PR ABLA MEHIO SIBAI

MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES

Professor of Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

Population ageing is transforming the face of the 21st century society. People are now living 30 years longer than their ancestors just 100 years ago, and for the first time in human history, older adults over 65 have outnumbered children under 5, worldwide. This demographic phenomenon brings with it profound health, social, political and economic challenges, including a growing burden of chronic diseases and limited family resources available for elderly care. In a region where population ageing coincides with chronic political instabilities and economic turmoil, prospects for older Arab men and women to remain active and preserve quality of life as long as possible, is even more challenging. Professor Abla Mehio Sibai is addressing these questions through interdisciplinary, collaborative research that aims to advance our understanding of the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among older adults in underprivileged and post-war communities. She also seeks to influence a shift in the way we view elderly people’s right to enjoy a meaningful, fulfilling life. Through her globally recognized work,

she has built an international reputation in the field of gerontology and the epidemiology of NCDs, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and wellbeing across the life course. “As a researcher and public health activist, my work aims at understanding the context and factors that delay the decline as we age and promoting initiatives that tap into the benefits we bring with longer life,” explains Prof. Mehio Sibai.

“I hope to inspire a paradigm shift in the way we relate and act towards age and ageing.” Referring to her L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, she says: “This award is for all public health scholars working to make the world a better place for older people, especially those who are too often marginalised and ‘left behind’, whether they are women caregivers in India, smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa or older refugees in the Arab region.”

As a child, Prof. Mehio Sibai was inspired by mathematics.

“I enjoyed playing with numbers and riddles that required equations,” she recalls. However, she initially studied pharmacy, and her ultimate research interests were shaped by witnessing the impact of the Lebanese civil war from 1975 to 1990 on relatives and friends, and above all on the vulnerable older population. “My father was one of those severely affected when he lost a vibrant business and was forced into early retirement,” she explains. “I learnt from his resilience and ability to turn calamities into opportunities, but moreover, it was these experiences that instilled in me the passion for research on ageing and the importance of a human-centred approach to science.” The violence in Lebanon had also brought an abrupt end to her nascent pharmacy career and saw her become a full-time housewife and mother for the next ten years. However, she knew in her heart that only scientific research would enable her to achieve fulfilment and contribute fully to society.

Prof. Mehio Sibai returned to her studies, leveraging her lifelong love of mathematics and commitment to social justice to pursue PhD studies in epidemiology. Her early research focused on documenting the major demographic and epidemiologic transitions in Lebanon and was directed towards developing a better understanding of their respective implications on health and quality of life among older adults. It focused in particular on cardiovascular disease among the country’s ageing post-war populations. She co-led the country’s first ‘Global Burden of Disease’ project in 2001, and its first nation-wide World Health Organization ‘Non-Communicable Disease and Risk Factors Survey’, informing public health policy in Lebanon and globally. In a region that hosts one of the highest refugee populations in the world, she has also addressed challenges surrounding end of life care and clinical management of NCDs in primary care settings within refugee settlements. Prof. Mehio Sibai’s exploration of existing NCD research in Arab countries, where NCDs represent nearly 60% of the disease burden, highlighted the disconnect between research and policy, and the pressing need to optimize research in resource-scarce countries. This included examining and critiquing routine sources of data such as death certification processes and the overuse of cardiac catheterisation in her country. She also spearheaded the three mapping reviews of policies and programmes on ‘Ageing in the Arab region’ (2007, 2012, 2017), and is proud to be leading the development of the ‘National Strategy for Older Persons’ in Lebanon, for the country’s Ministry of Social Affairs. Beyond the comfort zone of her university setting, Prof Mehio Sibai is the director of Lebanon’s ‘Center for Studies on Aging’, which she co-founded in 2008. The centre leverages scientific research in Lebanon and the Middle East and acts as a catalyst for policy, advocacy and positive change. In 2010, she co-founded the ground-breaking ‘University for Seniors’ (UfS) lifelong learning programme at the American University of Beirut, providing older adults with “opportunities to remain intellectually energised, physically active and socially connected,” through education. UfS is run by seniors as lecturers and committee members on a volontary basis, and now offers more than 100 lectures, courses and workshops to more than 550 members annually. It has achieved international recognition as “an innovative and empowering initiative” and is even ‘prescribed’ by health professionals for its contribution to delaying cognitive decline. Prof. Mehio Sibai sees the socio-cultural barriers that prevent women from breaking the glass ceiling in research as very similar to those that combine to perpetuate ageism. “It is first and foremost a question of justice,” she says, asserting that

“we must speak up, advocate and act to challenge longstanding practices and stereotypes”.“And then it is a question of excellence,” she continues. “Science must harness the untapped energy of women, the other 50% of the population”.

While women are gradually claiming their space in academic spheres and asserting their voices in public life, there is still much to do. She concludes: “Every young female student has the right to pursue her passions and make the most of her talents.

More funding and improved policies that promote a greater work-life balance are vital to keeping the talent of women scientists alight across the world.”

DR FIRDAUSI QADRI

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Senior Scientist, Head Mucosal Immunology and Vaccinology Unit,

Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Globally, over 800,000 children die of diarrhoea each year, and 56% of children in low-income countries do not receive the recommended treatment.1 In Bangladesh, cholera and typhoid are both major causes of enteric diseases, yet many people lack the knowledge or means to prevent these debilitating, even life-threatening, conditions. Expanding access to vaccination and promoting early diagnosis are fundamental to decreasing the country’s disease burden and helping to ensure that more children and adults lead longer, healthier lives. Dr Firdausi Qadri is leading pioneering work to understand the microbiological and immunological basis of bacterial diseases and treat infectious enteric (gastro-intestinal) and diarrheagenic diseases affecting children in Bangladesh and beyond, optimizing vaccines for young children suffering from malnutrition. Her scientific excellence and passion to help others have led to major studies of an oral cholera vaccine among nearly a million people at risk in vulnerable Bangladeshi communities – with a vaccine due to be launched imminently. To promote the rapid diagnosis of cholera and typhoid, she has also developed innovative diagnostic tools and successfully overseen their journey from the laboratory to a practical, commercially viable reality.“The suffering of thousands of diarrhoea patients is due to poor living conditions and highly contagious, contaminated food and water,” she says.

“Staying close to my roots [in Bangladesh] has enabled me to better understand people’s needs and find life-changing solutions.”

As a scientist at the unique International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dr Qadri has used biochemical, immunological and molecular approaches to research the bacteria behind cholera (Vibrio cholerae) and typhoid (Salmonella typhi), as well as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). She explores the capacity of mucous membranes to protect themselves against these pathogens and investigates the respective bacteria at a genetic level to better understand their infectious characteristics. This builds on her longstanding interest in understanding Vibrio cholera as well as ETEC and their potential to cause cholera epidemics in Bangladesh. “I knew I wanted to find a diagnostic method and work towards a prevention mechanism,” she recalls. Dr Qadri’s ground-breaking work on cholera vaccinations has had a positive ripple effect, advancing progress on vaccines against diseases including cholera, typhoid and ETEC diarrhoea. In particular, she is working on a typhoid vaccine in the urban slums of Dhaka, and both this and her cholera vaccine studies are being replicated in Asia, Africa and Haiti. “I would like to see our work scaled up to treat many more people globally, as they struggle with the risk of disease linked to humanitarian crisis and climate change,” she says. In 2014, Dr Qadri founded the Institute for developing Science and Health initiatives (ideSHi) to help develop novel approaches to diagnosing genetic disorders and train biomedical scientists and clinicians in immunology and molecular biology-based research.

Under her leadership, ideSHi also conducts humanitarian and research programmes to identify pragmatic solutions to public health challenges in Bangladesh, and participates in health discussions at a global level. Dr Qadri is active in fostering a supportive national culture for biotechnological innovations, and acts as an expert adviser nationally and internationally, working with the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, for example. Her interest in life sciences began at an early age. “I felt that knowing the biochemical and immunological mechanisms of the living being was extremely important,” she recalls. “I’ve been amazed by the way microorganisms grow and help humans to live on this planet.

But I’m also alarmed by their capacity to endanger peoples’ lives.”

Dr Qadri’s family was a real source of inspiration and support for the early stages of her scientific journey, encouraging her to reach ever higher in her ambitions. Yet life as a scientist in Bangladesh has not always been easy. To overcome the lack of funding, resources and researchers and fight entrenched cultural expectations and gender prejudice, she has leveraged courage and determination, and achieved excellence through rigorous multi-tasking and a superb team of scientists. “I dream that in countries like ours, we will develop state-of-the-art, self-sustaining facilities to support the mentoring and capacity building of young people, especially women, in scientific research.” Importantly, she sees international collaborations as “the building blocks of my achievements.” These have included partnerships with leading researchers in the US, Sweden, France, the UK, Republic of Korea and India. Balancing the demands of scientific research with family life remains the greatest challenge Dr Qadri perceives for women in science today. Ultimately, she believes that women scientists must play a dual role in the quest to further the cause of science –both succeeding in their field and serving as role model for future generations. Beyond this, achieving gender balance in science means instilling the wonder of science in girls and boys, and encouraging them to embrace its potential to change the world.

1 - World Health Organization

https://www.who.int/maternal_child_

adolescent/documents/9789241598415/en

PR EDITH HEARD

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany, 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

“Curiosity in research is fundamental to advancing life and science, and solving some of the great challenges we face as a society,” says Professor Edith Heard. This biologist has made fundamental discoveries surrounding the epigenetic mechanisms governing X-chromosome inactivation (whereby one of the two X chromosomes in females is silenced), a vital process for proper gene expression. In particular, her research could have relevance to diseases such as cancer, where epigenetic processes are disturbed, as well as autoimmune syndromes that are more prevalent among women. She is also profoundly influencing epigenetics as a whole and forging connections throughout the scientific world to uncover new, interrelated areas of research. “Epigenetics seeks to explore how the blueprint of life, the genome, can be used in multiple ways during development, and how this leads to stable, memorable changes in gene expression,” Prof. Heard explains. “I hope that our research on epigenetic regulation of X-chromosomal genes will enable further advances in health, including improved medical treatment for women in the future.” Prof. Heard attributes her most meaningful explorations into the genetic and epigenetic changes that occur in cancer to her 20 years at the Institut Curie in Paris, France, where she nurtured her research in a clinical setting. In particular, she explored the extent to which epigenetic changes – which are present in all cancerous cells – are influential in the development of the disease or can deactivate genes capable of suppressing tumours.

