On November 20, 2025, Beirut celebrated excellence in women’s scientific achievement during the 12th edition of the L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science program in the Levant.
Held at the Middle East Airlines training center, the ceremony took place under the high patronage of Her Excellency Ambassador Sahar Baassiri and brought together more than 300 figures from diplomatic, academic, scientific, and social circles.
In her address, Ambassador Baassiri emphasized the importance of encouraging women to engage in scientific fields, recalling that creativity and talent know neither gender nor borders. She highlighted that the laureates of this edition serve as role models for younger generations, strengthening a female presence that remains too limited in global research, where women account for only 31.1% of researchers. Since 1998, the program has supported more than 4,700 women scientists worldwide, seven of whom later became Nobel Prize laureates. In the Levant, 95 women researchers have been honored since 2014.
Ms. Émilie Wahab Harb, General Manager of L’Oréal Lebanon, reaffirmed L’Oréal’s commitment to women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, stating: “As a company founded on innovation, L’Oréal knows that the future of science depends on the diversity of brilliant minds—particularly those of women. This conviction guides our long-term investment in the future of knowledge, innovation, and society. The remarkable achievements of these six young women researchers testify to the major impact women are having today in the Levant. We are determined to amplify their voices, expand the reach of their discoveries, and open more pathways for women in science. Our role is to turn conviction into action: to remove barriers, foster access, and enable women everywhere to lead, contribute, and shape the world with equal strength.”
This edition honored six Young Talents—three postdoctoral researchers and three doctoral candidates—selected from more than 100 applications for the exceptional scientific excellence of their work. The rigorous selection process was conducted by a distinguished jury chaired by Ms. Marie Abboud Mehanna, Professor of Physics at USJ and herself a L’Oréal–UNESCO laureate in 2009.
In the Postdoctoral category, researchers from Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon were recognized. In the Doctoral category, three countries were also represented—Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria—with special recognition awarded to the laureate from Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Dr. Ghina El Hage Chehade. Her research focuses on the study of extremophilic bacteria isolated from the salt marshes of Enfeh to produce biodegradable PHA bioplastics, paving the way for a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
Hosted by journalist Raneem Bou Khzam, the ceremony took place in the presence of prominent figures such as Mr. Paolo Fontani, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau in Beirut, and Dr. Chadi Abdallah, Secretary General of CNRS-Lebanon, reflecting regional support for women scientists and underscoring the importance of strengthening collaboration to advance research in the Levant.
Read also: L’USJ brillamment représentée à la cérémonie L’Oréal-UNESCO « Pour les Femmes et la Science » 2025