Swiss L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Awards 2026: Four Outstanding Early-Career Researchers Honored in Zürich

Geneva, October 6, 2026 – Following the successful last year’s national launch, the "Swiss L'Oréal – UNESCO For Women in Science" program is recognizing the new 2026 cohort of four excellent female scientists for their outstanding research contributions. L'Oréal Switzerland, in partnership with the Swiss Commission for UNESCO and the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW, will present these awards on October 21st at the ZKO Zürcher Kammerorchester in Zürich. This year's award winners are actively engaged in research at leading institutions: The University of Geneva, ETH Zürich, and the University of Zürich. 

Guided by the motto, "The world needs science – and science needs women," the Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO have championed the advancement of outstanding women in research since 1998. With an impressive global track record, the "For Women in Science" program has supported more than 4,700 female scientists worldwide, a distinguished group that notably includes seven Nobel Prize laureates. Organized in close cooperation with the Swiss Commission for UNESCO and the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW, this prestigious national initiative celebrates its second edition in Switzerland.

The Swiss award ceremony is scheduled for October 21st, 2026, in Zürich. International moderator and presenter Olivia Kinghorst will guide attendees through an inspiring evening featuring dynamic discussions with leading figures from science, politics, civil society, and business, alongside a high-level government video address from the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) / State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

Delivering visionary keynotes on the future of science, technology, and female leadership will also be:

• Lisa Stähli, Product Engineering Lead at Esri R&D Center Zurich.
• Prof. Dr. Anabel Ternès von Hattburg, CSIO Lavivee, Founder VYBE Future Institute 

 

The recipients of this year's CHF 25,000 grants are:

Dr. Millicent Dockerill (University of Geneva, Department of Organic Chemistry) develops next-generation, reversible blood-thinning therapies equipped with a rapid "chemical zipper" antidote. Her breakthrough platform allows clinicians to instantly stop drug activity in emergencies, dramatically reducing the risk of dangerous bleeding and protecting vulnerable patient populations, including pregnant women.

 

 

Dr. Ing. Jana Musilová (ETH Zürich, Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering D-BSSE) pioneers the foundational layer of a personalized "digital twin" of the human menstrual cycle. Combining computational biology with longitudinal steroid hormone data, her open-source models address critical historical data gaps in female healthcare to transform the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS. 

 

 

Dr. Vera Vollenweider (University of Zürich, Department of Quantitative Biomedicine) explores innovative antimicrobial strategies that deprive multidrug-resistant bacteria of the iron they need to grow. Her research investigates whether prolonged iron starvation can cause clinical pathogens to shed mobile genetic elements carrying antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. 

 

 

Dr. Oana Pelea (University of Zürich, Department of Biochemistry) develops next-generation bridge recombinase systems with the goal of achieving high-fidelity, large-scale genome rearrangements in human cells. By advancing the precise insertion of large, gene-sized DNA sequences, her research could help lay the foundation for mutation-agnostic therapies for genetic disorders.  

 

 

"With our ‘For Women in Science’ awards, we are immensely proud to put a spotlight on exceptional researchers whose groundbreaking work directly shapes our future," states Claire Dieudonné, Country Coordinator & Market Director Consumer Products, L'Oréal Switzerland. "Whether in personalized digital health, next-generation genetic medicine, life-saving therapeutics, or combating antimicrobial resistance, the 2026 Swiss laureates demonstrate the indispensable contribution of women to scientific progress. By championing these outstanding scientists, we actively encourage young women across Switzerland to pursue ambitious research careers with confidence." 

"UNESCO actively champions equal opportunities and gender parity across culture, education, communication and science globally," states Thomas Zeltner, President of the Swiss Commission for UNESCO. "In Switzerland, while women represent a substantial share of university graduates, systemic challenges still hinder their representation at the highest academic ranks. The Swiss L’Oréal-UNESCO 'For Women in Science' initiative not only celebrates exceptional scientific achievements but also strengthens the frameworks that ensure women have equal access and opportunity in the scientific community."

“Engineering and science thrive when they draw on the full range of talent,” says Benoît Dubuis, President of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW. “Yet women still account for only around 25% of professorships at ETH Zurich and EPFL¹. With the ‘For Women in Science’ initiative, Switzerland not only celebrates excellence, it accelerates the inclusion of voices that will define the innovations of tomorrow, strengthening our capacity for innovation and competitiveness.” 

 

¹Source: Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (ETH Board), Media Release, December 4, 2025: "In 2025, for the first time, the ETH Board appointed more women than men to professorships." Link to ETH Board Media Release

About the Swiss Commission for UNESCO 

The Swiss Commission for UNESCO is an extra-parliamentary federal commission with an advisory function, established by a decision of the Federal Council in 1949. Its mandate is to liaise with the authorities in Switzerland on all matters of interest to UNESCO. The Commission also works to promote intellectual cooperation at national and international level in UNESCO's fields of competence among interested partners and institutions and among the general public. 

About the Swiss Academy of Engineering in Sciences SATW

The Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW is the most important network of experts for engineering sciences in Switzerland and is in contact with the highest Swiss bodies for science, politics and industry. The network comprises elected individual members, member organisations and experts. The Swiss Academy of Engineering in Sciences SATW identifies industrially relevant technological developments on behalf of the Swiss Confederation and informs the government and public about their significance and consequences. As a unique expert organisation with high credibility, it conveys independent and objective information on technology as the basis for establishing informed opinions. The Swiss Academy of Engineering in Sciences SATW also promotes interest in and understanding of technology among the general population and particularly among young people. It is politically independent and non-commercial. 

About L’Oréal 

For over 115 years, L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty player, has devoted itself to one thing only: fulfilling the beauty aspirations of consumers around the world. Our purpose, to create the beauty that moves the world, defines our approach to beauty as essential, inclusive, ethical, generous and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With our broad portfolio of 40 international brands and ambitious sustainability commitments in our L’Oréal for the Future programme, we offer each and every person around the world the best in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite plurality.

With more than 95,000 committed employees, a balanced geographical footprint and sales across all distribution networks (ecommerce, mass market, department stores, pharmacies, perfumeries, hair salons, branded and travel retail), in 2025 the Group generated sales amounting to 44.05 billion euros. With 22 research centers across 7 regional hubs around the world and a dedicated Research and Innovation team of over 4,000 scientists and more than 8,000 Digital, Tech and Data talents, L’Oréal is focused on inventing the future of beauty and becoming a Beauty Tech powerhouse.

In 2025, L’Oréal has been named the most innovative company in Europe by Fortune magazine, out of 300 companies, in a ranking spanning 21 countries and 16 industries in Europe.

L'Oréal also maintains its leading position in the Swiss cosmetics market, operating from two locations within the country. Across Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, L'Oréal employs approximately 3,000 people.

More information on: https://www.loreal.com/en/mediaroom

Media contacts

L’Oréal Suisse SA
Effie Mataliotaki
Head of Corporate Affairs & Engagement
[email protected]
+41 44 455 84 03 

 

Swiss Commission for UNESCO
Gabriela Tejada
Vice-President of the Swiss Commission for UNESCO
[email protected]
+41 21 693 51 16

 

The Swiss Academy of Engineering in Sciences SATW 
Edith Schnapper
Head of STEM Promotion
[email protected]
+41 44 226 50 26