
AsianScientist (Feb. 20, 2017) – Five researchers have been named winners of the 2017 Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for their research in engineering, innovation and technology.
The winning scholars from Bangladesh, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia and Sudan are being honored for their accomplishments in chemical engineering, energy and minerals engineering, environmental engineering and computer science. They are also celebrated for mentoring young women scientists in their respective countries.
“The determination, commitment and enthusiasm of these five women are an inspiration to us all, and especially to other women undertaking scientific research in developing countries. This award celebrates their excellent science and demonstrates that their hard work has had an impact both regionally and internationally, despite the difficult local conditions,” said Ms. Jennifer Thomson, president of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).
The five researchers are: Dr. Tanzima Hashem of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology; Dr. María Fernanda Rivera Velásquez of the Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo in Ecuador; Dr. Felycia Edi Soetaredjo of the Widya Mandala Catholic University Surabaya in Indonesia; Dr. Grace Ofori-Sarpong of the University of Mines and Technology in Ghana; and Dr. Rania Mokhtar of the Sudan University of Science and Technology.
“Each of these winners is working in emerging fields tackling some of the toughest challenges out there—from cyber security to decontamination of our most precious resources,” added Mr. Ylann Schemm, Director of the Elsevier Foundation. “By celebrating their achievements at the AAAS, our goal is to open doors and connect them with their global research peers.”
The awards represent a longstanding partnership between OWSD and the Elsevier Foundation. A panel of eminent scientists selected the winners, who will all receive US$5,000 and all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 2017 AAAS Annual Meeting, provided by the Elsevier Foundation.
Hashem is a computer scientist who has developed computational approaches to protect the privacy of people accessing location-based services. The award recognizes her new and innovative solutions which allow citizens to have control over their personal and sensitive data on health, habits and whereabouts.
“This award gives me the confidence to fulfill my dream of making user-friendly technology to solve the specific challenges we face in the developing world,” Hashem said.
Soetaredjo utilizes biomass and clay material to produce biosorbents, adsorbents and composites, which remove hazardous compounds such as antibiotics, heavy metals and dyes from wastewater.
“Realizing that a challenge can also be an opportunity, I started working on research in the area of environment and waste,” said Soetaredjo. “My home country Indonesia is uniquely rich in biodiversity and I believe that nature has answers for each question.”
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Source: Elsevier; Photo: Shutterstock.
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