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L'Oréal Adria and the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO awarded three promising young female researchers, including two colleagues from the National Institute of Chemistry - molecular biologist Tajda Klobučar and biomedical scientist Sara Orehek - with the L'Oréal-UNESCO National Programme "For Women in Science" prizes in the atrium of the ZRC SAZU.

Since 2006, the national L'Oréal-UNESCO programme "For Women in Science" in Slovenia has been encouraging young female scientists to continue their research in the fields of biology, medicine, pharmacy, biochemistry and physics. This year, 37 female researchers competed for the €5,000 prize.

The recipients of the prizes, which were presented by the evaluation group and the National Committee, are:

Tajda Klobučar, a molecular biology researcher (National Institute of Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology - Laboratory of RNA Networks), whose research focuses on the cell, in particular on the interplay between RNA and proteins that influence gene expression in developing cells. This understanding leads to key mechanisms that control normal embryonic development and helps to discover new targets for the treatment of diseases at the RNA level.

Sara Orehek, Biomedical Researcher (National Institute of Chemistry, Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology), is working on cancer immunotherapy. Her work combines immunology and synthetic biology to develop innovative therapeutic approaches to treat cancer and improve anti-tumour immunity.

Manca Peskar, a cognitive neuroscientist who studies patients with Parkinson's disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Her research under more natural conditions, during exercise, is leading to the development of more advanced therapeutic approaches to prolong the autonomy of Parkinson's patients and prevent injury.

Data from the latest report "Gender Gap in Science: status and trends", published by UNESCO in 2024 and based on data from 147 countries since 1996, shows that in 2021 only 34.4% of researchers in Slovenia were women, compared to 49.6% in Central Asia. In 2021, the proportion of women among researchers at the global level was 31.7%, 1.7% more than in 2017. The report also shows that Slovenia is above the global average and below the average in Central and Eastern Europe in 2021, with a 34.4 share of female researchers. Progress in the inclusion of women in science is slow. Less than half of countries report this data regularly, according to UNESCO, which emphasises the need for greater efforts in data collection and the promotion of gender equality in science.

"With the partners of the L'Oréal-UNESCO National Programme "For Women in Science", the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and UNESCO, we are encouraging women in science more than ever to push the boundaries of knowledge, accelerate scientific progress and increase their impact. This is the driving force behind the national L'Oréal-UNESCO programme "For Women in Science", which has supported 52 female researchers in Slovenia so far. Today we welcome three new promising top female researchers whose excellent work demonstrates a clear vision and desire to inspire future generations of young girls who aspire to a career in science and research," said Irena Šarić Dombaj, Director of Corporate Communications, L'Oréal Adria - Balkans, in her opening speech.

The three selected scientists received their diplomas from the hands of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Igor Papič, who emphasized: "Knowledge is the basis for the development of society. In Slovenia, we have good universities, faculties, research institutes and researchers. If we know how to utilise this, we are on the right track." He also emphasized the government's contribution to this issue: "The government has just passed an amendment to the Act on Scientific Research and Development. We have increased the proportion of our country's GDP dedicated to this area to 1.25%, making us one of the leading countries recognising the importance of science."

"Life sciences play a key role in tackling the main challenges of the future and contribute to a better world. It is therefore not enough to encourage young women to enter science. They need to be empowered as leaders and innovators, because their influence on scientific decisions - both in terms of content and funding - is still insufficient. It is also important that women themselves build networks of support, collaboration and mentoring, as this is the only way to strengthen their position in the scientific world," said Prof Irena Mlinarič Raščan, Chair of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO.

In her speech, Prof Dr Špela Zupančič, the newly elected Chair of the National Committee for the L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" programme, referred to her own experiences as a recipient of the award: "A research career is not only about groundbreaking discoveries. I also remember moments of frustration when I would stare at a blank page for days until one evening the words just poured out of me - and then I would write into the early hours of the morning. I remember the feeling of being stuck in a dead end with no solution in sight. A doctoral thesis is a varied and intense time - full of highs, lows and invaluable lessons. I am grateful to my supervisor, my colleagues and the people close to me who have helped me along the way with their support and guidance."

The national L'Oréal-UNESCO programme "For Women in Science" has honoured a total of 55 outstanding young female scientists in Slovenia in the 19 years of its existence.

More information about the L'Oréal-UNESCO National Programme "For Women in Science": www.gov.si/novice/2024-10-07-natecaj-nacionalnega-programa-loreal-unesco-za-zenske-v-znanosti/

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