The Young Talents Caribbean Region L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program celebrated its 2025 Awardees during a special ceremony in Puerto Rico. The event brought together partners from L’Oréal Caribe, the Caribbean Academy of Sciences, and the AAAS Caribbean Division to honor the achievements of exceptional women.
Now in its 26th year globally, the For Women in Science program continues to strengthen its reach in the Caribbean, supporting young women researchers working in fields essential to the region’s future, from marine sciences and hydrology to biotechnology, engineering, climate studies, and health sciences.
The annual awards celebrate not only scientific excellence but also the leadership and commitment of women whose work directly contributes to the wellbeing of Caribbean societies.
The winners this year were Dr. Lori-Ann Fisher, from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica, and Dr. Arianne Brown Jordan, from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago.
The 2025 Young Talents Awardees join a growing community of Caribbean women researchers whose work is shaping evidence-based policy, advancing national resilience strategies, strengthening biodiversity conservation, and opening new opportunities for scientific leadership.
UNESCO was represented at the ceremony by Bandiougou Diawara, Head of the Natural Sciences sector at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, who delivered remarks emphasizing the indispensable role of women researchers in addressing the region’s most pressing challenges.
He highlighted the persistent barriers that women in science continue to face, including limited visibility, uneven access to resources, and underrepresentation in leadership positions. Mr. Diawara reaffirmed that UNESCO remains steadfast in promoting gender equality in science and expanding pathways for women’s participation and leadership.