L’Oreal USA honors women in science

NEW YORK L’Oreal USA recently honored the 2008 recipients of the L’Oreal USA Fellowships For Women in Science at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

The women were recognized on May 22 for conducting innovative and breakthrough research across a range of disciplines, including neuroscience, oceanography and aerospace engineering. The Fellows represent the next generation of women scientific role models, following in the footsteps of chemist and physicist Marie Curie, and Elizabeth Blackwell, who, in 1849, became the first woman to graduate from medical school.

Recipients each receive $40,000 to be used toward independent scientific research. The Fellowship also offers professional development workshops for awardees and helps Fellows build networks with women leaders in corporate, academic, governmental and scientific fields.

The 2008 L’Oreal USA Fellows are:

• Dr. Sara Aton, University of Pennsylvania, who is a neuroscientist researching how the sleeping brain consolidates learning and memory.
• Dr. Ania Bleszynski-Jayich, Yale University, who is a physicist investigating the persistent current principle of quantum mechanics.
• Dr. Laura Lapham, Florida State University, who is a chemical oceanographer conducting research that may lead to new discoveries around the use of methane hydrates as a potential energy source.
• Dr. Srivdevi Vedula Sarma, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who is a computational neuroscientist using technology to improve the deep brain stimulation technique to treat Parkinson’s disease.
• Dr. Sandra Ugrina, University of Maryland, who is an aerospace engineer developing techniques to help improve the aerodynamic efficiency of materials and reduce fuel consumption.