The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has unveiled the five pioneering scientists who will receive the 2025 L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards.
Leading this year is Professor Wang Xiaoyun, a scientist from the Chinese mainland based at Tsinghua University. Her breakthrough research in cryptography and mathematical security exposed critical flaws in widely used hash functions, leading to the invention of new secure standards. UNESCO notes that “the visibility of her revolutionary work has encouraged many female students to pursue research careers in mathematics and network security.”
Also honored are:
- Professor Priscilla Baker (South Africa) for advances in renewable energy technologies;
- Professor Claudia Felser (Germany) for her work on novel quantum materials;
- Professor Maria Teresa Dova (Argentina) for her discoveries in particle physics and cosmic ray research;
- Professor Barbara Finlayson-Pitts (the United States) for her studies on atmospheric chemistry and air pollution.
Chosen from 466 nominees by an independent jury, these laureates exemplify how diverse voices drive innovation worldwide. The awards ceremony is set for June 12 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
As the STEM community seeks to close gender gaps, the 2025 laureates stand as inspirations, showing that groundbreaking science knows no borders.
Reference(s):
2025 L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards laureates selected
cgtn.com
