Fourth Australian fellowship added to L'Oréal-Unesco For Women In Science Program

L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science 2017 Australian Fellowships

Two women in science advocates join the Jury

The number of Fellowships is increased to four

For over ten years the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has supported Australian female scientists with the aim of encouraging more young women to enter the profession and to assist them once their careers are in progress.

In 2017, L’Oréal Australia is proud to announce the addition of a fourth $25,000 Australian Fellowship. The four Australian Fellowships and one New Zealand Fellowship will be awarded at the official ceremony in Sydney in October 2017.

This year L’Oréal Australia is also delighted to announce two new members of the For Women in Science Jury. We are honoured to be welcoming Professor John Carroll and Professor Doug Hilton, two advocates for women in science, to the program.

Professor John Carroll - Director, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University

Professor Carroll's research focus is on the cell biology of the mammalian oocyte with a view to understanding its role in establishing a healthy pregnancy. His current work is directed toward understanding why eggs become less fertile as maternal age increases. John has spent most of his academic career at University College London (UCL) where he was Head of Department of Physiology before being appointed Associate Dean and Director of the UCL Division of Biosciences. Professor Carroll joined Monash University in September 2012 where he is Director of the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Dean of Biomedical and Psychological Sciences. John was inaugural Chair of the Faculty Gender Equity Committee and now Chairs the Athena SWAN gender equity team at Monash University.

Professor Doug Hilton – Director, Walter and Eliza Institute

Professor Hilton is the sixth Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, and head of the Department of Medical Biology in the Faculty of MDHS at the University of Melbourne. He is best known for his discoveries in four distinct areas of molecular haematology: leukaemia inhibitory factor, cytokine receptor family, suppressors of cytokine signalling, and identification of haematopoietic regulators through a large-scale forward mutagenesis screen. As Institute Director, he introduced mentoring programs for staff at WEHI, and formed a Gender Equity Committee to help alleviate problems faced by women scientists who are combining research with family responsibilities. His generosity and enthusiasm in mentoring was awarded the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers and a key reason he was invited to become a Victorian Male Champion of Change. Doug was also awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia, in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for 2016.

“We are excited by the development of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program in Australia and are pleased to be playing a part in ensuring gender equality within the sector,” says Christine Burke, Communications Director L’Oréal Australia. “Increasing the number of Fellowships awarded to female scientists working in Australia is a great step forward for our local program. We are also delighted that Professor Carroll and Professor Hilton will be providing their science expertise and support of women in science to the Jury this year.”

The application process for the 2017 program opens on Monday 20th February 2017 – www.forwomeninscience.com.au.

About L’Oréal

L’Oréal Australia is part of the L’Oréal Group. L’Oréal has devoted itself to beauty for over 105 years. With its unique international portfolio of 32 diverse and complementary brands, the Group generated sales amounting to 25.26 billion euros in 2015 and employs 82,900 people worldwide. As the world’s leading Beauty Company, L’Oréal is present across all distribution networks: mass market, department stores, pharmacies and drugstores, hair salons, travel retail and branded retail. L’Oréal Australia has 25 brands available across all channels nationwide. The business employs almost 900 people who work in all states and territories.

For further media information please contact:

Christine Burke Communications Director

L'Oréal Australia

Telephone: (02) 8586 7441

Mobile: 0411 142 622

Email: [email protected]

Marnie Carroll

Head of Corporate Communications

L'Oréal Australia

Telephone: (03) 8680 0006

Mobile: 0466 329 214

Email: [email protected]