Riyadh — A faculty member of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has won an award at the 19th edition of the L'Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science ceremony that was held in Paris this week. Prof. Niveen Khashab was among five exceptional women scientists and 15 prominent young researchers recognized for their contribution to the world of science. A Lebanese national, Prof. Khashab is an Associate Professor of Chemical Sciences and Engineering at KAUST. She was recognized for designing novel nanoparticles that could improve early detection of disease. Her work in analytical chemistry could lead to more targeted and personalized medical treatment. UAE resident Nazek El-Atab was one of the 15 recipients of the International Rising Talents Award for her research on Nano-memory Devices. The Lebanese national is a PhD student at the Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi. Her work focuses on fabricating novel non-volatile, low-power, charge-trapping memory devices with enhanced performance. Each woman received an award of €100,000 in commendation of their scientific contributions in the fields of quantum physics, physical sciences and astrophysics. Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and CEO of L'Oréal and Chairman of the L'Oréal Foundation, highlighted the power of these women scientists, as well as all the women scientists who have been celebrated this year, in his opening speech: "Only a shared, controlled science, at the service of the world's population, is able to meet the major challenges of the twenty-first century, and our researchers are the proof. They are the ones that give science all its greatness." The event was opened by Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO and Jean-Paul Agon.
