2024 L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" French Young Talent award, 2024 Cancéropôle Ile-de-France awards: Institut Pasteur scientists recognized

•    Alice Dejoux, Malia Lasalo and Nell Saunders: winners of the 2024 L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" French Young Talent award

On October 9, three Institut Pasteur scientists were among those to receive the 18th L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" French Young Talent award.

Every year since 2007, the L'Oréal Foundation, in partnership with the French Academy of Sciences and the French National Commission for UNESCO, has recognized the achievements of 35 promising young female scientists who are helping advance the frontiers of research in France.

The award shines a light on women scientists, supports them in their career and recognizes their contribution to research. The prize includes an endowment to help them continue their research and advance scientific knowledge in their field.

This year, three Institut Pasteur scientists were among the laureates:

- Alice Dejoux, a PhD student in the Antibodies in Therapy and Pathology Unit, for her research analyzing the origin of allergies to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs);

- Malia Lasalo, a PhD student in the Bioactivity of Natural and Derived Substances group at the Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle Calédonie, who is studying the use of marine microorganisms to treat chronic inflammatory diseases;

- Nell Saunders, a PhD student in the Virus and Immunity Unit, whose research aims to improve our understanding of coronaviruses to help tackle respiratory infections.

See the profiles of the three laureates (in French)

 

•    Marion Guérin, laureate of the 2024 Cancéropôle Île-de-France award

The Cancéropôle Ile-de-France is a regional body funded by the French National Cancer Institute whose role is to harness skills and resources for cancer research in the Greater Paris region, thereby facilitating the development of innovative projects.

The Cancéropôle Ile-de-France awards, supported by the ARC Foundation for Cancer Research, recognize the research of three PhD students or postdoctoral fellows from the Greater Paris region in the field of cancer.

 

This year's recipients include Marion Guérin, a postdoctoral fellow in the Dynamics of Immune Responses Unit, for her research shedding light on a novel mechanism of action of anti-PD-1 antibodies. These antibodies strengthen immune defenses by activating cells that tackle tumors and improving the overall immune response.