UNESCO and L’Oréal honour two winners of the 2024 For Women in Science Chile Award

As a way to highlight the contributions of women in science and encourage their participation in the sector, UNESCO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the L'Oréal Group announced the winners of the 2024 For Women in Science Chile Award (FWiS). This year, the award recognised the research of two Chilean scientists currently pursuing their doctoral and postdoctoral studies.

In its 17th edition in Chile, the award was granted to Valeria Bravo, an industrial designer from the University of Talca, with a master's degree in Ergonomics from the University of Concepción and in Design from the University of Girona, Spain, who is currently undertaking her PhD in Engineering Systems. It was also awarded to Lucía Villar, a graduate in Oceanography from the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, with a PhD in Natural Sciences from the Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Germany, who is now completing her postdoctoral research in Earth Sciences at the University of Chile.

Since its inception, FWiS has become one of the most prestigious international awards for advancing science, showcasing the role of women, and inspiring future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). As of 2024, it has recognised over 4,000 women worldwide, including seven Nobel Prize winners.

This year, Chile's National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) joined as a strategic partner of the award, playing a key role in the nomination and evaluation process for the candidates.

Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasised: "The gender gap in science remains a global challenge. Only 30% of researchers are women, and their participation in fields like engineering and artificial intelligence is even lower. Girls and women face stereotypes that limit their access to STEM education, and often their work does not receive the recognition it deserves. At UNESCO, together with the L'Oréal Group, we are committed to making their impact visible and promoting inclusive STEM education so that women can take their rightful place in scientific advancement."

Meanwhile, Magdalena Zapata, Managing Director of L'Oréal Group in Chile, remarked, "As a company, we are convinced that the world needs science, and science needs women. That's why we are committed to empowering female scientists and collaborating with organisations to transform the world of science. For 26 years, we have been driving this initiative, which empowers female scientists across five continents and, at the same time, inspires others to follow their example."

Alejandra Pizarro, National Director of ANID, highlighted the agency's contribution to this year's programme: "Participating in this initiative led by L'Oréal, which highlights the work of women in research, is also part of ANID's commitment to a more diverse science, because we are convinced of the fundamental contribution made by our female scientists. This year, we aimed to be more actively involved, providing our platforms for the application process, which had a positive impact on those participating in the competition."

Luis Chavarría Garrido, representative of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile, which has supported the award since 2023, added, "The advancement of women in science has been a priority for ESO. We have implemented internal policies and promoted initiatives to drive change both within and outside the organisation. This award is part of this journey, and we congratulate the winners for their significant contributions in their fields of study."

About the 2024 For Women in Science Chile Award Winners

Valeria Bravo Carrasco has focused much of her research on ergonomics, anthropometric studies of the elderly population in Chile, and materials and textile energy engineering. Her doctoral thesis project aims to improve the mobility and quality of life of older adults through a "smart sleeve," a device that uses vibrations to promote motor activity in the elderly.

Throughout her career, she has taught at various universities and led research projects funded by Chile's Scientific and Technological Development Fund (FONDEF). She has also published studies on ergonomic risks in hospital settings and in driving. Currently, she is the director of Ergo Maule, a consultancy dedicated to improving workplace conditions through ergonomics.

Lucía Villar Muñoz is an expert in geology, marine geophysics, and oceanic mineral resource exploration. Her doctoral thesis focuses on estimating the total volume of methane gas stored as hydrate in the sediments of central Chile and identifying current seepages and potential methane release areas in the deep ocean driven by global warming.

Over the course of her career, she has participated in various international scientific expeditions and collaborated with institutions such as the University of Chile and the Schmidt Ocean Institute to study methane gas seepages and their effects on climate change.

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