5.10.2004 ET

(CSRwire) NEW YORK, NY--On May 5, 2004, five remarkable young women from leading academic institutions in the U.S. were honored for their achievements and promising scientific research, as part of the L'Oréal USA for Women in Science Fellowship Programme. The honorees, representing leading academic institutions MIT, Cornell, Harvard, the University of California in San Francisco, and the University of Pennsylvania, were awarded education and research grants of $20,000 dollars each, during a special luncheon reception held at the New York Academy of Sciences.

Launched in March of 2003, the L'Oréal USA Fellowship Programme was created as a demonstration of the company's ongoing commitment to advancing the careers of promising young women scientists at the beginning of their careers in the sciences. The Fellowship Programme is an extension of the L'Oréal Group's global for Women in Science initiative, whose fundamental mission is to recognize the contributions made by women scientists, and encourage more women to adopt science as a career.

Each year the L'ORÉAL-UNESCO for Women in Science awards and partnership identifies five eminent women researchers, one from each continent, as Laureates, and grants 15 Fellowships to promising young women scientists at the doctoral or post-doctoral level. Since it was created in 1998, the program has recognized the past and potential achievements of 91 women scientists from 45 countries around the world, involved in the life and material sciences.

The US Fellowship Programme recognized the scientific achievements of these students in the following disciplines: Kelly George (Organic Chemistry - University of Pennsylvania), Pardis Christine Sabeti (Genetics and Infectious Disease - MIT), Amy Prieto (Chemistry & Chemical Biology - Harvard), Karen Menuz (Neuroscience - University of California in San Francisco) and Sheila Tandon (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - MIT).

These young women were selected by a jury of scientists that included three distinguished for Women in Science North American Laureates: Dr. Joan Steitz, Yale Sterling Professor; Dr. Johanna Levelt Sengers, Scientist Emeritus at the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and Dr. Thressa Campbell Stadtman, honored member of the National Institute of Health.

"We are all immensely proud of these young women and very pleased to support their passion for and dedication to science," said Jean-Paul Agon, President and CEO of L'Oreal USA, "Today's fellows represent the changing face of science and in recognizing them, L'Oréal USA is honoring its tradition of commitment, support and encouragement for women in science and for excellence in scientific research."

Mr. Agon presided over the afternoon celebration attended by Commissioner Marjorie Tiven representing the New York City Mayor's Office, as well as other important guests representing the academic and scientific communities - including other key L'Oréal USA executives.

Keynote speaker at the event was Dr. Mae Jemison, who secured her place in history as a scientist and as the first woman of color to travel into space. Dr. Jemison, who in 1992 journeyed into space aboard the space shuttle Endeavour, has devoted much of her time, since that historic day, to the cause of science education, and to the intellectual development of young people from around the world. "I had to learn very early not to limit myself due to others limited imagination," she says. "I have learned these days, never to limit anyone else due to my own limited imagination."

Applications for the 2005 Fellowship Awards will be posted on the L'Oréal USA company website at the beginning of August, and will be housed under the L'ORÉAL-UNESCO for Women in Science U.S. news and information page.

Note to the Editors

L'Oréal USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the L'Oréal Group, is headquartered in New York City, has 9 manufacturing plants, 10 distribution centers and 2 research and development facilities across the country, employs more than 8000 people, 330 in R&D, and produces nearly 1billion units each year. Ninety-five percent of all products sold in the U.S. are made in the U.S.

L'Oréal USA's brand portfolio includes: L'Oréal Paris, Maybelline New York, Garnier, Soft Sheen-Carson, Matrix, Redken 5th Avenue NYC, L'Oréal Professionnel, Vichy, La Roche-Posay, Lancôme, Biotherm, Kiehl's Since 1851, Shu Uemura, Georgio Armani Parfums and Cosmetics, as well as Ralph Lauren Fragrances.

The L'Oréal Group is also one of the world's most successful businesses ever, having reported its 19th consecutive year of double-digit growth for 2003.

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