Paris, 14 May – The Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO are proud to reveal the names of the five laureates of the 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards. On 28 May, at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, these researchers will be honoured for their pioneering research in life and environmental sciences, and in particular for their major contribution to tackling global public health challenges ranging from cancer to infectious diseases such as malaria and polio and chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes and epilepsy.
Nieng Yan, Academician, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University Professor, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Founding President of Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation, and Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, China, is the eighth Chinese scientist to be honored with this award since its establishment.
Professor Nieng Yan working with her students
Every year, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards honour an exceptional woman from each of the five broad regions: Africa and the Arab States; Asia and the Pacific; Europe; Latin America and the Caribbean; and North America.
The laureates of this 26th edition have been selected from among 350 candidates worldwide by an independent international jury chaired by Professor Brigitte L. Kieffer, Research Director at the Inserm Research Institute, member of the French Academy of Sciences and former laureate of L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards.
Through the excellence of their work, they demonstrate that science needs women more than ever, for example to meet major public health challenges, at a time when cancer cases could increase by 77% by 2050, obesity now affects 1 in 8 people worldwide, and there are still more than 249 million cases of malaria infection. (Source: World Health Organization)
THE 2024 LAUREATES OF THE L'ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL AWARD
LAUREATE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Professor Nieng Yan - Structural biology
University Professor, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University; Founding President of Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation; Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, China
She is rewarded for discovering the atomic structure of multiple membrane proteins that mediate the traffic of ions and sugars across the cell membrane, revealing principles that govern cross-membrane transport. Her exceptional research has informed multiple disorders such as epilepsy and arrhythmia and guided the treatment of pain syndrome. As a leading authority in her field, Dr Yan inspires female scientists globally and is a strong advocate for gender equality in research and science education.
LAUREATE FOR AFRICA AND THE ARAB STATES
Professor Rose Leke – Immunology
Former Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, and Former Director of the Biotechnology Centre, University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon
She is rewarded for her dedicated leadership, outstanding research and pioneering efforts to improve outcomes in pregnancy-associated malaria, support the eradication of polio and improve immunization in Africa, as well as for her efforts to improve the career path of young scientists. Dr Leke’s national, regional, and global influence has had a profound impact on public health in her native Cameroon and across Africa. Her achievements position her as a role model, leading educator and advocate for young female scientists.
LAUREATE FOR LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Professor Alicia Kowaltowski – Biochemistry
Professor of Biochemistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil
She is rewarded for her fundamental contribution to the biology of mitochondria, which are "the cell’s main energy source, acting as their batteries". Her work has been critical for our understanding of the implication of energy metabolism in chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes, as well as in ageing. Her outstanding contribution as an investigator and mentor, as well as her advocacy for science in Latin America and its dissemination to the public, are an inspiration for young scientists.
LAUREATE FOR NORTH AMERICA
Professor Nada Jabado - Human genetics
Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, Canada Research Chair Tier 1 in Pediatric Oncology, McGill University, Canada
She is rewarded for revolutionizing our comprehension of the genetic defects responsible for aggressive pediatric brain tumours. Her seminal discovery of the first-ever histone mutations in human disease, referred to as oncohistones, has sparked a fundamental change in the cancer research sphere. Through her innovative research and effective leadership in establishing a global collaborative network, she has reshaped the medical approach to pediatric cancer, advancing both diagnostic capabilities and clinical treatments for young patients.
LAUREATE FOR EUROPE
Professor Geneviève Almouzni - Molecular biology
Director of Research from The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) at the Curie Institute, France
She is rewarded for her seminal contributions to understanding how DNA is packaged with proteins inside the cell nucleus. Her pioneering work in epigenetics has furthered our understanding of how cell identity is determined during normal development and disrupted by cancer. Her extraordinary successes in advancing research, training the next generation of scientists and promoting women in science are inspirational.
