L to R: Nausheen Sadiq, B. Mario Pinto, Vanessa D’Costa, Christina Cameron, Megan Eva, Nicolas Chapuis, Jean-Christophe Auffray, Michelle Annett, Mona Nemer, Paul Davidson, Kathryn Hargan, Alicja Gasecka, Frank Kollmar.
L’Oréal Canada reiterates its commitment to women in science
At a ceremony held on January 19 at the French Embassy in Ottawa, seven Canadian women researchers were awarded top honors under the L’Oréal Canada For Women in Science Program with the support of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. The partners also took the opportunity to launch L’Oréal Canada For Girls in Science, an initiative to encourage high school girls to pursue careers in science.
Created in 1998 by L’Oréal and UNESCO, For Women in Science is now among the most prestigious programs of its kind. Since its inception, more than 2,250 scientists from over 110 countries have benefited from the program. National programs have also been created in some sixty countries, including L’Oréal Canada For Women in Science in 2003 with the support of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Thanks to the program, fellowships have been awarded to nearly 50 exceptional women scientists.
“The 2015 winners of the L’Oréal Canada For Women in Science Program fellowship embody the values of excellence, hard work, and innovation we want to encourage and support, in cooperation with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO,” said Frank Kollmar, President & CEO, L’Oréal Canada. “They are clear proof of the important role of Canadian women scientists, whose exceptional work contributes to the advancement of science and knowledge.”
L’Oréal Canada For Girls in Science Program launch
L’Oréal Canada took advantage of the ceremony to reiterate its commitment to promoting careers in science for women by putting in place a one-of-a-kind program for high school students. Called L’Oréal Canada For Girls in Science, this joint initiative with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and Youth Science Canada marks a new level of involvement for the company.
This spring, girls and boys at UNESCO network schools will take part in interactive workshops designed to make careers in science more accessible, while breaking down the persistent stereotypes relating to women in the sciences.
“It is both a great honor and a great responsibility to be a role model for these teens,” said Katherine Farrajota, Manager, Drug Regulatory Affairs, L’Oréal Canada. “Working in the sciences ourselves, we’re well aware of the need to attract more women to these professions. The L’Oréal Canada For Girls in Science Program is therefore a great opportunity to reach girls right when they’re thinking about their professional future.”