L’Oral Canada Mentor Fellowships awarded to two young Canadian women scientists

Montral, QC December 22, 2003 L’Oral Canada has awarded two mentor fellowships to two young Canadian women researchers. The ceremony marked the launch of a national program which is part of the larger For Women in Science international partnership linking L’Oral and Unesco.

The ceremony, which took place earlier this month, was located at L’Oral Canada’s new head office, in the presence of a number of well-known invited guests, including Ms Michle Jean, vice-president, canadian commission for Unesco.

The international L’Oral-Unesco For Women in Science program aims to heighten the profile of women in science, as well as encourage young women to enter the field. By means of various awards and fellowships, it recognizes exceptional women whose actions have contributed to scientific progress and influence. Since 1998, this program has rewarded the outstanding achievements of 71 women from 45 different countries.

In the same vein, through a fellowship program supported by the Canadian Commission for Unesco, L’Oral Canada has decided to annually recognize two young women scientists who have promising research projects.

This year, the Canadian jury’s choice has fallen upon two scientist-mentors, Ms Sophie Breton and Ms Sari Van Anders:

– Sophie Breton, 27, holds a master’s degree in oceanography. Enrolled in the UQAM-UQAR PhD program in biology, she hopes to be able to complete her doctoral and post-doctoral studies in order to begin a teaching and research career in a highly specialized field, that of the evolutionary biology of marine invertebrates. Ms. Breton has also been awarded the Governor General of Canada’s Gold Academic Medal.

– Sari Van Anders, 25, is enrolled in the doctoral program of neuropsychology at Simon Fraser University. She intends to devote her career to teaching and research, particularly within the field of neuroendocrinology.