As Director General of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg, Germany, she continues her own research, while working to ensure EMBL utilises its global reach to promote the precious nature of fundamental research and harness technologies to answer major questions, “addressing biology on all scales, from atoms to ecosystems”. This could include exploring how the microbiome reacts to drugs, how an embryo develops from a fertilised egg, or how a viral protein can be targeted by vaccines. And importantly, her ambitions for the EMBL extend beyond humans to planetary health. “In order to protect life, we must first understand it,” she says. “The molecular basis of life on earth is still a great mystery. It’s our duty as scientists to push the frontiers of research to support life in all its forms and help address pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss, catalysing a new era of research.”

Indeed, Prof. Heard is passionate about European research remaining a beacon of scientific excellence and upholding the vital cross-border collaboration that enables major breakthroughs and attracts talented scientists. Researchers should also continue to play an increasingly important role in “bridging the gap between science and society”. She has been heartened by the support from across Europe for her goal to bring scientists across different disciplines together to tackle some of the world’s most important problems. Already an avid scientist as a school pupil, Prof. Heard never imagined any barriers for women, only professional success. Encouraged to pursue her interest in science by both her women teachers and her family, she studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, where she experienced the first of many ‘Eureka’ moments, when she realised that biology was her true calling. “It was the power of genetics, the elegance of development, the beauty of evolution that inspired me,” she recalls. Her quest to answer longstanding questions on X inactivation builds on the pioneering discoveries of the British geneticist Mary Lyon in 1961, and has contributed significantly to illuminating this important topic. For example, she and her team combined imaging techniques such as fluorescence in-situ hybridisation with molecular genetics techniques to follow the expression of the chromosome in individual cells through development. “We went on to uncover the way the X chromosome is folded in 3D space and therefore how structure can influence the way it is expressed,” she explains. She was also the first to show that X inactivation is a highly dynamic process during embryogenesis (the process through which the embryo forms and develops), and involves multiple chromatin changes. Chromatin is a mass of genetic material composed of DNA and proteins within the nucleus of a cell. When cells divide, chromatin condenses to form chromosomes. In 2012, Prof. Heard led the discovery of a new level of chromosome organisation, known as Topologically Associating Domains, which tidy the DNA like woollen threads into many balls of wool, each of which plays a role in the regulation of gene expression and the X inactivation phenomenon. Although Prof. Heard has not personally experienced gender prejudice, she says: “I didn’t realise there was a glass ceiling until I’d slipped through it and noticed I was a rare specimen. I quickly realised that many women do have to try harder, speak louder, stay calmer and identify male allies”. However, she remains confident in the power of novel results and scientific discovery to override gender, and feels humble following in the footsteps of iconic women scientists such as French-Polish physicist and chemist, Marie Curie, and Mary Lyon, whose power of conviction and intel l igence enabled them to succeed against all the odds. “Women and men should be equally represented at every level,” she says. “Once we achieve a critical mass, it will be easier to attract more women and this will create a butterfly effect. Mentorship, support and identifying pathways to create a more balanced work-family life will be critical. More than anything, women should follow their heart and nurture their passion for science.” “I dream of the day when people won’t even notice how many women or men there are in a laboratory or in an institute,” she concludes. “Science will be for any gender, nationality or culture.”

PR ESPERANZA MARTINEZ-ROMERO

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Professor of Environmental Science at the Genomic Science Center,

National University of Mexico, Mexico

Empowering smallholder farmers to raise productivity by adopting sustainable practices sits at the heart of feeding the world’s rapidly growing population. Professor Esperanza Martínez-Romero is addressing this challenge by harnessing the power of beneficial bacteria to promote plant health.

Her significant discoveries in understanding the role of local nitrogen- fixing bacteria in increasing crop yields, particularly in cereal and legume crops, stand to support global food security and improve smallholders’ livelihoods. They could even lead to a reduction in the use of synthetic fertilisers, helping to protect the environment and safeguard biodiversity. “We all live in symbiosis with microbes, but they have typically been neglected in all ecosystems,” explains Prof. Martínez-Romero. “It’s only recently that the impact of microbiome research has changed.”

Nitrogen is essential for healthy plant growth and abundant in the atmosphere, however, in order for plants to ‘digest’ it efficiently, this life-giving element needs to be transformed by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The resulting partnership, or symbiosis, between plants and bacteria enables the plant to maximise the benefits of the nitrogen. With its wealth of plant diversity,

Prof. Martínez-Romero’s home country of Mexico has provided ample material for her studies. She has focused in particular on two of the country’s most important crops: beans and maize, exploring the interaction between plants and bacteria at a molecular level.

For example, she has shone a light on the symbiotic relationship between the bacteria Rhizobia and host legume plants, such as beans, whereby bacteria gain nourishment from the plants’ roots, while delivering nitrogen via the root nodules.

Prof. Martínez-Romero is intrigued by understanding the bacteria’s genome expression, in order to gain a complete view of their genome.

She also researches the evolutionary implications of the process of ‘lateral transfer’, whereby bacteria exchange genes. In 1991, she discovered that the strain Rizobium tropici could deliver high levels of nitrogen to legumes, the most widely consumed plants globally, even under stress due to soil acidity, metal content, or high temperatures. Thanks to her research, Rizobium tropici has become the inoculant of choice among farmers in many countries. Indeed, during her distinguished career, Prof. Martínez-Romero has made significant efforts to help smallholder farmers adopt biofertilisers, including by publishing a practical manual and giving multiple lectures. Prof. Martinez-Romero’s was inspired to become a scientist by her parents. Her mother, a director at an elementary school in Mexico City, propelled her daughter towards her studies, while her father shared his zoology books with her from an early age, instilling in her a love of nature. She determined to dedicate her academic studies to biomedical research and began her current journey at the National University of Mexico’s Nitrogen Fixation Research Institute, becoming fascinated by the beneficial effects of bacteria on plants.

Her ‘Eureka’ moment came when she realised the parallels of human gut microbiota and root microbiota. “I realised that human and plant evolution has been driven by pathogens, that roots are a valuable food source for their associated microbes, and bacterial phenotypes are not good taxonomical markers,” she recalls.

“I was able to look beyond nitrogen fixation as an ecological service and consider how probiotic bacteria could be harnessed to promote plant and insect development.”

Prof. Martínez-Romero describes her scientific dream as “finally obtaining bacteria that are successful in promoting plant growth and controlling insect or fungal pests in agricultural fields”, noting the difficulties in successfully transferring laboratory experiments to the field. She has also extended her research interests to understanding the symbiotic relationships between certain bacteria and native Mexican insects such as the carmine cochineal, whereby the bacteria both fix nitrogen and enable their hosts to produce more vitamins and essential amino acids. Beyond this, “I would love to see animals such as fish, fixing nitrogen,” she says. “This would be a more cost-effective way to produce fish with higher levels of protein, beneficial for human health.” Many collaborations have enriched her work, including her first collaboration with Leuven University in Belgium, which won her substantial funding and sparked a longstanding student exchange programme. She is currently working with researchers at the Universidad Agraria la Molina in Peru to help address rural poverty and raise yields in both countries through a collective journey to advance knowledge on mutually beneficial relationships between bacteria and host plants. While gender prejudice in the workplace has not held Prof. Martínez-Romero back, she recognises the challenge of male-dominated conferences, decision-making groups and awards committees. “Women in science are highly dedicated, intuitive and very bright,” she says. “Whenever I am part of a steering committee for congresses, we always seek to create a gender balance among the speakers.” She is keen to encourage more young women to build a career in science, highlighting that “in the laboratory, there is no difference between women and men scientists whatsoever”. In particular, she coordinated a university’s undergraduate programme in Genomic Sciences for six years, supporting both her female and male students, and is proud of the outstanding successes of her women graduates, both in Mexico and internationally.

“The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards renew my enthusiasm for research and I very much hope it will encourage more girls to enter science,” she concludes. “Gender discrimination should no longer play a part in determining who progresses in scientific research. Science is wonderful and should be open to everyone.”

PR KRISTI ANSETH

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Distinguished Professor, Tisone Professor and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Colorado, Boulder, United States

One of the United States’ most distinguished engineers, Professor Kristi Anseth is leading the way in fusing engineering with biology to develop responsive biomaterials to stimulate tissue regeneration and drug delivery. She and her team are exploring materials and approaches to help regenerate cartilage, encourage bones to heal faster, and deepen understanding of cardiac disease. Beyond the laboratory, Prof. Anseth has also co-founded a business to produce materials that promote wound healing. In the future, she envisions engineering miniature organoids or complex tissues to further illuminate complex diseases and discover new treatment pathways. Her ultimate scientific dream is to alleviate, or even eliminate, the debilitating effects of ageing. «We’re increasingly optimising the design of biomaterials to direct healing, target cells or release drugs on demand,” she explains. “I hope that some of the biomaterials we’re developing will lead to better medical products that not only improve quality of life, but save people’s lives.”

