On March 24th2016, the
international scientific community will gather for the 18th
edition of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards to
celebrate 5 exceptional women scientists and their groundbreaking work, as
well as 15 promising young researchers. In the face of unprecedented global
challenges, from climate change to healthcare to sustainable energy, their
discoveries are offering new solutions and answering vital questions. They
are proving time and time again that women in science have the power to
change the world.
Since 1998, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme aims
to ensure that research in every field takes full advantage of the
intelligence, creativity and passion of one-half of the population of the
planet. Over the past 18 years, the program has honoured 92 distinguished
Laureates and supported 2,438 greatly talented women for their outstanding
accomplishments that contribute to making the world a better place.
Impacting the lives of people around the planet, their discoveries are
offering new solutions and answering vital questions. Their ground breaking
innovation is advancing entire fields of research and even opening new ones.
The Laureates’ work and research is contributing to curing diseases,
increasing food supplies, enabling sustainable development, helping ensure
the survival of our planet to better understand our universe, adding to our
knowledge of the very foundations of life.
This year, 5 brilliant women are recognized from each of the following
regions: Africa and the Arab States, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and
North America. The 5 Laureates were nominated by more than 2,600 leading
scientists and then selected by an independent and international jury of 13
prominent scientists in the global scientific community. Professor
Elizabeth H. Blackburn, 2008 Laureate L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science,
2009 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, is this year
President of the jury and the first woman to be at the head of the Jury in
the history of the Awards.
The 2016 Laureates: At The
Cutting-Edge
The 2016 Edition of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards
celebrates the tenacity, the creativity and the intelligence of 5 eminent
women scientists. The 5 Laureates will be awarded on March 24th at
the Grand Amphitheatre of the Sorbonne in Paris and will receive a Prize of
€100,000 each to reward their contribution to science:
Africa And The Arab States
Professor Quarraisha ABDOOL KARIM
CAPRISA, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa
FOR CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF HIV.
36.9 million people live with HIV infection worldwide. Professor Abdool
Karim’s research has empowered women to help prevent HIV infection in Africa.
Asia/Pacific
Professor Hualan CHEN
Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, Harbin, China
FOR PROTECTING LIVES FROM DEADLY FLU VIRUSES.
Thanks to her research, the world has been protected from pandemics through innovative
vaccines.
Latin America
Professor Andrea GAMARNIK
Molecular Virology Laboratory, Fundación Instituto Leloir, Conicet, Buenos
Aires, Argentina
FOR LIMITING THE SPREAD OF DENGUE VIRUS.
Every year, 390 million people suffer from Dengue infection. Professor
Gamarnik’s research has the potential to control the spread of the disease.
Europe
Professor Emmanuelle CHARPENTIER
Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
FOR REINVENTING GENETIC RESEARCH.
There are over 10,000 incurable conditions caused by single genetic defects.
The gene editing technology developed by Professor Charpentier has the power
to “rewrite” DNA.
North America
Professor Jennifer DOUDNA
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University
of California, Berkeley, United States
FOR REINVENTING GENETIC RESEARCH.
There are over 10,000 incurable conditions caused by single genetic defects.
The gene editing technology developed by Professor Doudna has the power to
“rewrite” DNA.
For Professor Blackburn,the “2016’s laureates bring an extraordinary
vision and immediate solutions to major human health issues,
encompassing HIV, avian flu or dengue fever and have revolutionized genome
editing, enabling precise ‘rewriting’ of the DNA genetic code. All their
careers are exceptional, their discoveries truly new, and they epitomize
top-level research.”
This year, to raise awareness and bring visibility to women in science who
are changing the world, an International campaign will be launched on March
16th. Among other actions, millions of people on the streets of
Paris and travellers passing through the Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports
will discover two unique exhibitions of the 5 Laureates, thanks to exclusive
partnerships with JCDecaux and Aéroports de Paris. Viewers worldwide will
also be able to stay up to date on the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science
Awards week through short daily video updates on the L’Oréal Foundation’s
YouTube channel from March 21st – 25th.
Released
By:
L'Oréal Group
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