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6.08.2006 ET
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The Next Generation of Science Stars: Five Female Scientists Honored With 2006 L'Oreal USA Fellowships
National Program Honors Women Scientists; Boosts Careers, Builds Networks
(CSRwire) New York, NY, June 8, 2006 -- L'Oréal USA announced today the
recipients of its esteemed 2006 Fellowships for Women In Science at an
awards ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History in New York
City. Five young women, all on the cutting-edge of scientific advances,
were awarded $20,000 each to carry out research projects. Now in its third
year, the highly selective L'Oréal USA Fellows program recognizes and
rewards up-and-coming female scientists from across the country and
disciplines.
While the scientific competence of men and women may be on an equal
footing, there is an undeniable divergence between men's and women's
careers in the sciences after they reach their late 20s and early 30s. At
each successive stage on the career path, women drop out at higher rates
than men. For women in science, the critical years occur during the
transition from post-doctoral student to becoming a career scientist,
which often coincides with starting a family. The L'Oréal USA Fellowships
encourage young women to continue their careers in science, by both
supporting them financially and helping them strengthen their networks in
the scientific community.
"The world benefits from many new discoveries that scientists and their
research yield, and the need for trained scientists and researchers has
increased," said Laurent Attal, President and CEO, L'Oréal USA. "Women
continue to be underrepresented in many important scientific disciplines
and L'Oréal believes that more can be done to encourage and support women
in all fields of science. We firmly believe that science needs women."
Drawing from a competitive pool of talented post-doctoral researchers, the
L'Oréal USA Fellowships for Women In Science enable young scientists to
continue working toward breakthroughs in their research. Women scientists
like these Fellows often serve as inspirational role models, encouraging
girls across the country to stay interested in science.
The 2006 L'Oréal USA Fellows are:
Dr. Anne Carpenter, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research,
Sabatini Laboratory, Cambridge, Massachusetts - cell & computational
biologist, undertaking a systematic study of cell growth using an open
source, cell image analysis software she co-developed called Cell Profiler
(www.cellprofiler.org). At the interface between biology, computer
programming and automated microscopy, Dr. Carpenter's research project
aims to complete the identification and characterization of genes
controlling cell growth, in the hopes of detecting which genes cause
diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's.
Dr. Anne McNeil, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT),
Cambridge, Massachusetts - organic and polymer chemist, currrently
focusing on the synthesis of water-soluble conjugated polymers quenched by
trytophan-containing cationic proteins. Dr. McNeil's research project will
investigate a new approach to improve the sensitivity, selectivity and
versatility of fluorescent polymer-based chemo- and biosensors. More
specifically, she will explore a novel sensing scheme based on the
analyte-triggered release of a "masked" quencher proximate to the
fluorescent polymer. She hopes to integrate this method into a biosensor
platform for the early diagnosis of diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's).
Dr. Stacy Philpott - Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC -
conservation biologist and ecologist, studying the conservation potential
of coffee certification programs in Chiapas, Mexico and Sumatra,
Indonesia. Dr. Philpott's research project will focus on the effects of
hurricanes and other ecological damage on coffee agroecosystems in the
Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico, to inform conservation management
decisions for long-term sustainability.
Dr. Michelle Povinelli - Stanford University, Stanford, California -
optics and photonics engineer, considered to be one of the most
outstanding young scientists in the emerging area of nano-photonic devices
and systems. Dr. Povinelli is focusing on slow light in photonic-crystal
structures and leading an effort to purse enhancement of frequency
conversion process in non cavity structures. Dr. Povinelli's research
project will study slow light in two other types of engineered photonic
devices (optical fibers and superconducting qubits) with the goal of
developing practical engineering applications.
Dr. Antonina Roll-Mecak - University of California, San Francisco,
California - cellular and molecular biophysicist, forging new ground in
cell biology and microscopy by combining live cell high-resolution
microscopy with the tools of structure and biochemistry. She is
deciphering the in vivo functions of the protein spastin, which is
affected in the hereditary disease, Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP).
Dr. Roll-Mecak's research project aims to improve the understanding of the
mechanism of action of spastin and the cellular consequences incurred when
this enzyme fails, leading to disease.
Each year since its inception, the L'Oréal USA Fellowships for Women In
Science program has attracted increasingly strong applications from women
conducting innovative and groundbreaking research. A distinguished jury
of eight eminent scientists -- presided over by Ralph J. Cicerone,
President, National Academy of Sciences, and including former
L'ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science Award laureates and others -- selects
the five fellowship beneficiaries. Because this year's applicants were
exceptionally compelling, the selection criteria of the 2006 winners
advanced beyond the program's standard measurements (scientific
excellence, prestigous academic records, strong track record of
productivity, etc.) to seek out the select few who truly have the highest
probability of making scientific advances.
"We should not - and cannot - expect to achieve great success without
realizing and utilizing the full potential offered by so many bright,
young minds in the fields of science," said Dr. Cicerone. "That's why
awards that offer support and highlight the value of such extraordinary
talents -- like those of the young women being honored by L'Oréal USA
this year -- are key to keeping the pipeline of women in science
forthcoming."
The L'ORÉAL USA Fellowships For Women in Science program, which has
recognized 15 U.S. women with distinction since its launch in 2003, is a
component of the international L'ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science
program. This multi-dimensional program includes the L'ORÉAL-UNESCO
Awards, presented annually to five leading women career scientists, one
per continent, and the UNESCO-L'ORÉAL International Fellowships, granted
annually to 15 promising young women scientists (doctorate or
post-doctorate) from the regions of Africa, the Arab States, Asia/Pacific,
Europe/North America and Latin America/Caribbean.
Since the L'ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science international program
started in 1998, 132 women from 60 countries have been recognized for
their contributions to scientific progress. The program seeks to encourage
women scientists to persevere under sometimes challenging circumstances,
such as social stigmas and gender biases. By giving women in science a
public face, the program aims to provide the next generation of women
scientists with inspirational role models.
In 2006, L'Oréal and UNESCO launched AGORA, an online forum that focuses
on women and science. The community of eminent international scientists,
including Nobel laureates, as well as all L'ORÉAL-UNESCO Award Laureates
and Fellows, are invited to share their ideas and experiences of various
issues, including those concerning women in science. For more information,
please visit: www.agora.forwomeninscience.com.
For more information on the L'ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science program,
please visit www.forwomeninscience.com
ABOUT L'ORÉAL
L'ORÉAL is a worldwide leader in the cosmetics industry, developing
innovative products to meet the diverse needs of customers in 130
countries worldwide. Over 2,900 people work in the Group's 13 research
centers, located in France, Asia and America. Their findings are
responsible for the registration of hundreds of patents annually. L'Oréal
also devotes over 3% of sales annually to research and development - an
investment unmatched anywhere else in the industry. Women represent 55% of
L'Oréal's research and development workforce. For more information, please
visit: www.loreal.com
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