The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards are presented every year to five outstanding women scientists – one per each of the following regions: Africa and the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America - in recognition of their scientific accomplishments. Each scientist has had a unique career path combining exceptional talent, a deep commitment to her profession and remarkable courage in a field still largely dominated by men.
The scientific fields considered for the awards alternate every other year between LifeSciences (even years) and PhysicalSciences, Mathematics and Computer Science (odd years).
Five L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Laureates received the Nobel Prize in their field of expertise: Christine Nusslein-Volhard and Elizabeth Blackburn in Medicine or Physiology, Ada Yonath, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna in Chemistry.
2020 LAUREATES
These five exceptional women scientists are recognized for the excellence of their research in the fields of life sciences
AFRICA AND THE ARAB STATES
Professor Abla MEHIO SIBAI – Medicine and Health sciences
Professor of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Awarded for her pioneering research and advocacy to improve healthy ageing in low- and middle-income countries and their impact on health and social policies and programs.
ASIA PACIFIC
Doctor Firdausi QADRI – Biological sciences
Senior Scientist, Head Mucosal Immunology and Vaccinology Unit, Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Awarded for her outstanding work to understand and prevent infectious diseases affecting children in developing countries, and promote early diagnosis and vaccination with global health impact.
LATIN AMERICA
Professor Esperanza MARTÍNEZ-ROMERO – Ecology and Environmental sciences
Professor of Environmental Science at the Genomic Science Center, National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Awarded for her pioneering work on the use of environmentally friendly bacteria to support plant growth for increased agricultural productivity while reducing the use of chemical fertilizers.
NORTH AMERICA
Professor Kristi ANSETH – Biological sciences
Distinguished Professor, Tisone Professor and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Colorado, Boulder, United States.
Awarded for her outstanding contribution in converging engineering with biology to develop innovative biomaterials that help promote tissue regeneration and more effective delivery of drugs.
EUROPE
Professor Edith HEARD FRS (1) – Biological sciences
Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Chair of Epigenetics and Cellular Memory at the Collège de France, Paris, France, and former Director of the Genetics and Developmental Biology Unit at the Institut Curie. (1)Fellow of the Royal Society.
Awarded for her fundamental discoveries of mechanisms governing epigenetic processes that allow mammals to regulate proper gene expression, which is essential for life.
previous editions
21th Edition (2019):
Awards in life sciences | International Rising Talents
20th Edition (2018):
Awards in life sciences | International Rising Talents
19th Edition (2017):
Awards in material sciences | International Rising Talents
18th Edition (2016):
Awards in life sciences | International Rising Talents
17th Edition (2015):
Awards in material sciences | International Rising Talents
16th Edition (2014):
Awards in life sciences | Fellowships
15th Edition (2013):
Awards in material sciences | Fellowships
2013 Programme of events
14th Edition (2012):
Awards in life sciences | Fellowships
13th Edition (2011):
Awards in material sciences | Fellowships