UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

10/17/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/17/2024 20:59

Mexican scientists receive the national awards For Women in Science 2024

L'Oréal Group, UNESCO, and the Mexican Academy of Sciences recognized the excellence of eight Mexican scientists with the For Women in Science awards, in a ceremony held at the Centro Cultural Helénico.

The winners, from fields such as health, chemistry, biology, and engineering, received financial support for their research projects, which aim to address problems in Mexico and the world. This year, the financial support increased by 20% compared to the previous year, an ongoing commitment to promoting women in sciences.

The For Women in Science awards have two categories: The first, called Emerging Talents, aims to support and promote postdoctoral projects led by women in the field of science, providing scholarships to support their continued development.

Ganadoras del Premio "Para las Mujeres en la Ciencia" a Talentos Nacientes
L'Oréal Groupe

On the other hand, the Consolidated Careers category aims to recognize and reward women scientists who have demonstrated a strong trajectory in scientific research.

Ganadoras del Premio "Para las Mujeres en la Ciencia" a Trayectorias Consolidadas
L'Oréal Groupe

Consolidated Careers

Tatiana Klimova Berestneva, Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico. Exact Sciences.

María Cristina Rodríguez Padilla, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Autonomous University of Nuevo León. Natural Sciences.

Refugio Rodríguez Vázquez, Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute. Engineering and Technology.

Emerging Talents

  • Exact Sciences - Mathematics
    Alma Saraí Hernández Torres, from the Institute of Mathematics of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Project Title: Emerging Geometry in Discrete Stochastic Systems: Phase Transitions and Criticality.

  • Natural Sciences - Plant Developmental Biology
    Brenda Anabel López Ruiz, from the Botanical Garden of the Institute of Biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Project Title: Functional Evolution of Important Genes in Resistance to Extreme Climates in Cacti: Gigantism, Succulence, and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism.

  • Chemistry and Materials
    Reyna Berenice González González, from the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Project Title: Development of a Nanosystem for the Rapid and Direct Detection of Pathogens in Water.

  • Health Sciences
    Laura Lucila Gómez Romero, from the National Institute of Genomic Medicine of the Ministry of Health. Project Title: Implementation of a Liquid Biopsy Assay as an Aid in the Detection of Breast Cancer.

  • Engineering and Technology - Environmental Chemistry
    Karla Ximena Vargas Berrones, from the Higher Technological Institute of Rioverde, in San Luis Potosí, part of the National Technological Institute of Mexico. Project Title: Occurrence of Quaternary Ammonium Salts and Their Purification By-products in Water Samples. A Sustainable Technological Development for Their Replacement in Disinfectants.

"In L'Oréal, we believe in a future where gender equality is not a dream but a reality. We are a company born from research. Science is part of our DNA. I am proud that 69% of our scientists are women, and our women scientists have achieved 55% of the patents," declared Deborah Armstrong, the CEO and President of L'Oréal Group.

"Recognizing female scientific excellence is essential in our path toward gender parity in science. Celebrating these achievements encourages current generations of researchers and inspires girls to dream of a future where science has no gender," said José Seade Kuri, President of the Mexican Academy of Sciences.

The UNESCO Representative in Mexico, Andrés Morales, emphasized the importance of inspiring young women to pursue scientific careers: "Inspiring young women is critical to breaking barriers and letting them be scientists. The full participation of women in science not only enriches research with new perspectives but also accelerates the development of innovative solutions to global challenges."

The National Programme For Women in Science has been present in Mexico since 2007 and strives to promote diversity and inclusion in science, a field where the gender gap persists.