Yan Ning in 2011
UNESCO and the L'Oréal Foundation today announced the five laureates of the 2024 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, including Yan Ning, Professor at the School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua University, President of the Shenzhen Academy of Medical Sciences and Director of the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory.
Their pioneering research in the life and environmental sciences has made a significant contribution to addressing global public health challenges, including cancer and infectious diseases such as malaria and polio, as well as chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and epilepsy. The award ceremony will take place on 28 May at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
Each year, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards honours five outstanding women from five regions: Africa and the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America.
The 26th edition of the winners was selected by an independent international jury from a pool of 350 candidates from around the world. The jury was chaired by Professor Brigitte L. Kieffer, Director of Research at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Member of the French Academy of Sciences, and winner of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award.
The laureates' outstanding achievements demonstrate that the scientific community needs women's participation now more than ever to address challenges such as major public health issues. Currently, cancer cases could increase by 77% by 2050, one-eighth of the world's population is affected by obesity, and malaria infections still exceed 249 million.
Lidia Brito, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, said that empowering women scientists is a matter of equity and practice. Women make up half of the population, and tackling the daunting challenges we face – whether environmental degradation, climate and biodiversity destruction, pandemics, the technological divide or persistent poverty – requires the wisdom of all of humanity.
Laureate of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award
African and Arab States Laureate: Professor Rose Leke – Immunology
Former Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon, former Director of the Centre for Biotechnology
Professor Lake has demonstrated leadership in pioneering efforts to improve outcomes for malaria in pregnancy, supported polio eradication and improved vaccination in Africa, and optimized career paths for young scientists. Dr. Lake's national, regional, and global impact has far-reaching implications for public health in his home country, Cameroon, and throughout Africa. These accomplishments make her a role model for young women scientists, as well as an important educator and supporter.
Latin American and Caribbean Laureate: Prof. Alicia Kowaltowski – Biochemistry
Professor of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, Brazil
Professor Kovatowski has made outstanding contributions to the field of mitochondrial biology. Mitochondria are "the cell's main source of energy, equivalent to the cell's battery". Her research work is critical to our understanding of the impact of energy metabolism on chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and aging. Young scientists are inspired by their outstanding contributions to research and education, as well as their efforts to promote science and popular science in Latin America.
North American Laureate: Professor Nada Jabado – Human Genetics
Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University, Canada, and Chair in Canadian First Level Research in Paediatric Oncology
Professor Jabado has revolutionized our understanding of the genetic defects that cause aggressive childhood brain tumors. Her first discovery of histone mutations in human disease led to a fundamental revolution in the field of cancer research. Through innovative research and efficient leadership to build a global network of collaborators, Professor Jabado has reshaped the medical approach to childhood cancer, advancing diagnostic techniques and clinical treatments for the benefit of many young patients.
Asia and the Pacific Laureate: Prof. Ning Yan – Structural Biology
Professor of the School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, President of the Shenzhen Academy of Medical Sciences, and Director of the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory
Professor Yan Ning discovered a variety of membrane protein atomic structures that mediate the transport of ions and sugars across cell membranes, revealing the principle of transmembrane transport. Her research excellence has advanced research on a variety of conditions, including epilepsy and arrhythmias, and has guided the treatment of pain syndromes. As an authority in the field, Dr. Ngan is an inspiration to women scientists across the globe and a strong advocate for gender equality in research and science education.
European winner: Professor Geneviève Almouzni – Molecular Biology
Director of Research, Centre National des Sciences Sciences, Institut Curie, France
Professor Almzni revealed the process by which proteins wrap DNA within the nucleus. Her pioneering work in epigenetics has further advanced our understanding of how cellular properties are determined during normal development and how they are destroyed by cancer. Her extraordinary achievements in advancing research, educating the next generation of scientists, and encouraging women to pursue a career in science are inspiring.
26 years of empowering women scientists
According to UNESCO, women now make up only one-third of the world's scientific research workforce. In addition, the problem of glass ceilings remains: only a quarter of Europe's senior scientific positions are currently held by women. Since the establishment of the Nobel Prize in Science in 1901, there have been only 25 female laureates.
Over the past 26 years, the L'Oréal Foundation and UNESCO have partnered to promote gender equality in science in more than 140 countries through the World For Women in Science Award and the Young Talent Programme. Since 1998, the proportion of women among Nobel laureates in science has increased significantly compared to the previous period, reflecting the impact of these actions.
Since its launch, the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme has honoured more than 4,400 women scientists, including 132 Women in Science laureates and more than 4,000 young women scientists. Of these, seven were later awarded Nobel Prizes in the field of natural sciences.