Passionate about leveraging her engineering skills to impact human health, Prof. Anseth has made a profound contribution to advancing biomaterials by operating at the interface of cell biology, chemical engineering and medicine. Her work has reinforced the value of multi-disciplinary research in solving societal challenges, and seen her become one of few engineers to be elected to all three US National Academies of Engineering, Medicine, and Sciences. Through her early research, Prof. Anseth used hydrogels to grow human tissues, cultivating and observing cells in these gels to help engineer biomaterials that can optimise the delivery and efficacy of a medicine within the body. Formed primarily of water, hydrogels are highly compatible with human bodies, non-toxic and offer a similar flexibility to our own natural tissues, enabling the body to better accept medicine ‘hidden’ within the gel. She recalls an early moment of enlightenment when she began using light microscopy to explore cells in 3D biomaterials and track their functions in real time. “I was struck by the unique opportunity to develop chemistries that could be conducted in the presence of living cells,” she says. Today, she and her team harness a wide range of light wavelengths to create and modify their materials in 4D. “It’s amazing and insightful to watch how cells respond to changes in the surrounding biomaterials scaffold [a support made of hydrogel]. This helps us design better biomaterials to interface in the body.” In the context of tissue regeneration, a patient’s cells are fused together with a hydrogel support. As the cells multiply, they can be manipulated to form different types of tissues (from skin to bones to muscle or cartilage), before being placed at a precise point in the body. In 2003, Prof. Anseth and her team were the first to use light-activated chemistry to engineer an injectable, biodegradable material that could regenerate cartilage. Her work in developing photopolymers (hydrogels that are sensitive to light) has been instrumental in creating biomaterials with properties that can be changed on demand (so that they degrade or soften, for example), as tissues begin to regenerate naturally. It is also revealing new ways to help tissues heal more rapidly. Prof. Anseth’s pioneering journey has its roots in the “collaborative spirit” of the western United States, with its rich history of intrepid explorers, prospectors and frontier families in search of a brighter life. Descended from a family of Scandinavian settlers, she learnt the value of “hard work and education” from her grandparents and great grandmother, who homesteaded as a single woman in North Dakota in the early 20th century. It was here that Prof. Anseth witnessed the solar eclipse that first made her wonder at the universe. “I have vivid memories of that moment”, she recalls. “It was amazing to have a front rowseat… I was fascinated by the universe around me.” Inspired by a school chemistry teacher to pursue science, and mentored by a university professor whose faith in her abilities strengthened her resolve to specialise in bioengineering,

Prof. Anseth is convinced of the power of mentorship. She has a deep commitment to supporting the more than 300 students in her laboratory, more than half of whom are women, well above the 20% national average for engineering students. And she sees a key role for scientists in encouraging more girls to study science in the United States, particularly by highlighting its positive impacts in society.

Popular culture, too, should raise awareness of leading women scientists, she believes, celebrating women such as her colleague Frances Arnold, the first US woman to win a Nobel Prize for Chemistry, and Margaret Hutchison Rousseau, the first woman to receive a PhD in chemical engineering. “When asked to name a scientist or engineer, my goal is that any child or adult would first name and visualize a successful young woman,” she says. As a woman in science, Prof. Anseth was initially hesitant to pursue leadership positions, conscious of the perceived need to prove herself, regardless of her many awards and accolades. Despite this, she encountered relatively few obstacles as she rose through the ranks, and felt supported along the way by a “great network of friends and advocates”. With multiple studies confirming that diversity catalyses major discoveries, new ideas and superior solutions, Prof. Anseth is determined that there should be “a concerted effort to recruit, encourage, and assist women and underrepresented individuals to pursue careers in science and engineering.” Importantly, empowering more women scientists to become leaders will help to ensure a more balanced approach to defining the value of research and advancing science that benefits men and women. «Women are talented, brilliant, and exceptional community builders,” she says. “They’re open to creative ideas, respectful, bold and decisive, quick to ensure that the right people receive recognition, and committed to purpose-led research. I look forward to playing a more visible role in advocating for the next generation of women scientists, and helping to ensure that girls see no limits to their future in science.”

Pr Serge Abiteboul

Senior Researcher Inria, ENS

"The cause of Women in Science is essential because we can not do without their talents, and it concerns us all, men and women, of course."

Serge Abiteboul obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, and a State Doctoral Thesis from the University of Paris-Sud. He has been a researcher at the Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et Automatique since 1982, Directeur de Recherche CE since 01/01/2004, in a research team located at Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris, since 2016. He is Distinguished Affiliated Professor at Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan . He was a Lecturer at the École Polytechnique and Visiting Professor at Stanford and Oxford University. He has been Chair Professor at Collège de France in 2011-12 and Francqui Chair Professor at Namur University in 2012-2013. He co-founded the company Xyleme in 2000. Serge Abiteboul has received the ACM SIGMOD Innovation Award in 1998, the EADS Award from the French Academy of sciences in 2007; the Milner Award from the Royal Society in 2013; and a European Research Council Fellowship (2008-2013). He became a member of the French Academy of Sciences in 2008, and a member the Academy of Europe in 2011. He has been a member of the Conseil national du numérique (2013-2016) and Chairman of the Scientific board of the Société d'Informatique de France (2013-2015). He is, since 1917, Chair of the Stretegic Council of the Blaise Pascal Foundation. His research work focuses mainly on data, information and knowledge management, particularly on the Web. He founded and is an editor of the blog binaire.blogs.lemonde.fr.

Serge Abiteboul also writes novels, essays, and is editor and founder of the Blog Binaire. He was scientific curator of the exhibiti "Terra Data" at the Cité des Sciences in 2017-2018.

Pr Paul Anastas

Founding Director of the Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering at Yale

Scientific advances will never reach their full potential to do good for humanity if half of the population’s insights and wisdom continues to be ignored and under-valued by the scientific enterprise. The “Male Champions for Women in Science” initiative is the simple recognition that any man truly interested in advancing science needs to be truly dedicated to women in science.

Paul T. Anastas is a scientist, inventor, author, entrepreneur, and public servant from the United States.

Dr. Anastas has served in three U.S. Presidential Administrations including the appointment by President Barack Obama as the Assistant Administrator for Research and Development at the US Environmental Protection Agency and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy under Presidents Clinton and Bush. Known as the ‘Father of Green Chemistry’ he is credited with establishing the field of green chemistry in 1991 and is has been internationally recognized for his advancement of the field.

Professor Paul T. Anastas currently holds the Teresa and H. John Heinz III Chair in Chemistry for the Environment at Yale University and is the founding Director of the Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering at Yale. Dr. Anastas has appointments at Yale’s School of Medicine/School of Public Health, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Department of Chemistry, School of Management, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Trained as a synthetic organic chemist, Dr. Anastas received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University, co-founded the not-for-profit Green Chemistry Institute and 4 companies based on sustainable technologies.

Dr. Anastas has published widely on topics of science through sustainability including over 150 research papers and 14 books, such as Benign by Design, Designing Safer Polymers, Green Engineering, and his seminal work with co-author John Warner, Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice.

Yvon Berland

President of Aix-Marseille University

Yvon Berland was re-elected President of Aix-Marseille University on 5th January 2016. A university professor and hospital practitioner, he has been at the head of the university since its creation in January 2012. He was previously President of the University of the Mediterranean (Aix-Marseille 2) since 2004.

Re-elected Chairman of the CPU Health Commission (Conference of University Presidents) on 15th December 2016 (elected in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014), Yvon Berland was Vice Chairman of the CPU from December 2010 to December 2012. He also chaired the PRES Aix-Marseille University for one year (September 2008-September 2009).

An intern in Marseille’s hospitals, he obtained his doctorate in medicine in 1979. He was appointed university professor and hospital practitioner in 1988 and took over as head of the hemodialysis nephrology department at the Sainte-Marguerite Hospital. Then, in 2000, he becomes the head of the renal nephrology, dialysis and transplantation department at the Conception Hospital. He has also been the coordinating doctor of the Marseille clinical investigation centre since 1995.

Dean of the Marseille Faculty of Medicine in 1998, he was vice-president of the conference of medical deans in 2002. He is also Chairman of the Biomedical and Health Research Committee of the Marseille Public Hospitals (AP-HM). Since 2002, he has been producing regular reports on the demographics of the health professions for the Ministry of Health. He has chaired the ONDPS (national observatory for health professions) since 2003.

Yvon Berland is a knight in the Order of the Legion of Honour, a knight in the National Order of Merit, an officer in the Order of Academic Palms, a gold medal for Youth and Sports and a gold medal for the Hôpitaux de Marseille.

Pr Gilles Boeuf

Professor, Pierre et Marie Curie University, Sorbonne

"A commitment for women: they are more than half of humanity and not respected as they should! And even often, little girls do not go to school! Women have a perception and sensitivity that are often more relevant than men. They also have solutions we do not have. So let's restore the original justice and help them fully express their qualities!"

Gilles Boeuf is professor at the University Pierre et Marie Curie/Sorbonne Université (UPMC) where he carries out his research within the research team « Integrative biology of marine organisms » at the Oceanological Observatory of Banyuls (OOB), in the Pyreneans, on the Mediterranean Sea. He spent 20 years at the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER) in Brest, then he was director of OOB, the Arago Laboratory (Pierre & Marie Curie University and French National Center for Scientific Research “CNRS”, OOB), then director of the research team «Models in cell and evolutionary biology» for 4 years. From 2009 to 2015 he was chairman of the National Museum of Natural History (MNHN) in Paris. He was also invited to teach «Sustainable Development, energies, environment and societies» at the Collège de France for the academic year 2013-2014, devoting his lessons to the subject of « Biodiversity and its interrelationship with humankind ». In 2015-2017, he was scientific advisor for life and wildlife sciences, climate and ocean for Ségolène Royal, minister of environment, energy and sea (MEEM). Presently, he is the chairman of the Scientific Board of the French Agency for Biodiversity.

Pr Khaled Bouabdallah

Since July 2015, Khaled Bouabdallah has been President of the Université de Lyon, the second most important scientific hub in France, that encompasses universities, prestigious higher education institutions and research bodies in Lyon and Saint-Étienne site and is composed of 12 member institutions and several associated institutions.

University professor, economist, Khaled Bouabdallah is a specialist in labor market micro-economics and territorial economic development. He was head of the Higher Institute for Economy, Administration and Management (IAE Saint-Étienne) from 2003 to 2006, as well as the technological research team on "territorial engineering", from 2001 to 2010.

President of the Université Jean-Monnet from 2007 to 2015, he was at the same time re-elected Vice-President of the CPU (Conference of university presidents) in 2014.

Representative of the CPU on the board of directors for Campus France, he is also a member of the AUF (Francophone University Association) board of directors, and of the supervisory committee for the law on the reform of the French public school system.

Honors: Knight of the French National Order of Merit, Knight of the French Legion of Honor.

Pr Jean Chambaz

President, Sorbonne Université

"To advance science and advance society, we need more women to get involved and promoted in science. In higher education, as everywhere else, we need to take action to value their potential and promote their achievements. "

Jean Chambaz is President at Sorbonne Université. He became President of Pierre and Marie Curie University (UPMC) in March 2012. In March 2016, he was reelected for a second term that concluded on December 31, 2017.

