L'Oreal Philippinnes Partners with UNESCO in Their "FWIS"!!!

L'oreal Philippines , the worldwide leader in cosmetics and UNESCO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, renew their joint commitment in promoting scientific careers and recognizing outstanding women scientist s through FOR WOMEN in SCIENCE (FWIS).

Last July 3, 2012, Loreal Philippines and UNESCO through FOR WOMEN in SCIENCE presented their two awardees for the year 2012. FWIS is already is in its 2^nd year, and for these year they awarded two remarkable women in the field of Marine Science.

The two awardees are Ma. Cecilia G. Conaco and Dr. Aletta T. Yniguez. 

Ma. Cecilia G. Conaco received her fellowship at FWIS through her research proposal entitled “ Dynamic Gene Regulation in Marine Sponges”. The project aims to identify novel sponges and the mechanisms that allow the organism to monitor and adapt to its environment which will help us better understand the impact of ecological change on marine life. It will also provide insights into the development of technologies for the synthesis or isolation of bio-active compounds.

Dr. Aletta T. Yniguez received her fellowship grant for her research entitled ,” ENHANCING ROBUSTNESS of PLANKTON MODELS and MONITORING SYSTEMS by UNDERSTANDING FINE-SCALE BIOPHYSICAL PROCESSESS”.  This project intends to contribute to the improvement of primary production and harmful algal bloom models that are currently being developed in other endeavors, as well as to help validate and increase the reliability of real-time monitoring platforms and remotely-sensed data that will be part of a bloom forecasting system in target sites in the country.

Science continues to help to seek new discoveries through foundation like FWIS that aims to empower more women who excel in the field of Science. I am glad and hopefully more foundations or grants will have this kind of endeavour to further help young and dynamic women.

What is FWIS NATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS?

FWIS NATIONAL FELLOWSHIPS is accepting research proposals related to the Life and Material Sciences from applicants who hold or are currently pursuing master's or PH.D. degrees in any field of Life and Material Science and are not more than 45 years old. Two fellowship grants worth Php400,000 each, will be given to two deserving women based on the judging criteria of an esteemed jury composed of representatives from L'Oreal Philippines, UNESCO, and the DOST. For the awardees for the Year 2012 ,the deadline for the awardees is March 2013.

Hope fully next year, there will be more women will join most especially what's exciting about this joint project by L'Oreal Philippines and FWIS is that, it encourages more women to join and fulfill their scientific projects that will help answer future problems related to Life Sciences.