Five Women Scientists in Developing Countries Win 2018 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards

Five researchers have been named winners of the 2018 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their research in the physical sciences. The winning scholars from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ecuador, Guyana, and Indonesia are being recognized for their accomplishments in applied mathematics, physics, theoretical and computational chemistry, environmental and material chemistry, and organometallic and coordination chemistry. As well as leading and mentoring young scientists in their respective disciplines, the scientists are also recognized for their commitment to improving lives and livelihoods in their communities and regions.

Five researchers have been named winners of the 2018 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their research in the physical sciences. The winning scholars from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ecuador, Guyana, and Indonesia are being recognized for their accomplishments in applied mathematics, physics, theoretical and computational chemistry, environmental and material chemistry, and organometallic and coordination chemistry. As well as leading and mentoring young scientists in their respective disciplines, the scientists are also recognized for their commitment to improving lives and livelihoods in their communities and regions.

"These scientists are living proof that, if given the opportunities and support, women all over the developing world can become leaders in their field. I salute them all and commend them for their commitment to their fields of study and to the improvement of the lives of men, women and children in their communities. They serve as role models for all young girls and women aspiring to achieve success in their fields," said Jennifer Thomson, President of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).

The five researchers are:

"From tsunami simulation to improving energy efficiency and the quality of drinking water, these scientists are actively tackling some of the biggest challenges facing their communities," added Ylann Schemm, Director of the Elsevier Foundation. "The Elsevier Foundation is proud to partner with OWSD and AAAS in celebrating the successes of these women, persevering in the face of often acute resource and gender-related challenges."

The awards are part of a 7-year partnership between OWSD and the Elsevier Foundation. OWSD chairs a panel of distinguished scientists to select the winners, and the Elsevier Foundation supports a cash prize for each winner of USD $5,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 2018 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting, this year in Austin, Texas, February 15-19, 2018. The five winners will be honored on 17 February at a special breakfast ceremony during the AAAS meeting.

Read more about the winners and get live updates from the awards on Saturday, February 17 on Elsevier Connect.

The awards ceremony will take place on February 17, 2018 during the Minority and Women Scientists and Engineers Networking Breakfast from 7:00-9:00am in Austin, TX at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting.

Reporters wishing to attend the ceremony can contact Domiziana Francescon at +31-610215901 or [email protected] .

The 2018 winners are:

Reference sheets for each award winner with a more extensive biography and description of their work are also available upon request.

About OWSD 

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 6,000 members and runs various programmes, including a PhD fellowship programme with over 200 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as an Early Career Women Scientists fellowship programme launched in December 2017. OWSD is the first international forum to unite women scientists from the developing world with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is affiliated with The World Academy of Science (TWAS), a programme unit of UNESCO, and is based in Trieste, Italy, with national chapters throughout the developing world. www.owsd.net

About The Elsevier Foundation 

The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered institutions around the world, with a sustainability focus on innovations in health information, diversity in STM, research in developing countries and technology for development. Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded more than 100 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities. The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate not-for-profit 501(c)(3), funded by Elsevier, a global information analytics business. www.elsevierfoundation.org

About Elsevier 

Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps institutions and professionals progress science, advance healthcare and improve performance for the benefit of humanity. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and professional education; including ScienceDirect, Scopus, Scival, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, more than 35,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professionals and business customers across industries. www.elsevier.com

Media contact
Domiziana Francescon, Program Officer
Elsevier Foundation
+31-610215901
[email protected]

Erin Johnson, Communications Officer
OWSD
+39-040-2240-387
[email protected]

Tonya Blowers, Coordinator
OWSD
[email protected]