Here is the English translation of the Chinese title: **2026 “L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards” Ceremony Held** Alternatively, a slightly more polished version: **2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards Ceremony Takes Place**

Five outstanding female scientists have been honored for their groundbreaking contributions that have advanced the fields of life and environmental sciences.

ParisJune 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 28th “L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards” ceremony was held by UNESCO and the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters. Five outstanding female scientists were recognized for their breakthrough research in the life and environmental sciences and for their exceptional contributions to addressing major challenges facing humanity today.

This year’s laureates have made pioneering contributions in the fields of cardiovascular health, regenerative medicine, nutritional psychiatry, agricultural biotechnology, and single-cell genomics. Their research is improving the lives of people worldwide, advancing scientific knowledge, and opening new pathways for innovation in human health, food security, and environmental resilience.

During the ceremony, the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation announced the official renewal of its six-year cooperation agreement with UNESCO. As the initiator and long-term promoter of the awards, the two parties have worked together for 28 years, continuously supporting women’s participation in the field of science. Looking ahead, the two sides will continue to refine a support system for female scientific talent at different stages of growth, based on their shared vision: from the “Teen Girls Empowerment Program” to spark scientific interest among youth, to the “For Women in Science” program supporting the career development of female researchers, cultivating and strengthening a more diverse scientific innovation force.

This year’s laureates were selected by an independent international jury chaired by Professor Brigitte L. Kieffer. Professor Kieffer is an Emeritus Research Director at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), a member of the French Academy of Sciences, and a former laureate of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards.

2026 Laureates

Africa and the Arab States – Professor Liesl Zühlke (South Africa)

Currently a Professor at the University of Cape Town and Vice President of the South African Medical Research Council. She has elevated the fight against rheumatic heart disease to a global priority and, using research as a bridge, is dedicated to closing the gap between cutting-edge science and social justice, striving for more opportunities for vulnerable children.

Asia and the Pacific – Professor Felice Jacka (Australia)

Distinguished Professor at Deakin University and Director of the Food & Mood Centre in Australia. She provided the first scientific evidence demonstrating that diet is a key factor in treating depression and anxiety, founding the field of nutritional psychiatry.

Europe – Professor Sarah A. Teichmann (United Kingdom)

Currently the Professor of Stem Cell Medicine at the University of Cambridge, UK. She is dedicated to decoding the 37 trillion cells in the human body to understand how the immune system fights disease. Through pioneering research integrating genomics and computational biology, she has created invaluable resources for biomedical research and public health.

Latin America and the Caribbean – Professor Raquel Lia Chan (Argentina)

Currently a Researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and Director of the Institute of Agrobiotechnology of the Littoral in Argentina. She discovered a class of key genes that help crops withstand extreme environments and drought. In the face of increasingly severe climate change, her scientific achievements offer new hope for ensuring global food security.

North America – Professor Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic (United States)

Professor Vunjak-Novakovic is currently a Professor at Columbia University in the United States. She has made groundbreaking contributions to the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. By cultivating “organs-on-chips” in the laboratory, she is paving the way for personalized human repair treatments without side effects.

About the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Program

Since 1998, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards have honored five outstanding female scientists each year. The awards alternate annually between focusing on life sciences (even-numbered years) and the natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science (odd-numbered years), aiming to recognize researchers who have made significant contributions to scientific progress. Each laureate is selected by a jury composed of internationally renowned experts and receives a prize of €100,000 to support their research work.

To date, the program has honored 142 female scientists, seven of whom have gone on to win the Nobel Prize, highlighting the pivotal role of women scientists in driving scientific progress and addressing global challenges.