L’Oréal-UNESCO Middle East Regional Young Talents Program Celebrates Scientific Excellence for 11th Year with 6 Visionary Female Scientists from the GCC

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program, in partnership with Khalifa University of Science and Technology, celebrates its 11^th edition by honoring six visionary Arab female scientists from the region. Recognized for their groundbreaking research in fields ranging from neuroscience to transcriptomics, these trailblazers have each received grants to support their innovative work in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The regional program is part of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science initiative, which has recognized over 4,100 researchers and 127 Laureates from more than 110 countries since 1998. This year’s Middle East edition reinforces the program’s commitment to empowering women in STEM and addressing critical global challenges.

These scientists are working on transformative projects that address issues such as climate change, cardiovascular diseases and autism, aiming to drive impactful scientific advancements.

The 2024 winners are:

• Entesar Al-Hetlani: Kuwaiti Professor at Kuwait University, under the discipline of Forensic Chemistry, researching the topic “Using Deep UV Raman Spectroscopy to Identify Bodily Fluids in Fingermarks”
• Fatima Alshamsi: Emirati PhD candidate at Khalifa University, under the discipline of Transcriptomics, researching the topic “Identifying Genes Promoting Endothelial Cell Dysfunction in Diabetic Cardiovascular Complications”
• Hiam Souheil Chemaitelly: Lebanese Assistant Professor of Research in Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, under the discipline of Infectious Diseases, researching the topic “Epidemiology of respiratory infections and effectiveness of interventions”
• Israa Al Hussain Al Hassan Othman: Sudanese PhD candidate at Khalifa University, under the discipline of Nanomaterials and Photocatalysis, researching the topic “Development of Quantum Dots (QDs) and Their Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Applications”
• Leena Ali Ibrahim: Palestinian-Bulgarian Assistant Professor of Bioscience at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), under the discipline of Neuroscience, researching the topic “Autism’s Link to Layer 1 Inhibitory Neurons: Identifying the Genes and Circuits that Lead to Hypersensitivity”
• Taiba Alamoudi: Saudi Arabian PhD candidate at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), under the discipline of Marine Science, researching the topic “The Impacts of Climate Change and the Biotechnological Potential of Seaweed”

H.E. Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairperson of the UAE Space Agency, has endorsed the program for the sixth consecutive year.

Her Excellency, Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, commended the initiative for its profound impact in empowering women researchers across multiple scientific disciplines. She emphasized its pivotal role in fostering leadership, innovation, and excellence in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while amplifying the presence and influence of women in these critical domains.

Her Excellency congratulated the initiative’s laureates, commending their remarkable contributions to advancing science in their communities. She highlighted that the initiative serves as an annual platform to honor female scientists in core disciplines, underscoring the inspirational role women play as key partners driving scientific progress.

Laurent Duffier, Managing Director of L’Oreal Middle East, said, “At L’Oréal, we believe that innovation thrives when diverse voices are included. However, the stark underrepresentation of women in STEM remains a global challenge. Through the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program, we are committed to breaking down barriers and empowering women scientists to reach their full potential. By supporting their research and fostering their career progression, we not only advance science but also inspire the next generation of women to lead in STEM.”

His Excellency Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University of Science and Technology said, “At Khalifa University, we recognize that empowering women scientists in the UAE is essential for building national capabilities and driving innovation. The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program plays a crucial role in highlighting and elevating the exceptional contributions of female scientists. By investing in their talent and research, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fortifying our commitment to a diverse and dynamic research community. Championing women in STEM is vital to help address our country’s challenges and enhance our capacity for sustainable progress.”

Since its inception in the Middle East, the program has now honored 57 female researchers from the wider region, providing vital funding and recognition to help them realize their scientific aspirations and make a lasting impact in their fields.

Despite the growing recognition of the importance of STEM to global innovation and development, women remain underrepresented in these fields. According to the World Economic Forum, women make up only 29.2% of the workforce in STEM globally[1]. Furthermore, studies show that women in STEM are often paid less than their male counterparts and face greater obstacles to career advancement. These disparities highlight the ongoing need for programs like the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, which are dedicated to supporting women in their pursuit of scientific excellence and leadership.

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Program strives to break barriers for women in STEM, offering the tools and visibility needed for them to thrive in their fields. With the ethos “The world needs science, and science needs women,” the program continues to champion gender diversity in science.

[1] World Economic Forum: Empowering women in STEM: How we break barriers from classroom to C-suite, March 2024