Leadership Course on Intellectual Property, Science and Innovation for Women Scientists and Innovators

Ms. Baker is awarded for her outstanding contribution in the field of highly sensitive electrochemical microsensors for detecting contaminants in the environment, with applications in pharmaceuticals, food, health and energy. Ms. Baker's dedication as a mentor in analytical electrochemistry has empowered students and earlycareer scientists to undertake innovative research projects in this field.

Chase your greatness with fierce dedication, unstoppable passion; and a kindness that inspires others to do the same.

Ms. Dova is awarded for her key contributions to high energy physics including the discovery and characterization of the Higgs boson, the search for new physics, and her remarkable work in the study of cosmic ray physics. Her leadership in the field and her exceptional dedication to mentoring young scientists have inspired a new generation and led Argentina to play a major role in experimental physics worldwide.

Science -the search for knowledge- belongs to all humanity; women’s voices and visions are essential to this collective journey.

Ms. Candreva is an Associate Professor of Inorganic Chemistry I and Technology Transfer at the National University of La Plata (UNLP), Argentina. She acts as the Liaison Support Professional at the Institute of Physics (IFLP, CONICET-UNLP). Her work focuses on linking science with technology transfer to drive innovation, and she has published widely while representing her institution in national and international cooperation initiatives.

Convinced of its transformative power, I believe science can shape a world of peace, inclusion, and strengthen communities.

Ms. Cupido is a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head of Chemistry at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. Her research on the conduction of polymer nanocomposites for electrochemical sensors aims to monitor drug metabolism in tuberculosis, COVID-19, and cancer treatments. She is a member of the South African Young Academy of Science and a 2014 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Fellow.

As a woman in chemistry, I’m committed to not only advancing science but also using it to empower and uplift the next generation of women innovators.

Ms. Chemaitelly is an Assistant Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. Her research focuses on the epidemiology of respiratory infections, particularly COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus, and she is an expert in vaccine effectiveness studies. She has also made extensive contributions to understanding HIV, bacterial and viral sexually transmitted infections, and viral hepatitis. Dr. Chemaitelly has authored over 160 research studies, many published in leading journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, JAMA, Nature Medicine, and Lancet.

Scientific knowledge is most powerful when it drives action—shaping policies, guiding interventions, and improving health outcomes.

Ms. Cherenet is a PhD candidate specializing in infection biology at Addis Ababa University. Her research focuses on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of helminthic infections and their common symptoms. Passionate about bridging traditional medicine and modern science, Ms. Cherenet has been recognized for her work on advancing accessible healthcare solutions and promoting women's leadership in scientific research across Africa.

Science is a path to healing and empowerment, especially when rooted in local knowledge and global collaboration.

Ms. Ji Young Hwang is an immunologist at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology. Her work explores immune response mechanisms across diverse diseases through interdisciplinary research, bridging academia and industry. She focuses on translational immunology and is advancing the development of immune cell therapies for cancer patients.

Ms. Nausheen Jaffur is a postdoctoral researcher at Yonsei University, South Korea, specializing in sustainable biopolymer production and phosphorus recovery from waste streams. Her work advances waste-to-resource strategies for a circular economy, contributes to biodegradable plastics, microbial fermentation, and vivianite crystallization. She has published widely and is active in mentoring women in STEM, in education reform in Sub-Saharan Africa, and consulting for UN Environmental Program and the Mauritius Ministry of Environment on plastic-free strategies.

Science changes the world when it transforms lives, moving beyond the boundaries of discovery into meaningful action. My mission is to reimagine waste as a resource, to pioneer sustainable technologies that close the loop in our economies and to empower women in STEM to lead boldly in shaping solutions that protect people, nurture communities, and safeguard our planet for generations to come.

Ms. Sojeong Lee is a postdoctoral researcher at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, specializing in nanomaterials and biomedical diagnostics. She has developed innovative platforms for the early detection of cancer and infectious diseases, with research published in leading journals. Recognized with national awards and fellowships, she is advancing the translation of advanced nanotechnology into practical tools that improve the accessibility and effectiveness of healthcare.

Ms. Sunyoung Lee is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Radiology at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine. A specialist in diagnostic and prognostic abdominal imaging, particularly hepatobiliary malignancies. Her achievements have been recognized by the Young Investigator Award from the Korea Federation of Women's Science & Technology Associations in 2021, the Korean L'Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship in 2022, and the Daewoong Foundation Award in 2024.

Ms. You Mie Lee is a Professor of Pharmacy at Kyungpook National University, where she also serves as Director of the Vessel-Organ Interaction Research Center (VOICE, MRC). She has held leadership roles as Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Vice President for International Affairs, and is currently President of the Korean Society of Vascular Biology and Medicine. Her research on angiogenesis, hypoxia, and vascular–immune crosstalk has resulted in more than 130 publications, five U.S. patents, and recognition through major national awards.

