Priscilla Mante wins L'Oréal / UNESCO award

General News on Thursday, March 21, 2019

Source: L & # 39; Oreal

2019-03-21

Priscilla Kolibea Mante, Department of Pharmacology, won L'Oréal-UNESCO's Growing Talent Award for Women and Science in Paris, France.

The awards ceremony, which took place at UNESCO Headquarters, recognized him for having explored the anticonvulsive activity of the plant alkaloid cryptolepine and its solid lipid nanoparticles. in the management of epilepsy induced by neurocysticercosis.

Dr. Mante, the only African among the 15 winners of the award, received in 2018 one of the two L'Oréal-UNESCO postdoctoral fellowships for women and science in sub-Saharan Africa. The program distinguished 14 fellows, 12 doctoral students and 2 post-doctoral fellows – from five countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Ghana, Mauritius, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria). They were selected for the scientific excellence of their work among more than 480 applicants, by a jury of independent experts.

By identifying a way to help cryptolepine penetrate more effectively into the central nervous system, the risk of seizures should be reduced, which would help the patient to manage his condition as effectively as possible. "It's very gratifying to know that my research could significantly alter complex structures like the brain and have a positive impact on people's lives," she said.

Priscilla Kolibea Mante believes that the main challenge for women scientists is to manage the negative perceptions of their ambition and to overcome badist stereotypes. Having faith in the future, she is convinced that her generation was fortunate to have strong support. She believes that women can benefit from it and lead their careers to the next level. "The world will make room for us," she says. "The more women grow into leadership positions, the more difficult it will be to ignore them."

The wise counsel of men and women throughout her career has been so important that Ms. Priscilla Kolibea Mante is now considered a "champion" mentor, regularly supporting young scientists in the pursuit of their dreams. She concludes, "Sometimes it's important to hold your mentee's hand and guide him to opportunities he did not know."

Five outstanding laureates, one from each continent, were also honored for their important contributions to science. These outstanding women have been recognized for the excellence of their research in the fields of Materials Science, Mathematics and Computer Science and will each receive 100,000 Euros.

Since 1998, the L'Oréal Foundation, in partnership with UNESCO, has been working to improve the representation of women in scientific careers, firmly remaining convinced that the world needs science and that science needs women. . In its first 21 years, the For Women in Science program has supported and raised the profile of 107 laureates and more than 3,000 talented young scientists, PhD candidates and post-doctoral fellows, offering research fellowships each year. in 117 countries.