L'Oréal Announces 2021 For Women in Science Fellows

The 2021 L'Oréal USA For Women in Science Fellows
The 2021 L'Oréal USA For Women in Science Fellows

L'Oréal USA has announced its 2021 For Women in Science (FWIS) Fellows, an annual program supporting postdoctoral female scientists conducting research in various science and engineering fields. The five winners will receive $60,000 grants to advance their research, mentorship and career coaching.

Related: L'Oreal Announces 2020 For Women In Science Fellows

The FWIS program is the U.S. component of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards, a global program created in 1998 to recognize and reward female scientists.

Now in its 18th year, the U.S. FWIS Fellowship Program has recognized 90 postdoctoral female scientists and contributed more than $4.5 million in grants.

The candidates for the U.S. FWIS Fellowship Program are evaluated based on their intellectual merit, research potential, scientific excellence and commitment to supporting women in science. Each fellow is required to provide mentorship to the future generation of female scientists.

Applications were reviewed by experienced scientists in the candidates' respective fields through a partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which manages the application and peer-review process.

L'Oréal USA will recognize the 2021 FWIS Fellows with a slate of programming this week in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), National Academy of Sciences, the Girl Scouts of Greater New York and others.

The 2021 L'Oréal USA For Women in Science Fellows include:

Julie Butler, researcher in neurobiology at Stanford University. Her work focuses on how the brain develops, influences behavior and its role in caregiver and infant bonds.

Darcy McRose, researcher in microbiology and biogeochemistry at the California Institute of Technology. Her work focuses on studying microbes to better understand nutrient cycling, carbon storage and sustainable agricultural practices.

Brooke Osborne, researcher in biogeochemistry at the United States Geological Survey. Her work focuses on carbon and nutrient cycling in dryland ecosystems and how it will respond to pressure from a changing climate and land-use practices.

Brooke Russell, experimental particle physicist at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. Her work focuses on studying the neutrino, an abundant yet mysterious particle in the universe.

Lilia Xie, researcher in materials chemistry at the University of California Berkeley. Her work focuses on creating new materials at the atomic level to support next-generation technologies by processing and storing information more efficiently.

Stéphane Rinderknech, president and CEO of L'Oréal USA, says, "As a company deeply rooted in science, L'Oréal proudly recognizes and supports our 2021 For Women in Science Fellows who are pioneering research in their fields and serving as role models for the next generation of scientists. As the world has become increasingly aware of the importance of science in securing our collective future, we are more committed than ever to supporting women in science throughout the many stages of their career journeys." 

Russell says, "I'm honored to be recognized as a L'Oréal USA 2021 For Women in Science Fellow. This fellowship is a game-changer in that it will allow me to continue my research and put me at a competitive advantage moving forward. Beyond the support the fellowship will provide me, I'm even more humbled by the opportunity to show other women what's possible when they reach for their dreams. Mentorship has played an important role in my career path, and I'm thrilled to give back."

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