Empowering Women in Science: The Impact of the L’Oréal – UNESCO National Prize in Argentina

The role of brilliant female minds in the incessant advancement of science became today, with the delivery of the 17th L’Oréal – UNESCO National Prize “For Women in Science”, carried out in collaboration with CONICET (National Council of Scientific and Technical Research), in the dream recognition for six Argentine scientists who not only face the “glass ceilings” imposed by the gender gap, but who put all their knowledge to provide a response to the events that afflict the world whole.

Those who obtained the highest awards faced, with science as their main tool, the global pandemic that paralyzed the world, and sought to provide better therapies against the tumor that causes the most deaths in women, breast cancer. They are Juliana Cassataro, winner in the Award category and the first scientist to create a completely Argentine vaccine, and Mónica García, winner in the Scholarship category and responsible for the search for better oncological treatments through nanomedicine.

Along with them, Ana María Laxalt and Gabriela Alejandra Salvador were also recognized with mentions in the Award category, and in the Scholarship category, María Julia Lamberti and Melisa Olave. In each of their specialties, each of these scientists seeks to promote solutions to the problems that affect humanity.

Juliana Cassataro, together with Karina Pasquevich and Lorena Coria, leader and part of the team that headed the project that ended with the first vaccine made 100% in Argentina

Their fair recognition, before an audience filled with admiration for their progress and achievements, took place this Wednesday at the C3 of the City of Buenos Aires, where the 6 winners in the 17th Argentine edition became an example of the tireless work they do. women scientists by society, as well as a source of inspiration to promote female participation and leadership in STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Juliana Cassataro is none other than the maker of the first Argentine vaccine. She led a team, now totaling 500 scientists, that achieved a historic milestone for the country by becoming part of the solution to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. Each step was a challenge that she faced as only the greatest minds in science do: surrounded by the highest quality experts and with unwavering strength and determination.

Their project became a disruptive and successful event: the creation, research and production of the Arvac – Cecilia Grierson COVID vaccine, together with the Pablo Cassará Laboratory and Foundation, led by Jorge Cassará. An adjuvanted recombinant vaccine for boosters, which can be adapted to new variants against COVID-19 and is stored at temperatures between 2° and 8°C.

Mónica García, in 2011, began as a CONICET Doctoral Scholar, entered the research career in 2020 as an Associate Researcher and in 2013 she completed a Specialization in University Teaching at the UTN

This new development was born at the Biotechnology Research Institute (School of Bio and Nanotechnologies, National University of San Martín, IIBIO CONICET), and can currently be applied in the arms of thousands of Argentines and could be exported to other countries.

Monica Cristina García, the winner in the Scholarship category, is a strong and determined young scientist who dedicates her effort and knowledge to the study of breast cancer, a disease that affects 2.3 million women in the world annually, of which about 685,000 die, according to the latest data from the OMS. The Doctor in Chemical Sciences from the University seeks to enhance, through nanomedicine, the treatments that are already revolutionizing medicine.

“This is an award that has recognized women that one admires for years. And, although only women can apply, there are so many of us that it is more difficult to win this award. Therefore, it is a joy to have come this far and to have the same thing happen to me that I have seen in other researchers,” she confessed to Infobae Cassataro days before receiving the distinction.

Cassataro has a degree in Biological Sciences from the National University of Mar del Plata and a PhD in Immunology from the University of Buenos Aires. Today, she directs the research group on Immunology, infectious diseases and vaccine development at the Biotechnology Research Institute (IIBIO CONICET-EByN UNSAM) San Martín, Argentina

García completed: “The fact that it is evaluated by peers who recognize what we are doing is like pampering the soul. Because in a certain way it is an encouragement to continue, it says that you are on the right path. I believe that this L’Oréal-UNESCO award for Women in Science provides a differential aspect: making visible the role of women in science, which is often a little blurred or overshadowed by the stereotypes that are still present. Many times, women with a lot of effort seek to leave their mark, which is why it is a huge emotion to receive it.”

As both explained, and from the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award itself they reaffirm, it is necessary to reverse certain facts and encourage women to get involved and society to recognize their scientific achievements. The numbers speak for themselves: At the end of the 1990s, there were only 25% of women scientists worldwide. In 2014, this percentage rose to 30%, and currently, although it continues to increase, it has barely reached 33%, according to a UNESCO report.

In 2020, Mónica was mentioned in the SCHOLARSHIP category in the “For Women in Science” Program, for her project “Hybrid nanostructured and bioresponsive materials to optimize the therapeutic action of antitumor drugs”

The L’Oréal-UNESCO award, which in its latest international version recognized Katalin Karikó (who is now deserving of the Nobel Prize in Medicine) seeks to counteract this invisibility since it highlights the persistence, confidence and patience that women scientists have maintained, despite despite the difficulties faced in his career.

Furthermore, the award has the firm objective of rescuing the name of the awarded scientists, extolling how their findings modify the rules of the scientific field and pave the way for future generations of women; The award recognizes both the discoveries that have had an impact on society and the arduous process that leads to these advances. All additions that become catalysts for greater gender equality in STEM areas and an incentive for a greater female presence in leadership positions within the scientific field.

L’Oréal Award 2023 – Mónica Cristina García

During the awards ceremony, García indicated: “It is a great emotion and a great honor for me to receive this distinction, I feel very honored to be in this place that women who have fought tirelessly to break barriers and will continue to pass. leave your mark in this universe of sciences. And at the same time I feel a great responsibility because this award, hopefully, serves as an inspiration so that more girls, adolescents and young people are encouraged to undertake this wonderful path of science.”

“This award is an honor,” Cassataro began upon receiving his award. In that sense, he mentioned “three brilliant women: Laura Bruno, Karina Pasquevich and Lorena Coria. We are one and this award belongs entirely to them. I thank you for dedicating yourself to this project and all my proposals. Your generosity and dedication is truly beautiful. Also, to my entire team, who worked during the pandemic.”

L’Oréal Award 2023 – Juliana Cassataro

“The truth is that I believe we have a long way to go and many preconceptions, both our own and those of others, to break to truly reach equality in terms of decision-making positions and leadership positions. In any case, I believe that we have to open our own paths, doing as much as we can and want as women, taking blame for what we did not do or could not do, making decisions with love and without victimizing ourselves and always knowing that if we want to be In that place, we have to occupy it, without more contractions,” Cassataro highlighted.

And he continued: “An example is that now very soon we will be able to get a booster shot of the COVID vaccine entirely produced in Argentina, without having to spend foreign currency, with what that means for our country at this time.” “I am convinced that Argentina has all the capacity to continue developing technologies and hopefully as a country we can reach consensus and long-term policies that allow the development of common strategic projects,” concluded Cassataro.

2023-11-22 21:38:44
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