Laureates of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Award

Professor of Physics, Central University of Venezuela. 

Prof. Anamaría Font is recognized for her work in theoretical particle physics, with a particular focus on developing the theory of superstrings. This describes, in a unified and consistent way, the elementary particles of nature. Her research has enabled further understanding of the theory’s consequences for the structure of matter and quantum gravity, which are also relevant to the description of black holes and the first moments after the big bang. 

Executive Vice President and Global Head of Genentech Research and Early Development, Genentech/Roche, San Francisco. 

Prof. Aviv Regev is awarded for her pioneering 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 our ability to decipher and target the mechanisms that cause disease, in order to develop better diagnostics and therapies. 
 

Savilian Professor of Geometry, University of Oxford.

Prof. Frances Kirwan is rewarded for her exceptional 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. 
 

Distinguished Professor, School of Earth Sciences and Climate, Queensland University of Technology, Australia and Director of the International Laboratory for air quality and health. 

Prof. Lidia Morawska is distinguished for her excellent 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. 

Professor of Chemical and Environmental Science and Engineering, Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. 

Prof. Suzana Nunes is awarded for her outstanding 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. 

Awarded for her central 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.  

Awarded for her 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. 

Awarded for her major 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. 

Awarded for her ground-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.  

Awarded for her pioneering 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. 

Awarded for her pioneering, 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. 

Awarded for her 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 precise structures and behavior of cells and molecules, even at 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.

Awarded for introducing and developing nanotechnology based analytical methods for the monitoring of water pollutants and applying them in countries heavily impacted by pollution. Her innovative work is of vital importance for the development of sustainable water resource management, respecting the environment. 

Awarded for her outstanding legacy in astrophysics which ranges from the discovery of molecules in the interstellar space to supercomputer simulations of galaxy formation. Her work has been crucial in our understanding of the birth and evolution of stars and galaxies, including the role played by supermassive black holes at galactic centers. 

Awarded for her pioneering 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 approximate solutions. 

For her pioneering research and advocacy to improve healthy ageing in low- and middle-income countries and their impact on health and social policy programs. 

For her fundamental discoveries concerning the mechanisms governing epigenetic processes, which allow mammals to regulate proper gene expression and are essential for life.

For her pioneering work on the use of environmentally friendly bacteria to support plant growth for increased agricultural productivity and reduced use of chemical fertilizers.

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.

For her outstanding contribution in Converging Engineering and Biological Sciences to develop innovative biomaterials that help tissue regeneration and drug delivery.

For her outstanding work in Algebraic Geometry.

For her outstanding contribution to digital images and signal processing, providing common and versatile algorithms for data compression.

For developing cutting-edge computational approaches that allow scientists to understand the physics of quantum matter.

For her ground-breaking work in manipulating molecules at the atomic level, in order to transform materials and create innovative materials.

For her pioneering work in identifying carcinogenic agents and other toxic air pollutants the in Middle East, and in modern nicotine delivery systems, such as cigarettes and hookahs.

For her remarkable contributions to understanding terrestrial ecosystem ecology in natural and human-modified landscapes.

For her groundbreaking research on how plants adapt to their surroundings and climate change, leading to new ways to improve crops.

For establishing a cutting-edge research programme on pneumonia, tuberculosis and asthma, saving the lives of many children worldwide.

For her outstanding research that helped to understand better how tissues and organs are formed in the developing embryo.

For her pioneering work on fossil records leading to insights on how aquatic vertebrates adapted to life on land.

For her contributions to the study of a variety of faint celestial objects hidden in the darkness of the universe.

For pioneering ultra-fast quantum computers.

For reinventing magnetic materials for next-generation Material Engineering devices.

For designing novel nanoparticles that could improve early detection of disease.

For inventing skin-inspired Material Engineering materials.

For her seminal discoveries on how mosquito-borne viruses reproduce and cause human diseases, particularly Dengue Fever.

For her game-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.

For her outstanding research into the biology of the bird flu virus, leading to the development and use of an effective vaccine.

For her game-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.

For her remarkable contribution to the prevention and treatment of HIV and associated infections, greatly improving the quality of life of women in Africa.

For her 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.

For her pioneering work on advanced laser photochemistry for creating 3D patterns in hydrogels that enable regeneration of nerve tissue. In addition, she established a new method to deliver biotherapeutics to the central nervous system, overcoming the blood-brain barrier.

For her key 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. 

For her 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.

For her significant contributions to inorganic solid state solvothermal chemistry at the nanoscale, particularly unconventional semi-conductor materials and graphene-like structures a few atoms thick. 

For her decisive work on the brain mechanisms involved in pain, mental illness and drug addiction.

For her contribution to our understanding of how brain cells communicate among themselves and with muscles.

For her critical 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.

For discovering key factors involved in controlling immune response (T-bet) in allergies and in autoimmune, infectious and malignant diseases.

For her research on how microorganisms living in symbiosis with forage grasses can improve their capacity to resist disease and adapt to environmental and climate change.

For having 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.

For her significant contributions to the understanding of daily variations of the ion currents in the upper atmosphere which may further our understanding of climate change.

