KENYAN FETED FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE AWARD

Peggoty Mutai, a Kenyan PhD student in Medicinal Chemistry was recently feted during the prestigious 14th Ceremony for the L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science in France. 

The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards Ceremony, presided by Professor Günter Blobel, Nobel Prize in Medicine 1999, took place last night at UNESCO headquarters. Five exceptional women scientists who contribute to resolving major global challenges were distinguished by the awards, presented by Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO and Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation. 

The 2012 Laureates and International Fellows gathered on stage after a week dedicated to exciting scientific exchanges. 

Peggoty was one of four African women who were appreciated during the award.

Managing Director of L'Oreal East Africa Limited Patricia Ithau extended her congratulatory message to Peggoty, saying that her efforts would go a long way in motivating younger girls into the field of science in Kenya.

Since 1998, the L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards have recognized 72 Laureates, exceptional women who have made great advances in scientific research. Two of them have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize: In 2009, Professors Elizabeth Blackburn and Ada Yonath, both 2008 Laureates of the L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science, were awarded the Nobel Prizes, in Medicine and Chemistry respectively. 

Over the past 14 years, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science partnership has created a community of more than 1250 women scientists in 106 countries. 

The For Women in Science Award programme permits nominees to pursue their research in institutions at home or abroad. The programme has become a benchmark of scientific excellence on an international scale. 

“My dream is to see an effective, affordable anthelmintic drug in the market in the future. The skills I will acquire in McGill will be passed on to my colleagues and students at the University of Nairobi,” says Peggoty.