The Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO have announced the winners of the 2025 L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards, honouring five exceptional women for their groundbreaking work in the physical sciences, mathematics, and computer science.

The awards will be presented on 12 June at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Representing five global regions, this year’s laureates were selected from 466 nominees by an independent jury chaired by Fields Medalist Professor Artur Ávila. Their research tackles pressing global issues such as data security, environmental health, green energy, and cosmic physics.

Professor Priscilla Baker, from South Africa, was recognised for her work in developing highly sensitive electrochemical microsensors used to detect environmental contaminants, with implications for health, food safety, and energy.

Professor Xiaoyun Wang, based at Tsinghua University in China, was honoured for her significant contributions to cryptography. Her research exposed major flaws in hash functions, helping to shape the secure communication protocols used today in bank cards, e-commerce, and data protection.

Professor Claudia Felser of Germany was awarded for her pioneering work in discovering magnetic materials vital for green energy technologies. Her leadership in developing the field of topological quantum chemistry has bridged fundamental science with practical advances in data storage and sustainable energy.

Professor María Teresa Dova, from Argentina, was recognised for her key role in the discovery of the Higgs boson and her research on cosmic ray physics. Her scientific leadership has positioned Argentina as a major player in experimental physics and inspired new generations of researchers.

Professor Barbara Finlayson-Pitts of the United States was honoured for her groundbreaking research on air pollution. She revealed the molecular basis of smog formation and helped translate this understanding into public policy, significantly improving air quality standards.

The L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science programme, now in its 27th year, has supported over 4,700 women scientists around the world. Among its laureates, seven have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes.

“In a world facing unprecedented challenges—climate change, health crises, digital security—science is more essential than ever. And at the heart of this urgency, we need women,” said Pauline Avenel-Lam, Executive Director of the Fondation L’Oréal.

Lidia Brito, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, added: “The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme provides women scientists with the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserve. By celebrating the 2025 laureates and each new generation of female researchers, we move closer to a world where the contributions of women are fully valued in every scientific field.”