About Professor Nieng Yan
Asia and the Pacific, Structural biology
University Professor, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University; Founding President of Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation; Director of Shenzhen Bay Laboratory
Delivering insights that pave the way for new treatments
Professor Nieng Yan is awarded for paving the way to new health treatments by discovering the atomic structure of proteins that facilitate the transport of chemical substances, such as glucose and ions, across the cell membrane. Taking place through particular carriers and channels, this transport is essential to maintaining the effective functioning of cells. Any malfunction in this cross-membrane transport can lead to illness. She reveals the principles governing their behaviour using cryo-electron microscopy – a breakthrough technology that enables scientists to identify the physical and structural atomic form of membrane channels. In this way, Prof. Yan provides a molecular interpretation for ineffective functioning or mutations that can lead to pain or diseases such as epilepsy and arrhythmia. These insights also deliver a comprehensive view of how drugs or toxins act on the proteins in the body, while offering definitive clues to the development of novel therapeutics and drugs, such as non-addictive pain killers.
Pushing the boundaries of knowledge
“We aim to push the envelope of human knowledge,” she says. “Using pioneering technology, I have transformed my work from the exploration of physiological and cellular processes to achieve a more precise view of potentially effective health solutions. Ultimately, I’d like science to understand the universe, the origins of life and the basis of consciousness.”
In particular, she is exploring proteins called voltage-gated sodium channels, which control the firing of electrical signals in our body that allow us to respond rapidly to a wide range of stimuli. For these channels to function effectively and consistently, the channels open and close quickly. Prof. Nieng helped to establish this finding in 2017 using cryo-electron microscopy to highlight, in high resolution, the structure of a sodium channel isolated from electric eels. This observation will also enable scientists to see the active mechanism of medicines and toxic substances and develop pathways for new solutions.
“In structural biology, we always proudly say that seeing is believing,” she says. “Observing the structure at an atomic resolution allowed us to solve the puzzle immediately – I felt it was a miracle created by nature.”
Understanding that girls are good at science
As a child, Prof. Yan was inspired by a traditional Chinese mythical novel A Journey to the West, in which the main character transforms to any object of any size, wondering how the world would be at a sub-microscopic scale. Discovering the concept of Mendelian inheritance, which enables life to be coded and decoded in genetic material, further confirmed her passion for life sciences. She initially wanted to be a writer, but her real strength lay in chemistry and physics, and she was encouraged by her head teacher Ms Yi Guan, who “always told us that it was nonsense to say girls were not good at science.” She began her academic career at Tsinghua University, studying biology. Curious about discovering other cultures and ways of living, she subsequently applied for graduate programmes in the United States, without yet a clear idea about her future career.
At the Department of Molecular Biology of Princeton University, she discovered a nourishing work environment and explored programmed cell death, discovering a long-lasting and genuine interest in scientific exploration, with her PhD supervisor inspiring her to develop bold ambitions. “Gradually, I could not imagine myself not being as scientist,” she says. Eventually she returned to Tsinghua, where she enjoyed reliable funding and a good research environment, and could attract talented post-doctoral students. Throughout her career, Prof. Yan has benefitted significantly from the complementary expertise and different thinking styles brought by international collaborations.
Fighting for women’s rights in society
“We must change the historical and cultural bias against women in academia and society by establishing gender equality and creating more female role models to show that women can and do lead, and deserve fair recognition,” she explains.
Prof. Yan feels grateful for the consistent encouragement and support provided by her parents. However, she has had to fight for her female students to be given equal opportunities and take her place on scientific and leadership committees, frequently reminding her male colleagues to take gender equality into consideration. Highlighting stories of discriminatory behaviour has won her 1.3 million social media followers, providing a platform to influence aspiring young women scientists, to whom she says “be brave and be confident, and never shy to reach out for help.”
To continue the tradition of women scientists fighting for women to enter the scientific workplace, since 2015, she has organised an annual forum dedicated to women in science. “It is now my turn to create a similarly nurturing environment for young scholars, particularly women,” she says. She is also acting on this commitment within her own laboratory and beyond, gradually recruiting a greater number of female principal investigators and leading two research institutes where more than half of senior leaders are women.