Ms. Lobine is a bioscientist specializing in ethnopharmacology and drug discovery for noncommunicable diseases, with a focus on medicinal plants for Alzheimer’s disease. At the Mauritius Institute of Biotechnology, she is advancing the country’s biopharmaceutical hub. She is active in scientific leadership and policy through the Global Young Academy, the National Committee of Science Diplomacy, and International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA-Africa) and leads the Global Indigenous Youth Summit on Climate Change to empower Indigenous youth in climate action.

By supporting women to lead at the forefront of science, we disrupt limits, innovate and unlock bold ideas that pave the way for transformational change across generations.

Ms. Moirana is a postdoctoral fellow in Material Science at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) and a lecturer in its School of Materials, Energy, Water, and Environmental Sciences. Her research develops seaweed-based bioremedial fertilizers to restore fluoridecontaminated soils in northern Tanzania, improving soil health, preventing erosion and chemical leaching, and reducing fluoride in the food chain.

Women have a talent for transforming local resources into simple yet effective solutions. Just as they use spices to create meals that their children cherish for a lifetime, involving them in science and decision making can help harness this talent to provide effective solutions to the world's most pressing challenges.

Ms. Ngonyani is an environmentalist and a Ph.D. scholar at Bayero University, Nigeria. Her studies focus on transboundary water governance in the Mara River basin through the integration of indigenous knowledge and scientific models. She is the founder and executive director of Girls Education for Climate Action (GECA) with experience in water, natural resource management, and climate change, working with various regional and international organizations and also the African Wildlife Foundation.

Science empowers women to transform curiosity into impact and research into solutions, amplifying their voices, unleashing potential, and driving lasting change in communities.

Ms. Ojueromi is a food and nutritional biochemist, lecturer, and research facilitator at Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan in Nigeria. Her research spans functional foods, nutraceuticals, phytomedicine, and molecular biology, with a focus on therapeutic strategies for infectious and degenerative diseases. She is a co-inventor of patented innovations including an antidiabetic gelato, antimalarial immuneboosting macaroon, and antihyperglycemic noodles.

Transforming functional foods into therapeutic innovations and mentoring future scientists to advance science through interdisciplinary excellence.

Ms. Othman conducts research on nanomaterial-based photocatalysts for the solar-driven conversion of CO₂ into sustainable fuels. Her Ph.D. work at Khalifa University focuses on engineering quantum dot nanocomposites that harness sunlight to transform greenhouse gases into clean energy, advancing renewable energy technologies and climate change mitigation. She integrates material synthesis, advanced characterization, and synchrotronbased techniques to optimize photocatalytic performance. As President of the American Chemical Society Student Chapter at Khalifa University, she fosters student engagement with the global chemistry community while mentoring earlycareer researchers and promoting gender equity in STEM.

A mentor once told me, ‘Every time you get rejected, aim higher.’ That advice reshaped my journey as a woman in science — unless we try, we’ll never know, and if we don’t aim high, we’ll never grow.

Ms. Rowe is recognized for her research on using metagenomics to develop eco-friendly biocontrol agroproducts to combat Ginger Rhizome Rot Disease. Her work aims to improve the livelihoods of rural farmers by reducing production costs and postharvest losses while enhancing the quality of produce for consumers. She played a key role in safeguarding germplasm through the in vitro conservation of Jamaican ginger cultivars and other plant species.

It is important to actively engage women in science in society and provide them with more resources and opportunities to contribute to science by using their transformative abilities to lead research teams to new discoveries. With adequate support, women can be empowered to be confident and creative with authenticity, to be more innovative without limits and to share their knowledge with future generations.

Ms. Tamuhla is a postdoctoral research fellow at the South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape. Her work explores how genomic and health data can be used to better address type 2 diabetes and other diseases in African populations. Passionate about equitable data sharing, she develops tools and strategies that make genomic research more inclusive and sustainable in resourcelimited settings. She works across disciplines, connecting research with real-world health impact.

Be inspired by the audacity of your dreams.

Ms. Wikandari is an Associate Professor at Universitas Gadjah Mada whose research develops sustainable and nutritious foods from filamentous fungi. She has created plant-based meat products with protein and fiber levels comparable to animal proteins, superior to many plant sources, and produced with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Her work positions filamentous fungi as a promising solution to global food, nutrition, and climate challenges.

Being a woman, young, scientist and a mother from a developing country is a privilege—a synergy of energy, resilience, and the art of multitasking to shape the future. Nothing can stop you unless you let it to. And for all the girls in the world, compete with yourself, collaborate with others to make a better world. The only limits are in your mind. Dream big, spread your wings, and shine.

Ms. SeungRan Yoo is a Principal Research Scientist at the World Institute of Kimchi, specializing in ecofriendly food packaging through polymer films and biopolymer-based systems. She has developed biodegradable and recyclable solutions to reduce environmental impact and previously worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at UC Davis. At WiKim, she advances sustainable packaging technologies to enhance food safety, extend shelf life, and support Korea’s food industry, particularly for kimchi.