, Biological science, Institute of Biomedical Research - UCA - CONICET, Argentina
  • Dr. Irene del Real, Earth and related environmental sciences, Austral University, Chile

North America

  • Dr. Daphné Lemasquerier, Physics, University of Texas at Austin, United States of America
  • Dr. Alison McAfee, Biological science, University of British Columbia and North Carolina State University, Canada

Regional programmes

"Women in Science" has national and regional awards.[59]

See also

References

External links