L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science Honors Six Outstanding Researchers from the Levant

Under the theme "The world needs science, and science needs women," the L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" program honored six outstanding young researchers from the Levant at its eleventh edition. The ceremony took place at the Middle East Airlines Training Center in Beirut on Thursday, February 13, 2025, under the high patronage and in the presence of Mr. Ziad Makary, Former Minister of Information.

Selected from among a hundred candidates, these young scientists embody the strength of women in science in the Levant region. Representing a wide range of disciplines, from psychology to molecular biology, they demonstrate their ability to overcome the specific challenges of the region. Hailing from Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, and Palestine, these researchers demonstrate the essential role of women in scientific progress and inspire future generations to build a better future.

During the ceremony, Mr. Ziad Makary emphasized: "Today, we celebrate an elite of female talent among the brightest in the Levant. The L'Oréal-UNESCO 'For Women in Science' award highlights the vital role of women in advancing science in our Arab region. It’s is a crucial platform for fostering innovation to address the challenges facing our societies. I would especially like to commend the recurring success of young Lebanese researchers in this program, which demonstrates, despite the exceptional difficulties that Lebanon is going through, the resilience and excellence of Lebanese women. It also demonstrates that Lebanon, with its ambitious talents, is able to overcome crises and remain at the forefront in many fields. This award is not just a recognition but an investment in the bright future of our region and a beacon of hope for a new generation of remarkable women scientists."

The Levant program is part of the global L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" initiative, launched by the L'Oréal Foundation in partnership with UNESCO in 1998, based on the firm belief that "the world needs science, and science needs women." Over the past 26 years, the program has honored more than 4,400 distinguished female researchers and 132 global laureates across more than 140 countries. Notably, seven of these 132 laureates have been awarded the Nobel Prize over the years.

Launched in Lebanon in 2014 in partnership with the National Council for Scientific Research, this program aims to enhance the status of Arab women scientists from the Levant and recognize their fundamental role in contributing to the region's development. The program also aims to encourage female researchers to become role models, inspiring the rising generations of Arab women scientists, particularly those hesitant to pursue scientific research as a career. Since its inception, the program has supported more than 60 young female researchers at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels. By recognizing, promoting, and encouraging exceptional young women in their scientific careers, the program strives to promote the representation of women in science and strengthen their participation in leadership and decision-making roles.

During the ceremony, Emilie Wahab Harb, Managing Director of L'Oréal Liban, congratulated the winners, stating: 'In a Levant facing profound challenges, these young scientists are a beacon of hope. Their exceptional talent, often unseen, is crucial for our future. Just as the Paris 2024 Olympics embraces achieved gender parity, science too must embrace equality. The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program goes beyond simply recognizing talent; it invests in resilience, empowering women scientists to overcome obstacles and drive innovation, not just for the Levant, but for the entire world.' She concluded by affirming, 'This isn't a reflection of ability, but of opportunity. We won't rest until gender is a source of strength, not a barrier, in science.'

From her end, H.E. Dr. Tamara El Zein, Minister of Environment and former Secretary-General of the National Council for Scientific Research and Head of the Jury, highlighted: "Analyzing women's reality in science should not be confined to the quantitative indicators of female participation in scientific research. It must transcend these metrics to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between women’s withdrawal from scientific human capital and the potential to access the full breadth of knowledge embedded in science, as well as the outcomes of research in terms of inclusivity and impact on the entire society. Above all, we must avoid getting lost in mere statistics, for the issue of equality is not one of numbers, but a matter of fundamental human rights.”

The ceremony, hosted by journalist Raneem Bou Khzam, welcomed more than 300 attendees, including diplomatic, social, and economic figures, as well as representatives from academic, scientific, and research institutions, members of non-governmental organizations s, journalists and media professionals, in addition to L'Oréal Lebanon team and partners.

About the 2025 Winners:

Six promising young researchers were selected from among a hundred applications for this edition. Highlighting these women through the program and the belief that they constitute a role model for many generations ensures a promising future for science in the region and in the world.

Postdoctoral Researchers:

1. Dr. Myriam El Khoury (Lebanon): Associate professor of psychology at the Lebanese American University (LAU), recognized for her research on the distinct neural pathways of post-traumatic stress versus post-traumatic growth, five years after the Beirut Port explosion.

2. Dr. Ahlam Zaid AlKilani (Jordan): Associate Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Zarqa University, honored for her pioneering research on developing and characterizing transdermal nano-particle delivery systems for Meloxicam, offering an innovative alternative to traditional drug administration methods.

3. Dr. Hezha Rasul (Iraq): Assistant Professor and Director of International Academic Relations at the University of Charmo, recognized for her decade-long research on discovering novel plant-based molecules for breast cancer treatment.

PhD Candidates:

1. Dr. Rim Bourgi (Lebanon): Instructor in Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry at Saint-Joseph University (USJ), awarded for her research on the impact of various application techniques and warm air evaporation on the bonding efficiency of four dental adhesive systems.

2. Mrs. Amani Audi (Palestine): PhD student in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the American University of Beirut (AUB), honored for her research on characterizing the immune defense mechanisms utilized by the African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae against microbes to identify novel malaria-resistant genes.

3. Ms. Raneem Ismail AlKhaleel (Syria): PhD student in Molecular Biology at the University of Mysore, India, recognized for her research on the anti-inflammatory properties of secondary metabolites from various plant species.