For discovering 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.

For ingeniously 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.

For discovering 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.

For understanding the chemical communication between bacteria and opening new doors for treating infections.

For advancing our understanding of insulin secretion and of neonatal diabetes.

For identifying genes involved in some forms of epilepsy.

For discovering how plants survive under dry conditions.

For identifying how rotaviruses cause the death of 600,000 children each year.

For her work on the development of the fastest camera for recording events in attoseconds (a billionth of a billionth of a second).

For her work on corrosion, a problem of fundamental importance to water treatment and the oil industry.

For her work on bacterial and material behaviour under extreme conditions relevant to the environment and the Earth.

For her work on the chemical composition of nebulae which is fundamental to our understanding of the origin of the universe.

For her work on light-emitting materials and innovative ways of capturing solar energy.

For her work on a bacterial toxin that acts as a powerful insecticide.

For her contributions to our understanding of leukaemia and liver cancers.

For her contributions to our knowledge of skin Biological Sciences and skin stem cells.

For the discovery of marine snail toxins that can serve as powerful tools to study brain function.

For paving the way towards the development of a vaccine against the tropical disease schistosomiasis.

For her contribution to the development of molecular conductors and the design and synthesis of a single-component molecular metal. 

For her work in unraveling the mysteries of the physics of messy materials, ranging from cement to starch. 

For her work on the life of stars from the birth of the Universe to the present time. 

For the design and development of new materials with many applications including targeted drug delivery for cancer treatments and materials for high density optical data storage.

For her work on harnessing light for cancer therapy and for environmental clean-up.

For her structural studies of the protein biosynthesis system and its disruption by antibiotics.

For her contributions to the understanding of the molecular basis of hearing (sense).

For the discovery of the nature and maintenance of chromosome ends and their roles in cancer and aging. 

For her contributions to the characterization of inherited disorders.

For elucidating the formation of a new class of RNA molecules involved in gene regulation.

For her exploration and analysis of plants from Mauritius and their bio-medical applications. 

For her contributions to understanding solution properties of polymers. 

For her research on solid state materials, including conceptualizing the creation of carbon nanotubes.

For her contribution to the understanding of the shapes, sizes and motions of large molecules. 

For her efforts in supporting highly qualified women with children to facilitate their progress in science.

For her genetic investigations of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.

For her discovery of the mechanism and control of infections by amoebae in the tropics.

For her contribution to the analysis and prevention of hereditary disorders.

For her studies on the evolution of mammalian genomes.

For her discovery of how the immune system recognizes targets. 

For her innovative theoretical research on electrons in disordered materials such as glass.

For her fundamental investigations of detergents, emulsions and foams. 

For her pioneering theory and computer simulations of amorphous semiconductors and liquid metals.

For important experiments on electrical conduction and the transition between metals and insulators.

For her experiments and models on infrared spectroscopy and its applications to pollution detection and medicine.

For her elucidation of the genetic defects in hereditary deafness and other sensory disorders.

For her development of transgenic plants resistant to viral infections, drought, and other risks.

For her achievements in the understanding, treatment and prevention of Chagas' disease.

For her discoveries on the molecular control of growth, differentiation, and synapse formation in the nervous system.

For her characterization of the functions of T lymphocytes in immunity and the discovery of super-antigens.

For her theoretical work on the formation of tree-like structures.

For her discovery of novel techniques in electron microscopy.

For her experiments on critical opalescence in fluids.

For her work on crystal growth, including the formation of kidney stones.

For her theoretical studies on novel forms of carbon.

For her discoveries of the molecular pathways involved in vision and pathological alterations.

For her fundamental contributions to the pathogeny, prevention and treatment of leprosy.

For her lifetime achievements and exceptional participation in the development of modern molecular Biology.

For her development of immunofluorescence microscopy as a tool for the study of cytoskeletal structures.

For her systematic genetic investigations of Down syndrome and other neurological conditions in the Mediterranean region.

For her discovery of parental imprinting and its role in embryological development.

For her molecular-genetic identification and classification of hereditary blood diseases in Africa.

For her discoveries in reproductive Biology, which have paved the way to human assisted reproduction.

For her discoveries of the structure, biological functions and pathological implications of small RNA molecules.

For her contributions to the pathology, diagnosis and management of hereditary.

For her contributions to our understanding of the genetic basis of human lymphoma and other cancerous conditions.

For her original investigations on the Biology of marsupial tree frogs and her efforts on behalf of conservation in the Galapagos Islands.

For her elucidation of the mechanisms involved in the response of plant organisms to light

For her fundamental contributions to our understanding of DNA replication.

For her contributions to the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in Africa.

For her discovery of the molecular mechanism of retrograde DNA replication.

For her contributions to the fight against tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

For her efforts to apply modern science to the protection of plant ecosystems.
 

For her contributions to epidemiology cardio vascular disease in Africa.

For her elucidation of the mechanisms whereby pathogenic bacteria subvert immune defenses.
 

For her discoveries of protein folding and its relationship to human pathology.