Five Postdoctoral Researchers Honored with 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards
Five postdoctoral scientists have been named recipients of the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science awards, recognized for their diverse research contributions spanning bioengineering, immunology, ecology, astronomy, and neuroimmunology. The international initiative highlights early-career women researchers whose work addresses critical scientific and environmental challenges.
Dr. Danielle Stevens of the University of California, Berkeley, focuses her research on innate immunity and computational biology. Utilizing artificial intelligence, Stevens aims to accelerate the engineering of disease-resistant crops by targeting plant immune receptors. Her long-term goal centers on reducing global pesticide use and safeguarding agricultural food supplies.
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Anna Romanov works at the intersection of bioengineering, synthetic biology, and immunology. Romanov builds molecular technologies designed to illuminate how B-cells evolve, applying those fundamental insights toward the development of advanced vaccines and biologic therapies.
Dr. Katherine Lagerstrom of Princeton University investigates ecology and evolutionary biology, specifically examining how human-driven pressures—including pollution, antibiotic exposure, captivity, and direct human contact—reshape animal microbiomes and alter microbial evolution. Her work also explores the spread of antibiotic resistance within gut microbiomes.
In the fields of astronomy and planetary sciences, Dr. Clarissa Do Ó of the California Institute of Technology is developing specialized tools and imaging technologies required to photograph exoplanets. This technological groundwork seeks to facilitate the discovery of Earth-like planets orbiting Sun-like stars, offering broader context regarding planetary systems.
Dr. Tana Pottorf of The Ohio State University concentrates on neuroimmunology, investigating the function of immune cells known as macrophages following spinal cord injuries. Pottorf’s research aims to foster therapies that preserve the beneficial properties of these cells while mitigating chronic inflammation to enhance patient recovery.
A celebratory panel and reception honoring the five award recipients is scheduled for October 22, marking the second consecutive year of co-hosting the program. During the event, a newly produced documentary exploring the scientists’ research will premiere. Meanwhile, applications for the 2027 L’Oréal for Women in Science grants have officially opened.