A Professor of Cellular Biology at Pierre and Marie Curie Faculty of Medicine, Jean Chambaz was head of Endocrine Biochemistry at La Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital. In 1999, he created a joint INSERM-UPMC research unit in the field of Metabolism and Intestinal Differentiation, which in 2007 merged with the Cordeliers Research Center, of which he became deputy director.

In 2005, he created the Institute of Doctoral Education at UPMC. From 2008 to 2011, he presided over the Council for Doctoral Education of the European University Association (EUA). He was elected to the EUA board in 2015. Since November 2014, he has been President of the Coordination of French Research-Intensive Universities (CURIF).

Pr Mark Ferguson

Director General, Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland

"Diverse workforces enhance productivity , creativity and profitability. To that end creating the conditions for many more talented women to join and remain in scientific research is a priority."

Professor Mark W.J. Ferguson commenced as Director General of Science Foundation Ireland in January 2012 and as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland in October 2012. Professor Ferguson is a founding member of the Small Advanced Economies Initiative, was Chair of the eHealth Ireland Committee, (2015 – 2017) and a member of the EU High Level Expert Group on Horizon 2020 Impact (2017) and has been involved in a number of international reviews of R&D systems, including Hungary and Canada. Previously he was Professor in Life Sciences at the University of Manchester (since 1984) and co-founder, CEO and Chairman of Renovo Group plc (1998-2011).

He is the recipient of numerous international research awards including the 2002 European Science Prize (jointly), and is the author of 327 research papers and book chapters, 60 patent families and author / editor of 8 books.

Mark graduated from the Queens University of Belfast with degrees in Dentistry (BDS 1st class honours), Anatomy and Embryology (BSc 1st class honours, PhD) and Medical Sciences (DMedSc), holds Fellowships from the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in Ireland (FFD), and Edinburgh (FDS) and is a Founding Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci). He is a member or Fellow of a number of learned Societies, and was made a “Commander of the British Empire” (CBE) by the Queen in 1999 for services to Health and Life Sciences.

Pr Alain Fuchs

President, Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL) University

"Gender equality is not a women’s issue, it is a human issue and a civilization issue."

Professor Alain Fuchs is the president of Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL) University in Paris, France. He studied chemistry at EPFL, Lausanne and received his PhD in physical chemistry at the University Paris-Sud, Orsay France in 1983. After a postdoctoral stay at the University of Edinburgh, he was appointed as a research fellow at the french Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). He became Professor of chemistry at Université Paris-Sud in 1996 and director of the École de Chimie-Paris, a graduate school of chemistry and chemical engineer, in 2006. He was appointed in 2010 as the President and CEO of CNRS. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a member of the Academia Europea. His research activity is devoted to the modelling and theory of fluids confined in nanoporous materials.

Pr Jean-Marc Gambaudo

President of the University of Côte d'Azur

Jean-Marc Gambaudo was elected President of the Université Côte d'Azur on 25th September 2015 by the unanimous vote of the members of the Board of Directors.

Jean-Marc Gambaudo, CNRS Research Director, had been commissioned by the UNS, the CNRS and the PERSAN association to coordinate the establishment of the COMUE (Community of Universities and Establishments) Côte d'Azur University and the launch of the IDEX (Initiatives of Excellence) application project, of which UCA was to be the project leader. He was the provisional administrator of COMUE "UCA" since last March 6.

"My immediate objectives are clear and are a direct extension of the mission I have been entrusted with until now," says the President. First, he wishes to confirm the selection of the IDEX UCA Jedi project by continuing the collaborative work of building a solid file; and also to set up the UCA structures described in the project and which should allow both the realization of UCAjedi if it were definitively labelled and also build this new form of university, which is the only one to apply for major national and European funding.

"In this process of creating an increased research university, with strong international visibility and strong roots in its territory, I intend to contribute as much as possible to the development of each of its members. The structuring of this diversity is our major asset. I am therefore convinced that the best way to work on this common dynamic is to respect the specificities and interests of each of its components."

To know more about Jean-Marc Gambaudo:

He joined the CNRS in 1984 and his research focuses on the theory of dynamic systems. He created and then directed the Institut de Mathématique de Bourgogne in Dijon for 4 years. During this same period, he developed an interaction with industry by becoming a co-author of an IBM patent and by creating the "Interface des Mathématiques" team within the Dijon Institute. In 2006, the Scientific Direction of the CNRS has called him he then held the following positions:

2006-2007: Project manager in the MPPU Department (Mathematics, Physics, Planet and Universe) for Mathematics

2007-2009: Deputy Scientific Director in the MPPU Department for Mathematics;

2008-2009: Project Manager to the Director General of the CNRS, he created and set up the Institute of Mathematical Sciences and their Interactions

From 2009 to 2011, he resumed his full-time research activity at the J. A. Dieudonné Laboratory in Nice. In 2012, he took over the management of the Institut Non Linéaire de Nice, a laboratory that he had helped create in the 1990s.

He is the author of about sixty articles in international peer-reviewed journals and obtained the PES (Scientific Excellence Award) in mathematics in 2010 and physics in 2014.

Pr Mouin Hamze

Secretary General, National Council for Scientific Research – Lebanon (CNRS-L)

“Sustainable development is only possible if we rely on all contributing members of our community; making it our moral and ethical responsibility to provide equal opportunities for both men and women. Believing also that scientific research is the main engine for building a knowledge economy and a community free of violence, extremism, and discrimination.”

M. Hamzé obtained his “Doctorat d’Etat - Es Sciences” from the University of Montpellier, France. He started his academic career at the Lebanese University where he established the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and acted as Dean of the faculty from 1985 to1997. He was acting concurrently as Chairman of the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute.

In 1998, M. Hamzé was appointed Secretary General of the National Council for Scientific Research – Lebanon (CNRS-L). He has since given special attention to launching and enhancing new programs including: the Ph.D. Scholarship Program, the Grant Research Program, and the Associated Research Units Program; as well as established the CNRS-L Lebanese Science Journal and acts as its editor-in-chief. In 2011, he established the CNRS-L Annual Research Excellence Award, which recognizes scientists who excel in conducting research in different scientific disciplines in Lebanon. M. Hamzé has also developed and implemented a fundamental science policy programme (Science Technology & Innovation Policy –STIP). While in 2016 he has lead an initiative to develop the Charter of Ethics and Guiding Principles of Scientific Research in Lebanon (signed by 19 universities and adopted as an integral part of all CNRS-L Programmes) for defining basic principles of ethics and regulations for a responsible conduct of research in the different disciplines of science. The charter was also recently confirmed as a basis for a regional Arab charter.

In recognition of his work, M. Hamzé received two Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Haute Alsace and from the University of Montpellier and was distinguishly awarded from France and Italy.

François Houllier

CEO of IFREMER

François Houllier has been CEO of the IFREMER (The French Institute for Sea Research and Exploitation) since September 2018. After graduating from the Ecole Polytechnique and getting a PhD in forest biometrics, François Houllier began his career as project manager in forest resources assessment at the IFN (National Forest Inventory). He then became professor at the ENGREF (The National School of Rural Engineering of Waters and Forests) and later became director of the French Institute of Pondichery, India, from 1994 to 1997. He then took the head of the joint research center “Botany and bioinformatics of the plants architecture” (Cirad, CNRS, INRA, IRD and University Montpellier II) until 2002. He also held different leadership positions at the INRA (The National Institute for Agronomic Research) and then became CEO of the INRA from July 2012 to July 2016. François Houllier chaired the community of universities and institutions University Sorbonne Paris Cité and he held the “Université de Paris” excellence initiative, selected in March 2018.

Pr Etienne Klein

Director of the Research Laboratory on Matter Sciences at CEA (LARSIM)

Born in 1958, Etienne Klein is physicist at CEA, the French Atomic Energy Commission, at Saclay near Paris.

Since 2007, he is the Director of the Research Laboratory on Matter Sciences at CEA (LARSIM). His research interests include the foundations of physics, the interpretation of quantum mechanics, the question of time in physics and the relationship between science and society.

He is professor at Ecole Centrale de Paris, both in physics and philosophy of science. He is member of the French Academy of Technologies.

Pr Philippe Kourilsky

Professor Emeritus, Collège de France

Honorary Director General, Pasteur Institute

Philippe Kourilsky (born in 1942) graduated from the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris in 1964. He started research in biology in 1965. A member of CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), he joined the Pasteur Institute in 1972. His major scientific achievements are in the fields of molecular genetics and immunology. From 1998 to 2012, he held the chair of Molecular Immunology at the College de France. He has also been involved in biotechnologies and in the administration of research. In1981, he was the co-founder of Transgène, the first large french biotech company. From 1993 to 1996, he was the Director of Research of the Pasteur Mérieux Connaught vaccine company (now Sanofi-Pasteur). From 2000-2005, he was appointed Director General of the Pasteur Institute and chaired the International network of Pasteur Institutes. He has been sitting on several Boards of Directors (including those of Ecole Polytechnique and Veolia Environment). From 2006 to 2013, he has created and chaired the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN). In 2012, he created and currently chairs the NGO ‘RESOLIS’.

He is the author of close to 400 publications in international scientific journals and has written several books dealing with science and the public, (for example on the precautionary principle). He is a member of the French Academy of Sciences, and a Professor Honoris causa of several universities, and a ‘Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur’ and ‘Grand officier dans l’ordre national du mérite’.

Patrick Lévy

Rector of Grenoble Alpes University

« Science should be inspired and done by women in any country in the world. This is needed for science quality. It is critical for social and cultural development.”

Patrick Lévy, 64 year-old, is currently Rector of Grenoble Alpes University (2018-2019). He has been Rector of Joseph Fourier University (2012-2015) and of Grenoble University Community (2016-17). He is professor of Physiology, MD, respiratory physician, graduated with a Master degree in Animal Physiology (1986) and a PhD in Physiology (1989). He led the Pulmonary Function Test Unit, Sleep Lab (1988-2012) and Clinical Research Department (2000-2012) at Grenoble University Hospital. He has been the head of the Hypoxia Pathophysiology Laboratory (HP2) Grenoble Alpes Univ. and Inserm (2003-2015) and set one of the most active Research Laboratory on Obstructive Sleep Apnea worldwide. He is leading the project named Grenoble Alpes University – Initiative of Excellence, an ambitious vision for establishing a large research and multidisciplinary University in Grenoble and the Alps, reaching a critical mass and improving its international visibility. The project has been labelled in 2016. The new institution will be created on 2020 January 1st.

