The L'OREAL-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science - 2014 has been announced. This year's laureates are honored for major scientific advancements that are helping solve some of society's greatest challenges, including cancer, depression and addiction.
The awards were announced in the run-up to International Women's Day, observed on March 8.
Every year, one outstanding woman scientist each from five continents are honored for the contributions of their research in a field still largely dominated by men, the strength of their commitments and their impact on society.
This year's laureates are Professor Brigitte Kieffer (Europe), Professor Laurie Glimcher (North America), Professor Cecilia Bouzat (Latin America), Professor Kayo Inaba (Asia/Pacific), and Doctor Segenet Kelemu (Africa and the Arab States).
Professor at University of Strasbourg, France, Kieffer is being honored for her decisive work on the brain mechanisms involved in pain, mental illness and drug addiction. Her findings led the way to new treatments for fighting pain, addiction and depression.
The first woman dean of a medical school in New York, Prof. Glimcher is a worldwide pioneer and leader in the field of immunology. She is being honored for discovering key factors involved in controlling immune response (T-bet) in allergies and in autoimmune, infectious and malignant diseases. Her findings are paving the way for the development of new treatments for allergies, asthma, multiple sclerosis, childhood diabetes and cancer.
Argentine Professor Cecilia Bouzat is an international leader in neurotransmitter pharmacology. She is being honored for her world-renowned discoveries that enabled the identification of the communications problem between the brain and muscles that causes major neurological disorders. Prof. Bouzat's work has opened the door to potential new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, depression and certain addictive behaviors.
A professor at Japan's Kyoto University, Kayo Inaba is being honored for her critical discoveries concerning the mechanisms triggered by the immune system when it is faced with a threat such as a virus or bacteria or by abnormal cells such as cancer cells. Specialized in the study of dendritic cells. Her discovery marked a turning point in cellular therapy and has already led to a new type of anti-cancer treatment.
The first women from her region to attend what was then Ethiopia's only university, Dr. Segenet Kelemu is being honored for her research on how microorganisms living in symbiosis with forage grasses can improve their capacity to resist disease and adapt to environmental and climate change. Her work is providing new solutions for ecologically responsible food crop production. After having studied in the United States and worked in Colombia, she returned to Africa and is now at the heart of an impressive international scientific research network.
The Awards will be distributed at a ceremony to be held on 19 March at the Sorbonne in Paris, UNESCO said in a press release.
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