Six Poles have been granted the 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards for women in science, recognising their innovative research in the life and environmental sciences.
The aim of the L’Oréal-UNESCO Programme for Women and Science, which has been running since 2001, is to promote the scientific achievements of talented female researchers, encourage them to continue their work aimed at advancing science and provide financial support. By 2024, 129 female scientists have been recognised in Poland.
This year’s applications were evaluated by a Jury composed of eminent representatives of Polish science, chaired by Professor Ewa Łojkowska. Out of the best applications, 6 projects were recognised and their authors were awarded: 3 habilitation scholarships of PLN 40 000, 2 doctoral scholarships of PLN 35 000 and a master’s scholarship of PLN 25 000.
- Justyna Jakubska (Master’s category) from the Silesian University of Technology specializes in biodegradable and antibacterial packaging materials. Her research focuses on eco-friendly materials made from chitosan, sodium alginate, and starch as alternatives to plastic.
- dr. Hanna Orlikowska-Rzeźnik (Doctoral category) from the Poznań University of Technology studies cholesterol and lipid rafts in membrane fusion processes. She has authored 18 scientific papers, 4 patents, and participated in international research projects.
- dr. Maja Szymczak (Doctoral category) from the Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences works on optical pressure sensors based on Cr³⁺ ion luminescence. She has published 19 papers and holds a patent.
- dr. Katarzyna Klonowska (Habilitation category) from the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences is a geneticist specializing in tuberous sclerosis research, with findings that could impact diagnostics. She has 21 publications, including in Nature Communications.
- dr. Alicja Mikołajczyk (Habilitation category) from the University of Gdańsk focuses on digital design of materials, chemicals, and drugs, with an emphasis on sustainable development. Her work integrates AI, machine learning, and quantum chemistry.
- dr. Zuzanna Świrad (Habilitation category) from the Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences researches coastal erosion. She has worked internationally and authored numerous publications.
All award-winning researchers will participate in international conferences and symposia and their achievements will be promoted not only in the scientific community, but also presented to the wider public.
Source: Loreal-Unesco/ Ph. Marcin Oliva Soto
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