PARIS, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --
L'Oréal enterprise Foundations and UNESCO official unveil 2024 Year L'Oréal - UN List of the five laureates of the UNESCO For Women in Science Award. 5 moon 28 Day, L'Oréal - UN UNESCO For Women in Science Award Awards ceremony It will be at UNESCO headquarters in Paris Held in order to Honoring them in life and outstanding contributions in the field of environmental science, especially in the face of global public health challenges, she We are targeting cancer, malaria, poliomyelitis and other infectious diseases, as well as chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, epilepsy, etc Outstanding results 。 Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University Chairs Yan Ning, Professor, Founding Dean of Shenzhen Academy of Medical Sciences and Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, became the eighth Chinese scientist to receive the award since its inception 。Each year, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards (WMA) awards an outstanding woman from five regions: Africa and the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America.
This year, the five winners of the 26th edition of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards were selected from a pool of 350 outstanding candidates from around the world, selected by an independent jury chaired by Professor Brigitte L. Kieffer, Research Director of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and member of the French Academy of Sciences. Professor Brigitte Lena Kiefer is also a past recipient of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award.
The world needs science, and this year's five laureates are proof that science needs women more than ever. With one in eight people affected by obesity, more than 249 million malaria infections, and cancer cases likely to increase by 77% by 2050, the wisdom and strength of women scientists can help address these major issues together. (Source: World Health Organization)
L'Oréal - UNESCO 2024 year " World Outstanding Women Scientists Achievement Award "List of winners
Asia Pacific winners
Prof. Yan Ning – Structural Biology
Chair Professor of the School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Founding Dean of Shenzhen Academy of Medical Sciences, and Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory
Professor Yan Ning's work photo
Professor Yan Ning was awarded for his successful discovery of the atomic structures of a variety of membrane proteins that can mediate the transport of ions and sugars across membranes, revealing the principle of transmembrane transport. Her outstanding research has provided information on a variety of conditions, including epilepsy and arrhythmias, and has guided the treatment of pain syndromes. As an authority in his field, Professor Yan Ning inspires women scientists around the world and is an active advocate for gender equality in research and science education.
African and Arab States laureates
Professor Rose Leke - Immunology
Former Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology and former Director of the Centre for Biotechnology at the University of Yaoundé I I, Cameroon
Professor Rose Leke's work photo
Dr. Rose Luck was honored for her outstanding research and pioneering contributions to improving the treatment of pregnancy-associated malaria, supporting polio eradication in Africa, and improving immunization in Africa. In addition, she has always been committed to helping young scientists improve their career paths. Dr. Luck's national, regional, and global impact has had a profound impact on public health in her home country, Cameroon, and across Africa. She is an educator, advocate of women's scientific research, and a role model for young female scientists.
Latin America and the Caribbean Winners
阿莉西亚•科瓦洛托夫斯基(Alicia Kowaltowski)教授 – 生物化学
Professor of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, Brazil
阿莉西亚·科瓦洛托夫斯基(Alicia Kowaltowski)教授工作照
Mitochondria are also known as the "power plants of the cell", and Professor Alicia Kovalotovski received the award for her research in the field of mitochondrial biology for her work in unraveling the impact of energy metabolism on chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, as well as on the aging process. Her outstanding contributions as a researcher and mentor, as well as her work in popularizing science in Latin America, are an inspiration to young scientists.
North American winners
纳达•贾巴多(Nada Jabado)教授– 人类基因学
Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University, Canada, and Distinguished Specialist in Pediatric Oncology in the Canadian Chief Scientist Program
纳达·贾巴多(Nada Jabado)教授工作照
Professor Nada Jabado received the award for his breakthrough in the study of genetic defects in aggressive pediatric brain tumors. She was the first to reveal histone mutations in human disease, known as oncogenic histones, and this groundbreaking discovery revolutionized the field of cancer research. With her innovative research and strong leadership of a global network of collaborators, she has not only reshaped the approach to pediatric cancer, but also significantly improved diagnostic accuracy and optimized clinical outcomes for younger patients.
European winners
Professor Geneviève Almouzni – Molecular Biology
Director of Research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research and Director of the Institut Curie
Working photo of Professor Geneviève Almouzni
Professor Genevieve Almouzny received the award for his groundbreaking work in the study of how DNA is assembled by proteins in the nucleus. Her work in the field of epigenetics has further advanced our understanding of how cell fate is determined during normal development and carcinogenesis. She has not only made remarkable achievements in advancing scientific research, but has also made unremitting efforts to train the next generation of scientists and promote the development of women in science.
26 Over the years, we have continued to empower women in scienceAccording to UNESCO, only one in three researchers in the world is now a woman, or about 33 per cent. Moreover, the "glass ceiling" still exists – in Europe, only a quarter of senior research positions are held by women. Moreover, since the establishment of the Nobel Prize in Natural Sciences, only 7.5% of the previous laureates have been women.
For 26 years, the L'Oréal Foundation and UNESCO have been working together to promote gender equality in science, raise the profile of women scientists, and contribute to breaking the glass ceiling in science through the World Outstanding Women in Science Award and the Future Women in Science Programme.
Since its inception, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme has honoured more than 4,400 outstanding women scientists, including 132 international laureates and more than 4,000 young women researchers.
Seven of these laureates have been awarded the Nobel Prize.