Pr Daniel Louvard

Honorary Director, Institut Curie

« Science is an international adventure without any borders, the same passion for research animates women and men which make ignorance step back”

Professor Daniel Louvard (born February 20 1948) was awarded his PhD in Biochemistry in 1973 and Physical Sciences in 1976 from the University of Marseille. From 1978 to 1982 he was head of a team at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany), after which he joined the Institut Pasteur, where from 1988 to 1990 he was the Director of the Molecular Biology Department, and since 1987 has been Professor. He was Director of Research CNRS (1986-2013) and Director of the Research Center of the Institut Curie (1993-2013). He is now Emeritus Director of Research CNRS, Honorary Professor Institut Pasteur , Honorary Director Institut Curie ,Advisor of the President of the Board of Directors of Institut Curie for International affairs. In 2014 and 2015 he was on sabbatical leave as a visiting scientist at Biogen (Cambridge,USA)

Prof. Louvard was also head of the Morphogenesis and Cell Signaling Laboratory Institut Curie / CNRS UMR 144(1995-2013). He served as member of numerous scientific committees of the CNRS and the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), ad hoc committees and scientific organizations such as EMBO and the Scientific Committee of the Human Frontier Science Program, ERC panel member for advanced grants.

Member of the French Academy of Sciences (2003), European Academy of Sciences (1995) ,Academia Europa (1997), the European Academy of Cancer Sciences(2013), Foreign member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences(2014).

Pr Khaled Machaca

Associate Dean, Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar

"It is unfathomable for us as scientists driven by rational reasoning not to fully support the advancement of women is science, as we would be giving away half of our collective brain power."

Khaled Machaca is Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine and serves as Associate Dean for Research for the Qatar campus since 2008. In that capacity he oversees the academic, financial, operational and compliance aspects of the research department, which currently encompasses 25 active Labs and a staff of over 200 people. Khaled oversaw the establishment of the administrative and regulatory infrastructure; centralized core laboratories; and faculty recruitment. He also serves as the designated institutional official overseeing the animal research program and as the director of the imaging core. He leads and serves on multiple institutional, national and international committees.

The Machaca Lab is interested in intracellular signaling processes under physiological and pathological conditions with a focus on calcium signaling. Our goal is to better define these signaling pathway at the cellular and molecular levels to better define the underlying biology and identify potential therapeutic targets in various disease states. Our interest is focused on cell cycle regulation in the context of cancer, hypertension, and immune cell activation. Work from the Machaca Lab has been published in leading biomedical journals and garnered continuous extramural funding from NIH and the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF).

Khaled serves of several editorial boards, reviews widely for scientific journals and has an extensive track record of training students and postdoctoral fellows.

PR. PIERRE MONSAN

Professor Emeritus

Professor Emeritus, INSA Toulouse

"I am particularly pleased to contribute to l'Oréal's initiative as my closest associate for many years, with whom I shared the leadership of the enzymatic catalysis and molecular engineering team and who succeeded me , was a woman: Professor Magali Remaud-Simeon. I want to pay tribute, through her, to the importance and impressive efficiency and creativity of women in the field of scientific research."

Pierre Monsan (69) is Professor Emeritus at the National Institute for Applied Sciences (INSA) of the University of Toulouse. He was elected member of the French University Institute (IUF) in 2003 and re-elected in 2008.

He is Founding Director of the pre-industrial demonstrator “Toulouse White Biotechnology (TWB)”, which was granted M€ 20 within the frame of the French National Program “Investissement d’avenir” in March 2011 (www.toulouse-white-biotechnology.com).

He has been active for 44 years in the field of enzyme catalysis (enzyme production, purification, immobilization and application, screening, structural characterization and molecular design). He authored more than 240 scientific publications, 3 books and 65 patents. His H-factor is 44.

He was involved in the founding of several start-up companies: BioEurope (1984), BioTrade (1996), Genibio (1998) and in the move of LibraGen from Lyon to Toulouse (2004).

He is member of the Scientific Advisory Board of several companies, founding member of the French Academy of Technology, member of the French National Academy of Agriculture, member of several Scientific Societies and member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). He is Chairman of the French Federation of Biotechnology (FFBiotech), member of the Executive Board of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB).

Pr Gilles Pécout

Rector of the Académie de Paris and of the Région Académique d’Ile de France, Chancellor of the Parisian Universities, University Professor.

Gilles Pécout is the Rector of Paris and the Academic Region of Ile de France as well as the Chancellor of Parisian Universities since September 2016. Historian, with a special focus on Italy and the Europe-Mediterranean region, Gilles Pécout is a university professor at the Ecole normale superieure of Paris where he used to be at the head of the Department of History. Furthermore, he is also director of studies at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes-PSL.

He was for several years guest professor and researcher at the University of Geneva and at the New York University (Institut Remarque) but also at the Istituto per gli studi filosofici of Naples. He also coordinated the European PhD (Marie Curie European doctorate “Building on the past”) with nine other European Universities.

Gilles Pécout hold seats at the Boards of Directors of the Musée de l’Armée (Invalides) and of the Souvenir français. He also hold seats at the Scientific Board of the Italian Encyclopedia and at the Toscane Academy, Società di storia patria of Florence (foreigners section). He was a jury member of the international award Dan David Prize (Israël / Etats-Unis) and was or is still member of the Scientific or Editorial committee of the reviews Le mouvement social, Histoire et sociétés rurales, European History Quarterly, Journal of Modern Italian Studies, Bollettino di Italiamistica, Società e storia, Memoria e ricerca.

Scientific advisor for the Italian television ((RAI 3 – RAI Storia) and author for the TV show II Tempo e la Storia et Passato Presente for around forty shows, Gilles Pécout is also the award winner of the World Price “Erasme” – Fondation Anassilao et of the Cavallini Price.

Gilles Pécout is one of the three French redactor appointed by the president of the French Republic in January 2018 to produce the cooperation treaty between France and Italy called “Traité du Quirinal” and have just been appointed in 2019 as the president of the French mission for prefiguration of the future Franco-tunisian University for Africa and the Mediterranean area.

As the Rector and Chancellor of Parisian University, he advocates the creation of a House of Science for professors, which will have a displayed priority “Girls and Science”.

Gilles Pécout is a Knight of the Legion of Honour, the French National Order of Merit, Officer of the Academic Palm and Officer of the National Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

Pr Antoine Petit

President and CEO of C.N.R.S

Antoine Petit obtained a Master Degree in Mathematics from University Paris Sud (1981) and then Agrégation de Mathématiques (1982). He received his PhD in Computer Science from Paris Diderot University (1985).

He joined University d’Orléans as « Assistant » in 1984, then University Paris Sud as « Maître de Conférences » in 1989. He became full Professor at ENS Paris - Saclay (formerly ENS de Cachan) in 1994 where he bas been head of the Computer science department from 1995 to 2001.

In 2002, he was appointed as Deputy director of the directorate of research of French ministry of research, in charge of mathematics and information and communication sciences. In 2004, he joined CNRS as Director of the Information and Communication Sciences and Technologies department and then as Regional Director for South West of France.

In 2006, he was recruited by Inria where he has been successively Director of the research center of Paris - Rocquencourt, deputy CEO in 2010 and then President and CEO in 2014.

Since January 2018, he is President and CEO of CNRS.

Antoine Petit is Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur and Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite.

Pr Pascal Picq

Paleoanthropologist, Collège de France

"Evolution is change in the feminine."

Pascal Picq is a paleoanthropologist at the Collège de France. His research focuses on the biological, social and technical evolution of the human lineage. After having introduced ethology in anthropology, he became involved in questions of society and ethics, for the defense of secularism, on politics and politics and innovation in relation to the entrepreneurial culture. His last essays are interested in the future of humanity between the collapse of diversities and the arrival of intelligent machines by analyzing the emergence of a new Anthropology in the Digital Age.

Pr Johan Rockström

Johan Rockström is an internationally recognized scientist for his work on global sustainability issues. He helped lead the internationally renowned team of scientists that presented the planetary boundaries framework, first published in 2009, with an update in 2015. The nine planetary boundaries presented in the framework are argued to be fundamental in maintaining a “safe operating space for humanity.” This framework has been embraced as an approach to sustainable development, and has been used to help guide governments, international organizations, NGOs, and companies considering sustainable development.

Before focusing on the planetary scale, Rockström’s research aimed to address building resilience in water scarce regions, and is an expert on water resources. After completing a PhD at Stockholm University’s Systems Ecology Department in 1997, he spent nearly two decades working on applied water research in tropical regions. He has also published research on with agriculture systems, land use, and ecosystem services.

Aside from his research helping to guide policy, Rockström acts as an advisor to several governments and business networks. He also acts as an advisor for sustainable development issues at noteworthy international meetings, such as the United Nations General Assemblies, World Economic Forums, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC, also known as COP).

Pr Augusto Rojas-Martinez

Professor, School of Medicine, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico

Science and scientific achievements are built from the discussion and confrontation of different ideas, sometimes opposed. There are no other human attributes, out of the diversity of opinion, the freedom of thought and the experimental demonstration, that are essential for the scientific development in any part of the world. As in any other human activities, scientific thinking should be cultivated from the early ages in schools and laboratories that should ensure the free access of women and men. Additionally, our society, universities and research centers should warrant equal development opportunities and leadership positions without any other condition than demonstration of excellence in a personal scientific career. Unfortunately, we still cannot overcome gender inequities that have limited the access of excellent girls and women to the academy and scientific activities in all parts of the world, as well as the objective evaluation of their scientific production. As a citizen and scientist of the 21st century and member of the scientific academy of a developing country, I pledge to to strongly promote and maintain the participation of women in science in Mexico and Latin America.

