The National L’Oréal – UNESCO Program ‘For Women in Science’ Celebrates Its Coming of Age, Four New Awardees Selected

L’Oréal Adria and the Croatian Commission for UNESCO at the Ministry of Culture and Media, under the auspices of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, have awarded four young female scientists in the field of natural sciences, including interdisciplinary areas, individual awards worth five thousand euros for the 18th consecutive year. The award ceremony was held for the first time under the roof of the oldest Croatian theater institution – the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb.

– “The National Program ‘For Women in Science’ organized by L’Oréal Adria and the Croatian Commission for UNESCO at the Ministry of Culture and Media is unique in its propositions and criteria. It is a great honor and pleasure for me to be the president of the Selection Committee composed of renowned scientists from various fields. The demanding task of selecting four awardees was carried out according to the strictest international criteria for selection in scientific knowledge. This award has gained great prestige in the Croatian scientific community. Two-thirds of students in Croatia are now women, and over 50 percent of doctoral degrees are awarded to women. However, despite this, women are still less involved in scientific research projects and in bodies where strategic decisions are made. This award has an important symbolic role as the awarded individuals serve as role models, encouragement, and a message about changing traditional prejudices regarding women’s inclinations towards certain professions. This is particularly important because we are still not aware of how much science and education influence the development of society as a whole. Besides congratulating the awardees, I would also like to congratulate their families, mentors, and the institutions they work for,” emphasized academician Zvonko Kusić, president of the Program’s Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee, led by academician Zvonko Kusić and esteemed members of the Croatian academic community, including academician Vida Demarin, academician Krešimir Nemec, Prof. Dr. Helena Jasna Mencer, Prof. Dr. Đurđica Ugarković, Dr. Katica Biljaković, Prof. Dr. Marica Ivanković, Prof. Dr. Leandra Vranješ Markić, and Prof. Dr. Zrinka Ljubešić, along with new member academician Goran Durn, selected this year’s awardees from among 60 submitted applications.

– “It is an exceptional honor for me to participate in a double celebration, celebrating our new awardees and the coming of age of the National L’Oréal – UNESCO ‘For Women in Science’ program. Together with our partner, the Croatian Commission for UNESCO at the Ministry of Culture and Media, and all previous members of the Committee, we pay tribute to exceptional young female scientists. It is now clearer than ever that women in science contribute to the development of new knowledge and address global challenges such as climate change, health, sustainable development, and topics like space exploration, as demonstrated by today’s and previous awardees,” emphasized Irena Šarić Dombaj, a member of the Management Board and Director of Corporate Communications at L’Oréal Adria Balkan, during the award ceremony.

One of the four awardees this year is mag. biotech. in med. Valentina Štimac.

– “It is a great honor for me to be one of the awardees of this recognition, which I received for my scientific work, but also for all the effort I have put in over the past years. None of this would have been possible without my family, mentor, colleagues, and friends, and I would like to emphasize that this recognition is also a result of the support from those who believed in me. In my work, I study various mechanisms during cell division that, if they do not function properly, can lead to the emergence of malignant changes. Therefore, I am very glad that the Committee recognized the importance of such research for the entire science. This recognition is a great encouragement for my further scientific advancement and proof that effort is recognized at the end of the day, and I would like to encourage all young female scientists to believe in themselves and in what they do. This success is an inspiration for me to continue with the same enthusiasm in future research,” Štimac stated on this occasion.

Since 2006, the National L’Oréal – UNESCO ‘For Women in Science’ program has awarded 70 Croatian female scientists in the final stages of their doctoral dissertations. The program represents recognition for young female scientists for their dedicated effort and work, highlighting the importance of women in science and society, while also encouraging and motivating them to continue their careers in science. This long-term partnership between a multinational corporation like L’Oréal and the United Nations organization gathers an increasing number of extraordinary young female scientists year after year.