L`Oréal, in collaboration with the Baltic Academies of Sciences and the UNESCO National Commissions, awarded seven talented female scientists in the prestigious Baltic Young Talent Programme for Women in Science. In Latvia, this year, the prize for her contribution to science and a research award of 7,000 euros goes to PhD student M.sc.ing. Katrīna Laganovska, PhD student M.sc.biol. Cristina Bajo Santos and Dr.chem. Liene Grigorjeva.
"I would like to thank the juries of the three Baltic Academies of Sciences for their hard work in evaluating the scientific activity and excellence of the young researchers selected for the award. I am very happy for these great women and scientists whose passion and work will inspire girls in schools and universities to pursue their goals for the common good of society - the health of people and the environment.
I am sure it will also remind everyone of the important role of science and the contribution of our women scientists. I wish all women scientists - both young and experienced - success in their scientific work and happiness in their personal lives," congratulated the President of the Republic of Latvia (1999-2007), patron of the Baltic Young Talent Programme for Women in Science, Academician Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga.
Doctoral student M.sc.ing. Katrīna Laganovska is a researcher at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia. She is supported by a project on the study of optical properties and defects in segnetoelectric metal oxides. This will allow further research on segnetoelectric field-effect transistors which, if successful and scalable, could be used in the next generation of computers, opening the door to a completely new computer architecture.
PhD student M.sc.biol. Kristina Baho Santos is a researcher at the Latvian Centre for Biomedical Research and Studies. She is supported to develop a new, non-invasive method for the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of prostate cancer. It will provide faster and easier data on the presence of tumour-secreted RNA-type biomarkers in men's urine and blood plasma samples. This approach is expected to contribute to the early diagnosis of prostate cancer and reduce prostate cancer mortality.
On the other hand, Dr. chem. Liene Grigorjeva is a senior researcher at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. Her research develops methods for the production of organic substances using environmentally and human-friendly and inexpensive catalysts, thus enabling the rapid and convenient production of a variety of valuable compounds. The innovative methodology will not only facilitate the production of already known valuable compounds, such as medicines, but will also expand the possibilities for chemists to discover new, previously unexplored substances.
"36 young women scientists from Latvia - 17 PhDs and 19 post-docs - applied for the programme, submitting high-quality research projects. This year, the award went to women in physics and materials science, as well as chemistry and molecular biology. Their research is in line with Latvia's priority directions in science and will serve as a basis for the development of promising scientific directions, as well as encourage young women to develop their careers in science," said Ivars Kalviņš, President of the Latvian Academy of Sciences.
Since 2005, when the programme was introduced in Latvia, 57 female scientists from Latvia have received recognition for their contribution to science. For the seventh consecutive year, the programme has also been implemented in Estonia and Lithuania, where twelve scientists have been awarded for their scientific achievements in each country.
The Women in Science programme in Latvia was established 19 years ago by the patron of the programme, Dr Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga (President of Latvia from 1999 to 2007). L`Oréal is currently implementing the Women in Science programme in cooperation with the Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian Academies of Sciences and the UNESCO National Commissions.
"We are delighted that the Women in Science programme has become a major event in Baltic science and a platform for young women scientists to work together through successful partnerships. It promotes transnational interaction in the development of science and contributes to the well-being of society in the long term," said Baiba Moļņika, Secretary General of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO.
The International Programme for Women in Science was launched in 1998. Since then, L`Oréal and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have been committed to increasing the number of women working in scientific research. Over the last 25 years, L`Oréal and UNESCO's Women in Science programme have therefore supported women scientists at crucial stages in their careers, making an important contribution to the advancement of science and promoting gender equality in science.
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