Full-time Professor and Leader of the Research Group in Human Genetics in School of Medicine and Health Science, Tecnológico of Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Rojas-Martínez pioneered the implementation of clinical trials of gene and cell therapy in Mexico and Latin America. In addition, he has contributed to the delineation of some genetic diseases and the implementation of GWAS for cleft lip and palate and colorectal cancer in the Mexican population, as well as pharmacogenomics projects in the same population. He belongs to the Mexican System of Researchers, the Mexican Academy of Sciences, the Mexican Board of Genetics, and the Mexican Association of Human Genetics, in which he served as President. Dr. Rojas-Martínez was also the Coordinator of the Mexican Node of the Human Variome Project (2012 – 2017). He is Past-President of the Latin American Network of Human Genetics (RELAGH). He currently serves as member of the Scientific Committee of the Latin American School of Human Genetics (ELAG, Brazil, since 2008), the External Scientific Advisory Committee of CIBER-ER (Spain, since 2016) and as jury member of the “For Women in Science” Award (L' Oréal -UNESCO, since 2015). Dr. Rojas-Martínez has published 92 scientific articles and has a granted patent.

Pr François Taddei

Director, Center for Research and Interdisciplinary

"Because science and society need to mobilize all intelligences and all eyes."

François Taddei is a researcher in evolutionary systems biology and an expert on the future of research and education. He has created bachelor, master & PhD programs in the Center for Research and Interdisciplinary in Paris in order to empower the new generations of change makers by training them through research at the frontiers of disciplines. He has taken the lead of the Institute for Learning Through Research that has been selected in March 2012 by the International Scientific Committee of the National Innovative Training Program (IDEFI) of the French ministry of research. He participates in various working groups on the future of research and education (« France 2025 », OECD report…). He holds the UNESCO Chair “Learning sciences”. In September 2016 the mission to organise and think the future of R&D for Lifelong learning was entrusted to François Taddei by French Minister of Education, Higher Education & Research.

Manuel Tunon de Lara

President of the University of Bordeaux

“An inclusive, responsible university, open to society, welcoming and committed to its home region…

thereby obliging us to set even higher standards in carrying out our missions.”

Manuel Tunon de Lara studied medicine, immunology, physiology and life sciences. He then carried out research into the cellular mechanisms of asthma. He was a clinician in the respiratory diseases department of Bordeaux University Hospital, of which he then became director. Manuel Tunon de Lara became involved in the institutional aspects of Bordeaux Segalen University and from 1998 he ran the “Aquitaine Euskadi Navarre” cross-border network. In 2001 he set up the Department of European Affairs and International Relations before becoming Vice-President of the university responsible for international relations in 2003. He was elected president of Bordeaux Segalen University in 2008, then reelected in 2012. During his terms of office, he contributed actively to the Campus Operation project, led the project to set up the Bordeaux University Foundation and coordinated “Investment for the Future” projects, including the excellence initiative (IdEx) that was among the first three such projects to be accredited in France. Championing the values of a large, multidisciplinary, internationally-recognized university, Manuel Tunon de Lara led his establishment towards a merger with two other universities in the city thus creating the University of Bordeaux with his counterparts. In January 2014, he was elected the first president of the new establishment and, together with his team, set up what has become one of France’s top universities. Under his leadership, the University of Bordeaux was definitively “excellence initiative” accredited by an international jury in June 2016, and continues to energetically pursue the objective of becoming a great European university, while remaining anchored in the Aquitaine region. Manuel Tunon de Lara was reelected president of the University of Bordeaux on 18 January 2018.

A man of commitment and conviction, he is an Officer of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques, Chevalier of the National Order of Merit and Chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

Cédric Villani

Mathematician - Lyon 1 University, 2010 Fields Medal, Member of French Parliament

"It is not acceptable that only men are in charge of giving birth to the world of tomorrow."

Cédric Villani is a french mathematician and a former student of the Ecole normale supérieure. He received a doctorate in mathematics and he is the winner of the Fields Medal in 2010 and of the Doob price in 2014. He is now professor at the University of Lyon. He has been the director of Institut Henri Poincaré in Paris from 2009 to 2017. He has held various visiting positions at several foreign universities. He is Member of the National Assembly for the Fifth Constituency of the Essonne and he is vice-president of the OPECST (parliamentary office for scientific and technological options assessment ). He is member of the Academy of Sciences and has published several books, including Alive Theorem, which has been translated in 12 languages.

Pr Tom Welton

Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College London

"The time for men to realise that gender parity benefits everyone is long overdue. L’Oréal Foundation’s campaign will help to bring this about."

Professor Tom Welton, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Imperial College London and the world’s first Professor of Sustainable Chemistry, began his academic career with a B.Sc. at the University of Sussex followed by a D.Phil., in the Chemistry and Spectroscopy of Ionic Liquids.

After research positions at the University of Sussex and the University of Exeter he joined the Chemistry Department at Imperial College London in 1993 as a Lloyd’s of London Tercentenary Fellow. In 2002 he was awarded a Readership in Catalysis and undertook the role of Director of Undergraduate Studies in Chemistry. In 2004 he was promoted to Professor in Sustainable Chemistry. He was Head of the Chemistry Department from August 2007 to December 2014, during which time the Department achieved an Athena Swan Gold Award. He became Dean of the Faculty in January 2015.

Tom uses solvents to improve chemical processes. He has worked with ionic liquids throughout his career, in order to develop sustainable solvent technologies. The central academic aim of his research is to understand the role that the immediate chemical environments in which reacting species find themselves influence the reaction process. He also aims to use this understanding to provide more effective chemical processes by the matching of the reaction with its optimum solvent environment.

Tom is the author of over 100 papers, primarily on the structures and chemistry of ionic liquids and their solutes. He was the 2007 RSC Christopher Ingold Lecturer, the 2012 RSC Thomas Graham Lecturer, and the 2011 DFG Paul Walden Lecturer. He is an Honorary Member of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia. In June 2017 Tom was awarded an OBE for his services to diversity in education.

DR LAURA-JOY BOULOS

NEUROSCIENCE

Institut des NeuroSciences Appliquées et humaines (INSAN), Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon

Neuroscientist Dr Laura-Joy Boulos is shining a light on the effect of prolonged post-war situations in Lebanon and across the Middle East on mental health and decision-making. By monitoring hundreds of people’s decisions through a novel mobile application and combining the findings with further tests and investigations, she aims to co-create artificial intelligence (AI)-led solutions to help people navigate the perpetual uncertainty of modern times. In an increasingly uncertain and fast-paced world, her work could help to promote more effective decision-making in multiple life and business contexts. “When I was seven, I remember visiting the desert in Jordan with my parents, and feeling so fi lled with the pure wonder of existence that I shouted ‘J’existe!’ [‘I am alive’] in French,” she says. “So my big dream is to understand life. It’s this fundamental curiosity that drove me towards science – and it’s that same need to keep exploring and digging deeper that propels me on to pursue my research today, even if it means uncovering a seemingly infi nite scope of possibilities.”Beyond the challenge of proving the value of research in Lebanon, Dr Boulos is also aware that as a woman leading a research project in a patriarchal society, she will have to “fi ght every step of the way”. But she also feels a strong responsibility to engage in the broader fi ght to empower women in science and beyond. “We owe it to the next generations,” she says. This will involve encouraging girls at school to pursue their dreams and creating compelling role models to help girls “internalize the image of successful women and make their goals seem more tangible.” With the increased visibility brought by the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Rising Talents programme, Dr Boulos aims to help establish neuroscience as a topic of interest for more people in Lebanon and the Middle East, while sparking new interdisciplinary partnerships to explore the mysteries of the brain.

DR NOWSHEEN GOONOO

BIOMEDICINE

Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Nanotechnology Unit, Centre for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius

In Mauritius, some 20.5% of adults suffer from type 2 diabetes. In particular, diabetic foot represents a major public health challenge, resulting in conditions such as foot ulcers and amputations. Dr Nowsheen Goonoo is seeking to reduce the healing time of diabetic foot ulcers using nanofibres partially composed of polysaccharides (a type of carbohydrate consisting of interlinked sugar molecules) derived from plants including seaweeds and aloe vera derived from the rich, diverse Mauritian waters and landscape. “My dream is to launch the first nanotech-based wound care product for diabetic patients in Mauritius using affordable, local and renewable resources,” she says. “Accelerating the healing process will enable diabetic patients to recover more quickly, avoiding amputation and reducing the economic burden associated with hospital treatment.” As a child, Dr Goonoo explored the abundant flora and fauna of her native country, Mauritius with her family, wondering at the effervescence and vitality of nature. “I still remember how fascinated I was to discover that the leaves of the mimosa plant folded up like dominoes when I touched them,” she says. Inspired by her father’s work as a nursing officer, she also developed a passion for medicine. Now, she is harnessing her scientific expertise, her longstanding connection to nature and desire to promote health in her drive to create novel biomedical products. Aside from the ultimate challenge of balancing motherhood and senior scientific roles, Dr Goonoo recognises that building self-confidence is a key strategy for women to succeed as scientists and make themselves heard in decision-making circles. Healthy debates between male and female colleagues are important, she believes, as well as mentorship, role models and strong networks of supportive women scientists. “Gender equality in science fosters innovation and improves the quality of scientific research,” she concludes. “I have faith in the future and it is now up to us to inspire young women to pursue science and keep pushing through the glass ceiling until it shatters completely.”

DR NOUF MAHMOUD

HEALTH SCIENCES

Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology Laboratory, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

Some 35 million people in the Middle East and Africa are living with diabetes. With many cases going undiagnosed, cases of diabetic foot and limb amputations are all too prevalent. Building on her experience in developing novel nano-therapies to address multiple diseases and health conditions, Dr Nouf Mahmoud is designing gold nano-platforms to promote the enhanced healing of diabetic wounds. Coated with substances to help prevent inflammation and infection, the wound dressing both accelerates the healing process and reduces the risk of amputation. “To me, science is the ability to explore nature, to learn more about the world and ourselves,” she says. “My scientific dream is to succeed in developing a biomaterial patch to help solve the problem of diabetic wounds and revolutionise the experience of people suffering with diabetes.” Dr Mahmoud enjoyed her school science lessons, and realising she could make a difference through science, embarked on her journey to become a scientist. “The fascinating and unexpected results I achieved through my PhD studies inspired me to innovate further,” she says. “Today, science is not just a job for me, it is a passion. Put simply, science makes me happy.” While Dr Mahmoud’s family and colleagues have supported her in addressing the challenge of balancing research with motherhood, she recognises that women scientists in general must show more perseverance and persistence in their research due to their additional daily challenges and responsibilities. To thrive in the scientific community, women scientists must overcome fear and self-doubt, and gain access to effective role models and strong mentors, she believes. Training and education to promote gender equity, together with greater efforts to help more women reach leadership roles are also vital. “Scientific excellence and innovation requires both women and men,” she concludes.“I’m honoured that my work has been recognised by L’Oréal and UNESCO, and highly motivated to continue my research and make a positive impact in society. I’ll never give up.”

