Nihon L'Oreal Co., Ltd., the Japanese subsidiary of the world's largest cosmetics company L'Oreal Group, announced four winners of the 2021th "L'Oreal-UNESCO Women's Scientist Japan Encouragement Award" in 16.
Goal 5 of the SDGs, “Achieving Gender Equality,” is a priority issue for Japan.In the field of science as well, the percentage of female researchers in Japan is 16.9%, which is the lowest in OECD countries, which is less than half that of Western countries.
As a world leader in beauty, L'Oréal supports the active participation of women on a global scale. Founded in collaboration with UNESCO.From past award winners, we have produced as many as five Nobel laureates.
In Japan, the "L'Oreal-UNESCO Women's Scientist Japan Encouragement Award" (sponsored by Japan L'Oreal) was established in 2005 with the cooperation of the Japanese National Commission for UNESCO.Past winners have received high praise both at home and abroad, including being selected for the "Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list – Class of 2020".For female scientists enrolled in or planning to enter the doctoral program in the two fields of material science or life science in Japan, two students (four in total) from each field are selected each year. Winners will receive a scholarship of 2 million yen.
The 2021 Loreal-UNESCO Women's Scientist Japan Encouragement Award reflects the modern scientific community, where research subjects are becoming more widespread and complex, from particle physics to material science, mathematics, and cell biology to plant physiology. Until then, there were applications from a wide range of research areas.
The two winners in the "material science" field are Yuki Okoda (2 years old) and Mariko Kadowaki (26 years old).Mr. Ooda was praised for his contribution to understanding the origin of the solar system, such as revealing that the newly born stars and planetary systems were born at the same time.Mr. Kadowaki clarified the relationship between the metallographic structure of carbon steel and corrosion resistance, and was evaluated for his contribution to high corrosion resistance.
In the field of "life science", Yuri Okubo (28 years old) and Rina Nagata (27 years old).Mr. Okubo was praised for his contribution to the production of plants that can be cultivated with less fertilizer by elucidating the mechanism by which plants efficiently absorb nitrogen nutrients from the soil.Mr. Nagata was praised for his contribution to cancer control and anti-aging medicine by elucidating the mechanism by which normal cells remove defective cells in vivo.
Among the four award winners, the judges evaluated that it is important to come into contact with many values and ways of thinking from a young age, such as studying abroad, joint research, and presentations at overseas academic conferences, leading to "freedom of thought." Received.
Winners * Age is as of November 11th
〇 Yuki Okoda (26 years old) Yamamoto Laboratory, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Photon Science Leading Graduate School (ALPS), Research Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science DC
〇Mariko Kadowaki (28 years old) Department of Intelligent Device Materials, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University Muto Laboratory (Research Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science DC1), April 2021 ~ National Institute for Materials Science, National Institute for Materials Science Researcher
〇Yuri Okubo (28 years old) Nagoya University Graduate School of Science Department of Life Sciences Cellular Signal Research Group, Research Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science DC1
〇Rina Nagata (27 years old) Igaki Laboratory, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Kyoto University Research Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science DC2 (at that time) April 2021 ~ Researcher at the same laboratory
L'Oréal Japan has started applying for the 2022 award from November 11th.The deadline is February 16, 2022 (Monday). The necessary documents will be sent by e-mail to the "Loreal-UNESCO Women's Scientist Japan Encouragement Award" secretariat.
