Who are the Romanian women who were awarded at the ”For Women in Science” Gala?
Article published on 28-11-2018
Four Romanian women researchers were awarded 42,000 lei each at the 9th edition of the L'Oréal - UNESCO Gala „For Women in Science”. At its ninth edition, the program awards young female researchers aged maximum 35 who either have a PhD degree or undergo PhD studies, and run research projects in the fields of Physical Sciences and Life Sciences on the territory of Romania.
The Winners of the Physical Sciences Section
Nicoleta Apostol - second-degree scientific researcher with a specialization in chemistry - 33 years old, is working at the National Institute for Material Physics and the project for which she received funding deals with the use of graphene as a gas detector.
Alexandra Palla-Papavlu - third degree scientific researcher, 33 years old, specializing in the field of physics - is working at the National Institute for Laser Physics, Plasma and Radiation in the research group "Photonics Processing of Advanced Materials". Her project awarded with the scholarship has as theme the development of an electronic nose for drug detection.
The Winners of the Life Sciences Section
Monica Tucureanu - third-degree scientific researcher, 33 years old, with a specialization in biological sciences - she works at the „Nicolae Simionescu” Institute of Cell Biology and Pathology, in the field of cellular and molecular biology of the cardiovascular system. Her awarded project has been studying aortic valve dysfunction in diabetic patients.
Alexandra-Iulia Irimie, 33 years old, is a lecturer at the Department of Propedeutics and Dental Aesthetics at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Iuliu Haţieganu" in Cluj-Napoca and also a specialist in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics at the Cluj Orthodontic Center. The research project for which she received the scholarship studies the functional role of RNA in cancer cases associated with HPV infections.
"Research and science are among the pillars of the L'Oréal Group, founded by a researcher, more than 100 years ago. Thus, it is in our DNA to support innovation, research, and those who build a better, safer future through science. The private scholarship program „For Women in Science”, developed in partnership with the National Commission of Romania for UNESCO, is the way we show our appreciation and support to young Romanian researchers who, through their efforts, contribute to progress. We strongly believe that women in science have the power to change the world, so over the last nine years our effort has focused on helping women excel in research to get the most out of their work", said Javier Labarta, interim General Manager, L'Oréal Romania.
"Supporting and promoting fundamental and applied research within the social responsibility actions of the private environment are becoming more and more a reality in Romania. In this context, the partnership with L'Oréal gives UNESCO the major argument for the development and sustainability of research", said Ani Matei, Secretary - General, National Commission of Romania for UNESCO.
Study: What does the future of Romanian female scientists looks like
Concerned by the small number of women in the technical and scientific professions in Romania, L'Oréal Romania has investigated the future prospects of the field through a study that reveals the aspirations of Romanian young women when it comes to career and to what extent they are interested in a career in science or even scientific research.
According to the study conducted by L'Oréal Romania together with Reveal Marketing Research, two out of ten respondents consider the possibility of pursuing a career in science, but only 1.5% are interested in a career in scientific research. They would turn to this area in their desire to contribute to development and progress, to discover interesting things, but also for the satisfaction of knowledge or the stable future that this field can offer to women scientists. On the other hand, they would not turn to science because they fear the great amount of work it involves and the continuing need for study and training.
Asked to what they associate the word „science”, half of the youngsters included in the study spontaneously mentioned the word „intelligence”. More details about the study are available on the L'Oréal Romania website.
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The ninth edition of L'Oréal - UNESCO „For Women in Science”
The ninth local edition of the program took place between July and November 2018 and brought together 55 applications in the competition. The national scholarship program addresses young female researchers aged maximum 35 who either have a PhD degree or undergo PhD studies on the territory of Romania.
The project has awarded by now 21 Romanian female researchers, and the total amount of scholarships awarded reached 882,000 lei. Since 2009, over 400 application files have been submitted from more than 50 educational institutions, which have been judged and evaluated by renowned researchers over 500 hours in total.
About the international program „For Women in Science”
Over the past 20 years, the L'Oréal Foundation and UNESCO have supported 3,200 young women scientists from all over the world through scholarship programs. L'Oréal - UNESCO „For Women in Science” scholarships are awarded annually at national or regional level in ceremonies organized in 117 countries.
275 young women benefit from national or regional scholarships each year. Of these, the most promising 15 scientists are selected within the International Rising Talents program.
Annually, five scientists receive the L'Oréal – UNESCO „For Women in Science” Award in their field of work. Each winner receives a prize of € 100,000.
