Women's power in science: Excellent female researchers honored!

Women's power in science: Excellent female researchers honored!

On September 26, 2025, deserving young female scientists in Germany were awarded the L’Oréal UNESCO Prize for Women in Science. Dr. Line Muradi, Dr. Rana Hussein Ali, Dr. Casey Paquola and Dr. Jingyuan Xu each received 25,000 euros for their outstanding contributions to science. The award is presented annually as part of a global initiative by UNESCO and L’Oréal, which are committed to promoting women in research.

Dr. Line Muradi, who has been working as a junior group leader in the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Münster since 2020, was recognized for her innovative research. Her work on photochemical reactions that use light as an energy source contributes to the development of more environmentally friendly synthetic strategies. In particular, their use of water as a sustainable solvent stands out, representing a significant advance in chemistry. These achievements are part of the commitment of L'Oréal to support female researchers and overcome systemic hurdles, as emphasized by Jean-Christophe Letellier, CEO of L’Oréal DACH.

Challenges and opportunities

Despite the progress that women have made in science, the proportion of female researchers in the European Union is only 34 percent, and in Germany it is even less than 30 percent. This inequality is particularly worrying in the context of the academic career ladder, where the proportion of women is decreasing – a phenomenon known as the “leaky pipeline”. The proportion of female doctoral students is 46 percent, but only 29 percent of professors are women. In this context, look for that Federal Ministry of Research for ways to promote equality and counteract the termination of women's careers in science.

The female professor program initiative, funded by the federal and state governments, is a central instrument for equality in universities. The fourth program phase, which started in 2023, will provide funding of 320 million euros until 2030. Projects to increase the proportion of women in STEM (mathematics, computer science, science and technology) fields are also a priority to ensure more women work in these crucial fields.

The role of equality in research

The award ceremony, organized by L’Oréal, took place in Düsseldorf, one of the most important research and media locations in Germany. Prof. Dr. Maria Böhmer, President of the German UNESCO Commission, spoke about the importance of equal opportunities and gender equality. Increasing commitment to women in research is necessary to strengthen the diversity and competitiveness of science at the international level.

The women mentioned are not only successful researchers, but also role models for the next generation. The “MissionMINT” program and the Girls’Day campaign aim to get school students excited about MINT careers and break through stereotypical barriers. It is increasingly recognized that gender-equitable approaches to research are not only ethically necessary, but can also deliver excellent results, as various initiatives to integrate gender aspects into research processes show.

Being awarded the L’Oréal UNESCO Prize is not only an honored individual achievement, but also an important step towards equality in science. It is to be hoped that such initiatives will continue in order to sustainably address the challenges faced by women in science.