Nature Research, Estée Lauder Announce Award Winners

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The first winners of the Nature Research Awards for Inspiring Science and Innovating Science, held in partnership with The Estée Lauder Companies, have been announced.

The awards recognize both inspirational and early-career female researchers, as well as those who have worked to champion women and girls in science. Winners were selected by two independent judging panels, consisting of staff from Nature Research, academic scientists and external experts working in organizations supporting access to science for women and The Estée Lauder Companies.

Mirjana Pović, an astrophysicist, assistant professor at the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute and associate researcher at the Spanish IAA-CSIC, received the Award for Inspiring Science.

Related: Nature and Estée Lauder to Honor Up-and-coming Female Researchers

“I am delighted to be the recipient of the very first Nature Research Award for Inspiring Science,” said Pović. “Having been personally inspired by many outstanding women in science, to have the opportunity to now inspire others is a real privilege and one that I look forward to continuing to pursue, especially in relation to my current work in Africa.

"I also hope that with this award we can inspire many other colleagues, men and women, to contribute their knowledge and experience to the development of science and education in Africa—and ultimately, to the long-term fight against poverty.”

The Association of Hungarian Women in Science received the Award for Innovating Science. The non-profit, non-governmental organization aims to promote STEM and computer sciences among girls who are under-represented in those fields.

“Receiving the Nature Research Award for Innovating Science for our work to encourage girls and young women to enter STEM fields is a real honor,” said Fenni Szigeti of the Association of Hungarian Women in Science.

“It goes to the heart of our mission and our commitment to promoting the need for a greater gender balance in academia, technology, innovation and research and development. On behalf of our entire team, I am extremely proud that this commitment has been recognized."

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