The L'Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program awards five postdoctoral scientists annually with grants of $60,000 each for their contributions to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and commitment to supporting women and girls in science.
Since 2003, L'Oréal USA's For Women in Science program has supported more than 80 postdoctoral scientists, awarding them $4 million in grants. The program is the U.S. component of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards, which has recognized and rewarded over 3,400 women scientists from more than 116 countries.
L'Oréal USA partners with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to manage the program's application and peer-review process.
"L'Oréal USA's2020 For Women in Science Fellows represent a depth of expertise across the scientific spectrum, and we are inspired by the world-changing work they are doing," said Danielle Azoulay, vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, L'Oréal USA. "At a time in which we are constantly reminded of the importance of science, it is all the more critical to be supporting the representation of women in STEM."
In addition to grant funding, For Women in ScienceFellows receive mentorship, media training, career coaching, and recognition.
"The L'Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship has been incredible in supporting my transition to independence in my work, which is focused on brain cancer, its treatment, and increasing the survival rate. It has given me the confidence to take professional risks and supported the jumpstart of my new lab, which is opening early next year," said Aparna Bhaduri, a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, San Francisco's Department of Neurology, and 2019 For Women in Science Fellow. "It is my hope that 2020 For Women in Science fellows will help guide each other and serve as leaders and role models in their fields until female scientists are so prevalent that we equalize opportunity at all levels of achievement."
This year's For Women in Science fellows are being honored for their important research across a range of fields.
Cara Brook's research in Integrative Biology at the University of California-Berkeley focuses on understanding wild bats to illuminate pathways involved in mammalian disease and aging. Currently, Cara's emphasis is on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and seeking the development of therapeutics.
Wendy Brown's research in Biomedical Engineering at the University of California – Irvine, focuses on growing cartilage from cells in anatomical shapes and sizes for surgical implantation. Her research seeks to help millions of people with facial damage due to cancer, burns, congenital defects, or other physical trauma.
Kayla Nguyen's research in the field of Physics and Material Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is dedicated to taking pictures of the smallest building block in the universe—the atom—using a tool called the electron microscope. Taking increasingly detailed, higher resolution images of atoms promises to improve drug delivery systems, quicken computer processing, and make fuel cell cars more accessible, to name a few examples.
Nancy Padilla-Coreano's research in Systems Neurobiology at The Salk Institute of Biological Studies–San Diego explores how the brain encodes social dominance. Understanding how the healthy brain encodes social information, and how circuits control social behavior, can aid the development of potential therapies for social deficits.
Silvania da Silva Teixeira's research in metabolic diseases at the University of Colorado focuses on the treatment of late-stage Type 2 Diabetes by stimulating insulin secretion with a daily pill instead of managing insulin levels with daily injections. The proposed research can positively affect the quality of life of millions of Americans.
L'Oréal USA is recognizing the FWIS Fellows with a slate of programming this week, including:
