The prestigious Nature Awards, a collaborative initiative between Springer Nature and The Estée Lauder Companies, has recognized Claire Chewapreecha, a prominent computational biologist from the Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit based in Thailand, alongside the inspiring WITIN Girls STEM Clubs & Outreaches in Nigeria, as the distinguished recipients of this year’s Inspiring Women in Science Awards.
They were celebrated during a special award ceremony held at The Estée Lauder Companies’ UK and Ireland headquarters in London on October 31st, an event that showcased the remarkable contributions of women in the scientific community.
“We are delighted to celebrate the seventh year of the Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science,” expressed Lisa Napolione, senior vice president of global R&D at The Estée Lauder Companies. “Each year, the caliber of applications from around the world gives me great hope, knowing the impact of these women who are at the center of producing such exceptional research outcomes and those who are working to expand STEM outreach so more girls and young women around the world have the opportunity to do so in the future. At ELC, we believe that recognizing the breakthrough research being led by women and honouring their contributions toward developing the next generation of women scientists accelerates gender equality in STEM fields and beyond. We are closely aligned with Nature on this goal.”
Claire Chewapreecha leads a dedicated team focused on collecting, sequencing, and analyzing genetic data associated with melioidosis, a neglected tropical disease that afflicts approximately 165,000 individuals annually and can often prove fatal. This bacterial infection, which is transmitted through contact with contaminated soil or water, has been the focal point of her impactful research. Her efforts have culminated in the creation of a rapid DNA-based diagnostic test that significantly reduces the risk of misdiagnosis by enabling prompt detection.
Igniting Interest in STEM
The WITIN Girls STEM Clubs & Outreaches are instrumental in providing valuable hands-on STEM programs, mentorship, and essential resources to socio-economically disadvantaged girls throughout Nigeria. This initiative not only ignites young girls’ interest in STEM but also equips them with support that encourages the pursuit of STEM careers, thereby nurturing their leadership potential and contributing to long-term poverty alleviation while bridging the gender gap in STEM disciplines.
The Nature Awards, in association with The Estée Lauder Companies, champions individuals working diligently to inspire girls and women to engage with STEM subjects. This collaboration also emphasizes the importance of supporting women in sustaining their careers in STEM fields globally.
The Scientific Achievement Award recognizes early-career women researchers who have made significant contributions to scientific discovery, often in the face of personal or professional challenges, showcasing their resilience and commitment to science.
The Science Outreach Award celebrates innovative initiatives designed to encourage young girls to engage with and study natural sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEM), as well as enhance the retention of women within STEM careers, with a particular focus on providing tools that assist women through various stages of their professional journey in STEM disciplines.
Around the world, The Estée Lauder Companies is dedicated to pioneering cutting-edge science that encompasses multidisciplinary expertise. Their operations integrate various fields including basic science, advanced technologies, and the intersections of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. With a 75-year legacy of formulation authority, ELC is deeply embedded within the scientific community, continually presenting at esteemed events and contributing to peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, ELC is committed to advancing women in STEM; all of the company’s R&D and innovation laboratories worldwide are led by women, and more than half of its scientists, engineers, and technical professionals are women, underscoring their commitment to gender equality in science.
The Nature Awards: Celebrating Incredible Women in Science
Well, well, well! If it isn’t the Nature Awards teaming up with The Estée Lauder Companies to highlight some seriously brainy women! And honestly, it’s about time we crank up the visibility on the ladies in lab coats who are doing groundbreaking work while tackling—or in some cases, flat-out ignoring—the uphill battles of gender disparity in the sciences.
This year’s rockstars? Claire Chewapreecha, a computational biologist from the Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit in Thailand, and the WITIN Girls STEM Clubs & Outreaches in Nigeria. They were honored in a delightful little ceremony at The Estée Lauder Companies UK and Ireland headquarters in London on October 31. And no, it’s not a Halloween joke. It’s real life, folks!
Claire Chewapreecha: The Science Superhero
Now, let’s talk about Claire. This remarkable scientist is on a mission to combat melioidosis, a tropical disease that has claimed the lives of far too many people. What’s that? Well, it’s a fancy term for a nasty bacterial infection often spread through contaminated soil or water. You know, the usual ways we all love to contract a disease. Thanks to her hard work, Claire’s team developed a DNA-based rapid diagnostic test that means faster detection. Talk about being a lifesaver! It’s like she’s armed with a microscopic superhero cape. 📡🦸♀️
WITIN Girls: Igniting Passion for STEM
Now onto the WITIN Girls STEM Clubs & Outreaches—the shining beacon of hope in Nigeria. Their mission? To get girls excited about STEM subjects despite the socio-economic challenges they face. Seriously, they’re like the fairy godmothers of science—turning pumpkins into spaceships and girls into engineers. One STEM project at a time! Just remember, mentors can work wonders, and these ladies are proving it by nurturing future leaders—because let’s face it, we need all the smart cookies we can get to tackle planet-sized problems!
Gender Equality in STEM: A Round of Applause!
Lisa Napolione, senior vice president of global R&D at Estée Lauder, stated, “Each year, the caliber of applications from around the world gives me great hope.” And you can practically feel the collective sigh of relief from women in science who are busting their backs to advance the field yet often get overlooked. It’s about time recognition popped the question: “Will you marry equality?” to the gender gap that so desperately needs closure.
The awards aren’t just about glitter and glamour, either. They aim to shore up the next generation of female scientists—giving their careers a nudge along the bumpy path of STEM. These awards are a much-needed wake-up call to the broader community about how critical it is to support women at all levels in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The Not-So-Secret Formula for Success
In a world that loves a “throwback Thursday” moment, can we just applaud how Estée Lauder’s commitment to women in STEM has grown? They can boast that all their R&D labs worldwide are led by women, and over half of their scientists and engineers are also women. That’s right—if you’re rolling your eyes and wondering where all the female representation is, just take a look at Estée Lauder. They’re the real McCoy in a sea of mediocrity!
So here’s to Claire and WITIN Girls! May their stories inspire countless others to step into the spotlight with their safety goggles on and calculators in hand. Let’s continue to champion women in the sciences and support initiatives that encourage the future generation—because who knows, the next Einstein could be a girl from Nigeria, and that’s just a thought worth celebrating!
This commentary combines wit with information while maintaining the essence of celebration for women in STEM. The cheeky tone contrasts nicely with the seriousness of the achievement, while still encouraging engagement and raising awareness.
O shed light on the ongoing challenges women face in STEM and to inspire the next generation of female scientists. Today, we are joined by Dr. Claire Chewapreecha to discuss her recent recognition at the Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science. Welcome, Dr. Chewapreecha!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Claire! Congratulations on receiving the Nature Award for Inspiring Women in Science. How does it feel to be recognized for your work?
**Dr. Chewapreecha:** Thank you so much! It’s incredibly humbling and affirming to be recognized among such esteemed colleagues. This award highlights not just my efforts but also the significant work being done in the field of tropical medicine and the importance of addressing diseases like melioidosis.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of melioidosis, can you explain why you chose to focus your research on this disease?
**Dr. Chewapreecha:** Absolutely. Melioidosis is a neglected tropical disease that impacts many lives, particularly in rural communities where access to medical care is limited. I was drawn to the challenge of developing better diagnostics because timely detection can make a life-saving difference for patients.
**Interviewer:** You’ve led the development of a rapid DNA-based diagnostic test for melioidosis. Could you share how this innovation has impacted patient outcomes?
**Dr. Chewapreecha:** The test we developed significantly reduces the risk of misdiagnosis, which is crucial given that the symptoms can be quite general and mimic other illnesses. With faster and more accurate results, healthcare providers can implement treatment plans sooner, which ultimately improves survival rates.
**Interviewer:** That’s incredible! Now, let’s shift gears to the WITIN Girls STEM Clubs in Nigeria. What does their work mean to you, and how do you think it complements your efforts?
**Dr. Chewapreecha:** The WITIN Girls initiative is vital. They’re empowering young girls to pursue STEM fields, which is critical for creating a diverse and innovative scientific community. Their mentorship and resources help pave the way for these girls, addressing the gender gap in STEM head-on—something I believe is essential for future advancements.
**Interviewer:** Lisa Napolione spoke about the importance of advancing gender equality in STEM. Why do you think it’s crucial for women to be represented in scientific fields?
**Dr. Chewapreecha:** Having diverse voices in science leads to a broader range of ideas, approaches, and solutions. Women bring unique perspectives that can influence research directions and outcomes. Gender equality in STEM isn’t just a matter of fairness; it’s about enhancing the overall quality of science and innovation.
**Interviewer:** what message would you like to share with young aspiring scientists, especially young women?
**Dr. Chewapreecha:** I want to tell them to pursue their passions unapologetically. Science can be challenging, and roadblocks are inevitable, but persistence is key. Surround yourself with mentors, connect with fellow researchers, and never underestimate the power and value of your contributions. Your voice matters in shaping the future of science!
**Interviewer:** Wise words, Claire. Thank you for sharing your insights with us, and once again, congratulations on your well-deserved award!
**Dr. Chewapreecha:** Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure discussing these important topics.
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