The Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO recently announced the five laureates of the 2025 L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards, recognizing outstanding women scientists for their groundbreaking research in physical sciences, mathematics and computer science.
This year’s awards were presented at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, celebrating achievements in fields ranging from cryptography and particle physics to green energy and environmental science. The laureates were selected from 466 candidates worldwide through a rigorous evaluation by an independent jury led by Fields Medalist Professor Artur Avila.
These annual awards honor five scientists, each representing a major world region— Africa and the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America — highlighting the global impact of women’s contributions to science.
Meet the 2025 Laureates
Africa and the Arab States
Prof. Priscilla Baker, Analytical Chemistry
University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Recognized for developing ultra-sensitive electrochemical sensors to detect environmental contaminants, with applications in health, energy, food and pharmaceuticals. She is also a committed mentor to early-career scientists in her field.
Asia and the Pacific
Prof. Xiaoyun Wang, Cryptography and Applied Mathematics
Tsinghua University, China
Honored for major advances in cryptographic security, including identifying vulnerabilities in hash functions and helping develop new global encryption standards widely used in digital communications and finance.
Europe
Prof. Claudia Felser, Condensed Matter Physics
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Germany
Celebrated for pioneering research on magnetic materials and topological quantum chemistry, contributing to the advancement of green energy technologies and data storage systems.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Prof. Maria Teresa Dova, Particle and Fields Physics
National University of La Plata & CONICET, Argentina
Acknowledged for her leadership in high-energy physics, including contributions to the discovery of the Higgs boson and cosmic ray research, elevating Argentina’s role in global experimental physics.
North America
Prof. Barbara Finlayson-Pitts, Environmental Science
University of California, Irvine, USA
Lauded for uncovering fundamental mechanisms in air pollution formation and influencing public policy on atmospheric chemistry. A passionate educator, she has mentored generations of scientists.
27 Years of Promoting Women in Science
Despite progress, women still represent only about 31% of researchers globally, per UNESCO. Since its launch in 1998, the L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Program has supported more than 4,700 female scientists, including 137 international laureates — seven of whom later earned Nobel Prizes.
“In a world facing unprecedented challenges — climate change, health crises, digital security — science is more essential than ever. And at the heart of this urgency, we need women. For 27 years, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has supported talented women who contribute to solving the greatest challenges of our time,” said Pauline Avenel, Executive Director of the Fondation L’Oréal.
Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, added: “We believe that joining forces with our partners to empower women in science is key to build a sustainable future and addressing the complex challenges facing our world. The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme provides women scientists with the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserve”
