L’Oréal Foundation and UNESCO Join Forces to Honor Exceptional Women in Science

   

                                 

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) Paris, France - March 4, 2010 – Dr. Elaine Fuchs, professor of Cellular Biology and Development at Rockefeller University in New York, was honored at the 12^th L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards Ceremony, tonight at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. The award honored five exceptional women scientists, one from each continent, for their breakthrough research and their commitment to help solve global scientific challenges.    Dr. Fuchs was named the 2010 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science North American recipient for her work in stem cell research and key processes involved in skin development, maintenance and repair.   Earlier in the day, Dr. Fuchs participated in a roundtable discussion with 2010 UNESCO- L’Oréal International Fellows entitled, “Stem Cells and Genes: The Mysteries of Life.” Dr. Fuchs has pioneered new methods to determine the genetic basis of human diseases. Her work has also revolutionized the scientific approach to skin stem cells, which make it possible to reverse hair loss or regenerate the cells of the epidermis. She continues to explore stem cells because they offer tremendous promise in the field of regenerative medicine.   Through the For Women in Science program, L’Oréal and UNESCO seek to bring together women researchers such as Dr. Fuchs who are helping to change the world through their work. These expert scientists embrace global challenges ranging from health to the environment and represent future progress.   The prestigious jury for the 12^th L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards was presided over by Professor Günter Blobel, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine 1999. The other 2010 Laureates are:   Africa and the Middle East: Professor Rashika El Ridi (Egypt), Professor of Immunology in the Zoology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Cairo University.

•  “For paving the way towards the development of a vaccine against the tropical parasitic disease bilharzia which affects over 200 million people.”

  Asia and the Pacific: Professor Lourdes J. Cruz (Philippines), Professor at the Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City.

• “For the discovery of conotoxins produced by certain marine snails that can serve as painkillers and pharmaceutical probes to study brain function.”

  Europe: Professor Anne Dejean-Assémat (France), Research Director at the Pasteur Institute as well as Unit 579 specializing in molecular and cellular biology of tumours at INSERM, Paris.

•  “For the elucidation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms at the origin of certain cancers in humans.”

  Latin America: Professor Alejandra Bravo (Mexico), Professor at the Institute of Biotechnology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in Cuernavaca.

•  “For her understanding of the mechanism of a bacterial toxin that acts as an environmentally friendly insecticide.” 

Recently, Professors Elizabeth Blackburn and Ada Yonath, both 2008 Laureates of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, were awarded the Nobel Prize, in Medicine and Chemistry respectively. Recognition of the scientific excellence of these women by such a prestigious institution provides enormous encouragement for the future of the L’Oréal Foundation and UNESCO partnership.   Over the past 12 years, the For Women in Science program has honored 62 Laureates and 864 Fellows. It has become an international reference for scientific excellence and an invaluable source of motivation and inspiration for women in science.   For more information, please visit www.forwomeninscience.com.     Editor’s note: For generic interview and b-roll of Dr. Fuchs, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/womeninscience.   About the L’Oréal Foundation The L’Oréal Corporate Foundation, created in 2007, pursues the goal of making the world a better place each day. Drawing on the Group’s values and professional expertise, the L’Oréal Foundation aims to reinforce and perpetuate the Group’s commitment to responsible citizenship.   As the second largest corporate foundation in France with a multi-annual budget of €40 million, the L’Oréal Foundation is active in three main areas: supporting scientific research and the role of women in science, helping vulnerable people regain self-esteem and social reintegration, and fostering access to education.     About UNESCO Since its creation in 1945, UNESCO has pursued the mission of promoting science for sustainable development and peace. Today UNESCO focuses on policy and on capacity building in science, technology and science education, on managing freshwater, oceans and earth resources in a sustainable manner, on the protection of biodiversity and on climate change. The Organization is committed to the elimination of all forms of discrimination and the promotion of gender equality, especially in the field of scientific research.   Media Contact: Maureen O’Connell, Cone, Inc. 617-939-8330; moconnell@coneinc.com   Dana Ropper, L’Oréal USA 212-984-4742; dropper@us.loreal.com

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