GEORGINA NYAWO

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY

Clinical Mycobacteriology & Epidemiology (CLIME), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious cause of death worldwide. In Africa, the burden of TB is exacerbated by HIV (which weakens the lungs, making people more vulnerable to pulmonary infection) and limited resources and funding for research. Enterprising Zimbabwean scientist Georgina Nyawo is addressing this challenge by exploring the relationship between diverse bacterial communities (the microbiome) in the human body, TB and people’s resilience to TB. Her work will inform novel medical treatments, helping to rid the continent of this crippling disease. “I’ve always wanted to contribute to improving health and fighting disease in Africa,” says Ms Nyawo. “I would like scientific research to prosper in all corners of the continent and play a key role in expanding access to healthcare. My dream is to see TB and ultimately HIV and AIDS defeated in my lifetime.” Ms Nyawo’s longstanding passion for science began at school, where she enjoyed maths and science. Inspired by her innate desire to conquer challenges, she was determined to pursue science at a higher level, and continues to persevere on her journey of scientific discovery. She sees the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Rising Talents programme as a “significant victory in fulfilling my PhD”, helping her to overcome some of the challenges she has experienced in furthering her training and sharing her findings internationally. She believes balancing a scientific career with family responsibilities remains the greatest challenge for women scientists in Africa, where cultural traditions place a heavy burden of household responsibility on women. Shifts in attitude are required, with men taking on a greater role in the home, as well as more mentorship for women and robust childcare policies. “The presence of more women in science will act as a beacon of light, inspiring young girls to consider science and creating a positive ripple effect across the continent,” she concludes. “And the more scientists we have – women and men – the greater chance we’ll have to defeat infectious diseases, dethrone TB and enable African people to thrive.”

DR RUI BAI

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Structural Laboratory, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

At least 35% genetic disorders and numerous diseases (including many kinds of cancer) are linked to mis- splicing, a dysfunction in human cell development. Dr Rui Bai’s groundbreaking research on RNA splicing and the complex, dynamic molecular machinery in the nucleus known as the spliceosome, has shone a light on the molecular basis for the occurrence of splicing- related diseases, providing vital insights for potential drug development. “Courage is for me more important than anything,” says Dr Bai. “My team and I never failed to believe that we’d unlock the answer one day. It is my passion to reveal the origin of life, to decode the evolution of genome and ultimately, to pave the way to create therapeutic treatments to cure genetic diseases, especially cancer.” Dr Bai’s interest in science has its roots in her early childhood. “I was curious to understand the mechanism of this world – how can birds fly in the sky? Why do flowers bloom in spring? Why do leaves fall in autumn?” she recalls. Keen to find the answers to these questions, she was determined to develop an ever more granular understanding of genetics, electing to study Life Sciences at university. Harnessing the strengths of female power can only advance the quest to unlock the secrets of life and survival on Earth, Dr Bai believes. Nevertheless, few women pursue science as a career after completing their PhDs, with the challenge of balancing research and family priorities sitting firmly at the root of the problem. “Women should be encouraged and supported to focus on their research career without fear of being judged by others,” she says. “Everyone is unique and every scientist has great potential to make a huge difference in their field.”

DR HUANQIAN LOH

PHYSICS

Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, Singapore

Dr Loh’s research uses ultracold molecules – molecules at a millionth of a degree above absolute zero – as quantum ‘lego’ blocks that could be assembled to model complex systems involving superconductors and flexible solar cells, for example. An improved understanding of these advanced materials could help promote the global transition to clean, efficient energy. “I would like science to tackle climate change and help make the world a more sustainable place for all of humanity,” she says. “As a quantum physicist, my dream is to use quantum simulators to guide the search for new materials that could help manage the world’s rising energy needs.” Physics was not initially Dr Loh’s favourite subject at school. But in the process of applying herself to understanding physics concepts, she developed a life- long interest in solving physics problems. “What a delicious adventure it was, to figure out nature bit by bit, atom by atom,” she says, recalling her first experience of research laboratories. “From then on, I was hooked on research and decided I wanted to be a physicist.” Dr Loh’s greatest challenge was juggling motherhood and my academic career as a young assistant professor. “Raising two ‘families’ – one at home and one in the laboratory – wasn’t easy,” she recalls. “It was only possible with the support of my family, colleagues and students, and access to outstanding childcare options.” While she has not personally encountered the ‘glass ceiling’, she recognises the importance of supportive mentors and colleagues, who ensured she received the credit she deserved, and spurred her on to reach ever greater heights. Empowering more women to enter science should start with encouraging school girls with an innate preference for science to follow their heart without judgement. Outreach to girls should emphasise the idea that women do not have to choose between a scientific career and motherhood, while institutions could help by expanding family-friendly efforts, such as ensuring good access to childcare. “We must harness all the world’s brains in using science to tackle humanity’s greatest challenges,” she concludes. “I hope I can serve as a role model to inspire the next generation of girls to pursue science as a career.

DR MIKYUNG SHIN

BIOMATERIALS

Nature-inspired Biomaterial Engineering Laboratory, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Dr Mikyung Shin is designing adhesive biomaterials for tissue regeneration and therapy. Inspired by the adhesive properties of ocean creatures, such as mussels and tunicates, and the astringent taste of plants, including fruit peel, nuts, and cacao, she is engineering a new type of adhesive polymer that can be used to create artificial tissues by means of 3-D bioprinting. Implanted in the body, it encourages new tissues to grow for a long time and degrades naturally after tissue repair. “Given that the majority of the human body is comprised of water, the materials we use to regenerate tissues must be able to bind themselves to biological tissues effectively in order to deliver optimal impact,” she explains. “My scientific dream is to create unique biomaterials that could be used in cardiovascular repair, and ultimately, an artificial heart with the real dimensions of a human heart.” Dr Shin’s interest in science and engineering emerged during her undergraduate studies, when she first explored biodegradable polymers and pondered their bioactive potential in the human body. As a researcher, she is able to apply the full extent of her skills and imagination to designing extraordinary biomaterials. “I channel my creativity and positive attitude to solving complex challenges and enjoy developing knowledge in a dynamic and evolving field,” she says. Although more women are entering science, Dr Shin believes a greater balance between men and women scientists would yield the kind of diverse, complementary approach that is vital to delivering scientific breakthroughs. Building on her own positive experiences of mentorship and in light of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Rising Talents programme, she intends to share her story far and wide, and help inspire the next generation of women in science.

DR VIDA ENGMANN

MATERIAL ENGINEERING

SDU NanoSYD, Mads Clausen Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark

Organic solar cells are a low cost complement to conventional silicon solar cells. In addition to being flexible, transparent and light weight, they also create the lowest environmental impact of all renewable energies. However, organic materials can easily degrade when exposed to air, light and heat, lowering their efficiency. Dr Vida Engmann is working on the stabilisation of the active layer in organic solar cells (the component most vulnerable to degradation) by using combinations of chemical compounds to protect the cells from oxidation. “These chemicals act in a similar way to those used in sun cream to block UV rays from harming our skin,” she explains. “I would love to contribute to stable, durable organic solar cells becoming available in the marketplace, and ultimately, creating a carbon neutral world.” As a child, Dr Engmann was always fascinated by libraries and embraced the joy of learning, encouraged by her mother. “Each book could take you to a different, exciting yet unknown universe, from mathematical riddles to Japanese letters, chemical reactions and Greek mythology,” she recalls. “As a scientist exploring the unusual world of polymers, I always come across a compelling new question I want to solve, and that’s why I stay in science.” For women scientists, finding a balance in life and work is made harder by social constructs that frame women as caretakers in the home and men as active workers and strategic thinkers, Dr Engmann believes. And despite evidence proving there is no difference between women and men in terms of cognitive or leadership abilities, gender bias still restricts women from fulfilling their potential in the world of science. This starts with limited opportunities for grant funding, journal reviewing and academic recruitment, and culminates with women losing confidence in their abilities, which can affect their career choices and lead them to settle for less ambitious roles. “To create the next generation of women scientists, young girls must see women in science as a mainstream trend,” she concludes. “Only then will we be able to attract the best and brightest minds, of both genders, to solve the world’s most pressing scientific challenges. I feel honoured to be part of this important task.”

DR SERAP ERKEK

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY / EPIGENETICS

Cancer Epigenomics Laboratory, Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey

Dr Serap Erkek’s research stands to make a difference to the lives of bladder cancer patients, and ultimately to help prevent them losing their life to this deadly disease. To do this, she is leveraging the field of epigenetics – the study of changes in a gene’s activity that occur independently of the underlying DNA sequence. By studying the mutations in epigenetic factors frequently seen in bladder cancer patients and how they influence the development of bladder tumours, she aims to help identify signs that could improve the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer patients. Since childhood, Dr Erkek has always been interested in puzzles, codes and crosswords. While studying biology, she quickly realised that DNA, the code of life, was perhaps one of the greatest puzzles of all. It was with this determination to help uncover the mysteries of the human genome that she began her current path in molecular biology. “One of the big questions I have is what will happen and what will change in our lives once the sequence of everyone’s genome is known,” she says. Having worked in largely positive work environments, Dr Erkek believes that the research atmosphere in which women scientists operate has a significant impact on their ability to succeed, along with their own passion and determination. Women should leverage their ability for detailed, multi-faceted thinking in science, and embrace the benefits of mentorship, which she believes has shaped her own scientific career. “In history, many women scientists faced discrimination but ultimately made important discoveries through patience and wisdom,” she concludes. “I would like to see more women succeeding in science and for women scientists to progress in their careers on the basis of pure merit.”

