14th Ceremony for the L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science

The 2012 Laureates and International Fellows gathered on stage after a week dedicated to exciting scientific exchanges.

14th Ceremony for the L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science:


Laureate for Africa and the Arab States, Jill Farrant (South Africa) is Professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of Cape Town. She has been recognised for discovering how plants survive under dry conditions.

L’Oréal and UNESCO renew their support for science



Laureate for Latin America, Susana López (Mexico) is a Professor of Genetics and Molecular Physiology at the National University of Mexico. She has been recognised for her studies on rotaviruses that cause the death of 600,000 children each year.

PARIS 30 March/PRNewswire/ – The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards Ceremony, presided by Professor Günter Blobel, Nobel Prize in Medicine 1999, took place last night at UNESCO headquarters. Five exceptional women scientists who contribute to resolving major global challenges were distinguished by the awards, presented by Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO and Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation.



Laureate for Asia-Pacific, Ingrid Scheffer (Australia) is a paediatric neurologist and Professor at the University of Melbourne. She has been awarded for identifying genes involved in some forms of epilepsy.


Laureate for Europe, Frances Ashcroft (United Kingdom) is a Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics Professor at the Oxford University. She was honored for advancing our understanding of insulin secretion and of neonatal diabetes.

Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, commented, “In order to meet the challenges of the future, we must encourage science and women’s potential.”
Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation reaffirmed, “This award has changed the lives of numerous scientific women. In becoming emblematic of the ethical commitment of our company, this program has inspired and motivated us all.”

For more information, visit : www.fwis2012.com

Press contacts:

L’Oréal
Catherine Rose / +33 1 47 56 85 42 / catherine.rose@loreal.com
Laura Lovasik / +33 1 47 56 76 77 / laura.lovasik@loreal.com

Publicis Consultants
Florence Marin / +33 1 44 82 45 17 / florence.marin@consultants.publicis.fr
Colette Genin / +33 1 44 82 45 31 / colette.genin@consultants.publicis.fr

UNESCO Press Office
Sue Williams / +33 1 45 68 17 06 / s.williams@unesco.org
http://www.unesco.org


About the L’Oréal Foundation

The L’Oréal Foundation, created in 2007, pursues the goal of making the world a better place each day. It draws on the Group’s values and business to strengthen and perpetuate the Group’s commitment to social responsibility. As the second-largest corporate foundation in France, the L’Oréal Foundation is committed to three types of action: promoting scientific research in the fundamental and human sciences, supporting education and helping individuals made vulnerable by alternations to their appearance to reclaim their rightful place in society.


About UNESCO

Since its creation in 1945, UNESCO has pursued its mission of promoting science at the service of sustainable development and peace. It focuses on policy development and building capacities in science, technology and innovation and promoting and strengthening science education and engineering. UNESCO fosters the sustainable management of freshwater, oceans and terrestrial resources, the protection of biodiversity, and using the power of science to cope with climate change and natural hazards. The Organization also works to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to promote equality between men and women, especially in scientific research.

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