Executive Director of the L'Oréal Corporate Foundation Alexandra Palt pointed"The future of sustainable human development depends on true equality between men and women. Despite the unprecedented challenges facing the world, it cannot be ignored that true gender equality has not yet been achieved in the field of science. For 26 years, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme has been advancing discussions on this topic. In particular, we are committed to elevating the impact of the research of many outstanding women scientists and inspiring the next generation of women researchers. The research completed by the five laureates of the 2024 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards has led to groundbreaking advances in human health, which is a powerful impetus for us to move forward. "
Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences of UNESCO Lidia Brito indication"Empowering women in science is not only a reflection of the pursuit of justice, but also an urgent need to solve real-world problems. Women make up half of the world's population, and we must muster the wisdom of all humanity to address the daunting challenges of environmental degradation, climate and biodiversity damage, the pandemic, the widening tech divide, and persistent poverty. The good news is that women are increasingly represented among Nobel laureates in the natural sciences. Since its inception in 1901, 25 women have been honoured, including 15 (60%) the Nobel Prize in the Natural Sciences since the launch of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme in 1998. It is worth mentioning that six of these 15 outstanding women were awarded the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award before winning the Nobel Prize.
About Professor Yan NingProfessor Ning Yan is Professor of Asia and the Pacific, Structural Biology
Chair Professor of the School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Founding Dean of Shenzhen Academy of Medical Sciences, and Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Contribute insights to the development of new therapiesWe present Professor Yan Ning with the 2024 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award for Her Work paving the way for the development of new therapies for revealing the atomic structure of numerous transmembrane proteins that regulate the transmembrane transport of chemicals such as glucose and multiple ions. Transmembrane transport requires special carriers and channels that are essential for maintaining the good functioning of cells, and any abnormalities can lead to disease. Using cryo-EM, a breakthrough technique that allows scientists to observe the composition and structure of transmembrane channels at the atomic level, she revealed the principles of transmembrane transport. From this, Professor Yan Ning provides a molecular explanation for the loss or mutation of cell function that may lead to pain or diseases such as epilepsy and arrhythmia. Her insights provide clear clues to the development of new therapies and drugs, such as non-addictive painkillers, while also providing a comprehensive perspective on understanding how a drug or toxin acts on proteins in the body.
Broaden the boundaries of knowledge"Our aim is to broaden the boundaries of human knowledge," said Professor Yan Ning, "and with leading technology, my work has shifted from exploring physiological and cellular processes to accurately understanding potentially effective health therapies." Ultimately, I hope to understand the universe through science, to explore the origin of life and the basis of consciousness. "
It is worth mentioning that Professor Yan Ning has been working on exploring a class of transmembrane proteins called "voltage-gated sodium ion channels", which control the transmission of electrical signals in the body and allow the body to respond immediately to various stimuli. To ensure continuous and efficient operation, these channels need to be opened and closed quickly. In 2017, Professor Yan Ning used cryo-electron microscopy to analyze the high-resolution sodium ion channel structure of electric eel, which laid the foundation for research in this field. The discovery also allows scientists to understand the active mechanisms of action of drugs and toxic substances, opening the way for the development of new therapies.
"In structural biology, we always proudly say 'seeing is believing,'" she says, "and looking at structures at atomic resolution allows us to solve mysteries right away – I think it's a miracle of nature." "
It is believed that women are equally good at scienceAs a child, Professor Yan Ning was inspired by the classical Chinese mythological novel Journey to the West, in which the protagonist Sun Wukong, who can transform into objects of any size, sparked her curiosity about the submicrocosm. After learning about Mendel's concept of genetics, she discovered that life can be encoded and decoded through genes, which strengthened her passion for life sciences. At first, she wanted to be a writer, but her real strengths were chemistry and physics, and her homeroom teacher, Ms. Guan Yi, also encouraged her to study science, "(teachers) often said to us, who said that girls can't learn science is just nonsense." Professor Yan Ning began his academic career as a biology student at Tsinghua University. Later, curious about foreign cultures and lifestyles, she applied to graduate programs in the United States, although at that time she did not have a clear idea of her future career.
In the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University, her doctoral supervisor inspired her to set high aspirations and provided a nurturing work environment where she explored the programmed death of cells and developed an enduring and deep interest in scientific research. "Gradually, I couldn't imagine not being a scientist." After that, she returned to Tsinghua University, which provides stable research funding and a favorable research environment to attract outstanding postdoctoral talents. Throughout her career, Professor Yan Ning has benefited greatly from international collaborations, learning complementary expertise and different ways of thinking.
Defend the rights and interests of women in society"We must establish gender equality, set more female role models, change the historical and cultural biases against women in academia and society, and show that women also have leadership and deserve fair recognition." She declared.
Professor Yan Ning is grateful to her parents for their encouragement and support. However, she must also fight for equal opportunities for her female students, earn a seat on the Science and Leadership Committee, and constantly remind her male colleagues about gender equality. Her social media advocacy for the elimination of sexism has garnered 1.3 million followers, which has also served as a platform for her to influence aspiring female scientists, telling them to "be brave, be confident, and dare to ask for help."
Professor Yan Ning continues the tradition of women scientists supporting women's careers in science. Since 2015, she has organized an annual forum for women scientists. "Now it's my turn to create an equally nurturing environment for young scholars, especially the women among them." She said. She is also living up to this commitment both inside and outside her lab, gradually recruiting more female principal investigators; More than half of the management positions at the two research institutes she leads are women.