DR JENNIFER GARDEN

CHEMISTRY

School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

To help address the global plastic crisis, Dr Garden is developing sustainable alternatives to conventional, crude oil-based plastics, using renewable resources such as carbon dioxide and plants including sugar beet and sweet corn. In addition to avoiding the need for fossil fuels, these plastics are useful for a range of everyday applications and degrade more readily when the material reaches end of life, potentially reducing plastic pollution. “My aim is to develop a new range of plastic materials designed from the outset to be re-used or able to degrade safely within a circular economy,” she says. “Chemistry is a crucial part of the solution, together with broader conversations to help transform the way we design, make and consume plastic.” Dr Garden’s love of chemistry began at an early age. “My best friend and I played ‘potions’ by locking ourselves in the bathroom and mixing toiletries together, which once included an expensive aftershave,” she recalls. As an undergraduate, she created a chemical that had never been made before. “It was an incredible feeling,” she says. “From that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue an academic career in chemistry, combining creativity and the joy of discovery to make a difference in society.”

Despite the fulfilling nature of her work, Dr Garden has too often faced the ‘imposter syndrome’. She has worked hard to improve her confidence and pursue ambitious opportunities, supported by fantastic mentors, as well as family and friends. “I hope to offer the same encouragement to other early career scientists,” she says. While she has perceived some positive signs of increasing gender equality in the academic world, there is still more to do to create an environment where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. Progressive policies are required, and a change in research culture to help ensure that scientists of all genders participate equally in pastoral and administrative responsibilities that too often hold women back by reducing the time available for research. “Diversity of thought brings an extra level of creativity and innovation to research,” she concludes. “When everyone has a voice, it leads to more innovative discoveries and better scientific solutions to tackle important challenges.”

DR CRISTINA ROMERA CASTILLO

MARINE SCIENCES

Marine Biogeochemistry Laboratory, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar, Barcelona, Spain

Some 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the world’s oceans each year, gradually breaking into small plastic particles forming a toxic ‘soup’ that harms animals and marine ecosystems. By exploring the leaching of organic compounds from plastic floating in the ocean and establishing which bacteria are able to thrive by consuming them, Dr Cristina Romera Castillo aims to understand the impact of plastic on the marine carbon cycle and identify an alternative way for it to biodegrade. “I want to study the impact of plastic on marine ecosystems and find potential solutions to the plastic waste challenge,” she says. “It’s important that we see major progress in environmental science and society, so we’re not just developing solutions but also reaching people’s hearts and minds, and nurturing a greater respect for the environment.” With an innate curiosity and desire to understand how the world works, Dr Castillo was compelled to explore science from an early age. Her quest for learning and desire to make a difference have kept her strong throughout the rollercoaster of life as a scientific researcher. And as a woman scientist, she believes building confidence among women scientists is one of the key pathways to achieving gender balance in science. Currently, the deep-rooted lack of confidence among many women scientists prevents them from contributing equally at conferences, promoting their work and applying for positions of responsibility, in her view.

“Women should make more noise and give more visibility to their work,” she says. “Any human being can have a brilliant mind, regardless of gender or race, but the opportunities they experience in life are crucial for its development”, she concludes. “The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Rising Talents programme will give me the platform I need to help motivate and inspire more girls and women who want to do science, and raise awareness of the environmental crisis.”

DR OLENA VANEEVA

MATHEMATICS

Department of Mathematical Physics, Institute of Mathematics of NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine

Dr Olena Vaneeva’s symmetry analysis research will enhance our ability to determine effective mathematical models for real world processes. In particular, developing new approaches for non-linear models in mathematical physics and biology provides invaluable information for use in fields as diverse as space and nanotechnology, nuclear physics, wildlife biology, genetics and investment finance. “My scientific dream is to make symmetry analysis an even more powerful tool for studying real world processes,” she says. “I also dream of scientific discoveries that will deepen our understanding of the universe, such as the identity of dark matter, whether hypothetical particles will be detected one day and if the ninth giant planet predicted recently really exists.” For Dr Vaneeva, the joy of scientific discovery sparked her determination to be a scientist and remains the principal motivation in her career. “I remember an early supervisor presenting me with a problem and no tips on how to solve it,” she recalls. “Ever since finding the solution and tasting the essence of scientific enquiry for the first time, I’ve been inspired to pursue scientific research.” Among the women scientists who have inspired her, she refers to the outstanding mathematician Emmy Noether, one of the first women to study at a German university, and a pioneer in abstract algebra and fundamental physics. “The exclusion of women from higher education throughout history led directly to the underrepresentation of women in science and perpetuated gender stereotypes that still endure today,” she says. The proportion of women researchers at her institute has risen sharply in the past few decades, however, there is still much progress to be made. With researchers re-confirming that there is no difference in girls’ and boys’ brains or mathematical abilities, now is the time to quash stereotypes forever and empower girls to pursue maths and science. “As symmetry analysis researcher, I believe in the power of balance and symmetry, both in life and science,” she concludes.

“The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Rising Talents programme will help give women researchers in my country and beyond the strength to advance and excel in their careers.”

DR PAULA GIRALDO-GALLO

PHYSICS

Quantum Materials Laboratory, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, Colombia

Condensed matter physicist Dr Giraldo-Gallo is researching complex and strongly correlated materials to characterise and understand the origin and nature of their ground states (the lowest energy state of an atom, particle or system), and optimise their properties. She commonly encounters phenomena including superconductivity and thermoelectricity, which could pave the way to cleaner, more efficient power generation. “I dream that the world will soon have ultra-efficient sources of clean energy so we no longer rely on fossil fuel,” she says. “Superconducting materials could play an important role in this, and in particular, the creation of superconductors that operate in ambient conditions could one day transform our world.” Dr Giraldo-Gallo has been interested in science for as long as she can remember. She determined to pursue a research career during her final years at high school, inspired by a woman physics teacher who encouraged her to explore topics beyond the school curriculum. “I started reading books by Carl Sagan and others, and was instantly captured by the ‘mysteries of the universe’,” she says. “I initially wanted to dedicate my studies to cosmology, before settling on cool materials.” However, her path to condensed matter physics has not been easy. “One of the biggest challenges was convincing my parents, small family business owners, that physics was something you could live on,” she recalls. “But I was determined to succeed, and they now understand that I chose the right path.” Dr Giraldo-Gallo believes that the underrepresentation of women in science is the result of pervasive gender stereotypes throughout life, with young boys and girls given different toys, for example, that prompt different skills and ways of thinking. Within the scientific world, the glass ceiling could have its origins in the way ambition is perceived negatively in women, and positively in men. “We must overcome the stereotypes, and in particular, the image of a scientist as a socially awkward white man, locked in his labs doing crazy experiments or calculations,” she concludes. “On the contrary, science is a collaborative discipline, and can only be enriched by people of different genders and backgrounds.”

DR PATRICIA MEDEIROS

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Laboratory of Biocultural Ecology, Conservation and Evolution Institution: Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil

Ethnobotanist Dr Patrícia Medeiros is exploring the relationship between humans and plants, with a particular focus on understanding how people in urban Brazil could be encouraged to consume edible wild plants. Her research could help to bring more diversity to people’s diets, promote biodiversity and improve food security by reducing society’s reliance on a small number of food crops at risk from climate change and environmental degradation. “Wild food plants may be better adjusted to local climatic conditions, strengthening the resilience of the food chain and avoiding the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers,” she says. “Their popularisation could also generate additional income for local farmers and harvesters when mainstream, industrialised crops are depleted.” Dr Medeiros realised she wanted to become a scientific researcher during her undergraduate biology studies. “The idea of proposing and testing hypotheses and making my own contributions to generate knowledge fascinated me,” she recalls. “Ethnobotany enables me to make a positive impact by asking scientific questions that can only be answered by combining biological sciences with the humanities and social sciences.” Despite recent advances in gender equality, women scientists still face multiple challenges, Dr Medeiros believes, not least balancing their academic work with motherhood. Overcoming gender stereotypes in the workplace is also fundamental to empowering women in science - enabling women to have an equal voice, present their findings more positively, and achieve the recognition they deserve. “Fortunately, I was lucky to spend most of my formative years in a research group where I never experienced gender discrimination,” she says. “However, as an independent researcher, it was impossible to ignore the sexism that was directed towards me, and the loss of opportunities linked to perceptions that I might not be responsible for the quality of my ideas.” “Gender equality is important in science and throughout society,” she concludes. “Science, and ultimately humanity, can only benefit from a diversity of opinions, approaches and interests.”

DR ELISABETH TREMBATH-REICHERT

EARTH SCIENCE / ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States of America

As a pioneering earth scientist, Dr Elizabeth Trembath-Reichert studies how life survives and even thrives in the little explored subsurface of our planet, where the number of cells is estimated to outnumber all the stars in the universe. In particular, she is exploring the capacity of tiny life forms to cope without sunlight and in extreme temperatures and pressures. Dr Trembath-Reichert proposes to amplify the genomes in her rare subsurface samples to help uncover the limits of survival and where else life might exist in our solar system. “I enjoy leveraging science to explore how amazing our planet is, with its vast diversity of life in all forms and places,” she says.

Dr Trembath-Reichert was initially going to study International Politics with a view to becoming a journalist. “I started writing articles for the science section of our school newspaper and was drawn to stories of travel and exploration,” she recalls. “I decided I wanted to be on the other side of the pen.” From there, she began working in a laboratory researching arsenic contamination in drinking water sources in Bangladesh, and became “hooked” on understanding how the activities of tiny microbes could so significantly affect human health. As an assistant Professor exploring extreme and potentially alien forms of life persevering in the face of the unknown characterises much of Dr Trembath-Reichert’s research. Yet there are still moments where persevering through prejudice and unconscious bias stands in the way of scientific progress. “Given what I still have to deal with today, I am awed by the women who were able to make science happen when conditions were even harder,” she says. “It’s fundamental that science begins to reflect the composition of the general population, so we can maximise our ability to identify scientific solutions to global challenges and the climate crisis in particular,” she concludes. “This is inextricably linked to forging a more diverse scientific community. I’m excited to see what we can achieve when more voices are heard.”