IVVN member awarded prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO prize

Dr Mariatulqabtiah Abdul Razak, an IVVN member from Universiti Putra Malaysia, has been awarded a 2022 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award (Malaysia programme).

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award was first awarded in 2006 to acknowledge and promote the work and contribution of women scientists in Malaysia. Since 2006, over RM1,000,000 of grant funding has been awarded to more than 40 women scientists in recognition of their achievement in science.

In November 2022,  Maria was presented with the prize and awarded a RM30,000 research grant which will support a project to develop a rapid diagnostic method for monkeypox virus.  Maria said:

"The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award shines a spotlight to my humble work which I hope can motivate other women scientists to live to our fullest potential. As a researcher, I believe that passion and consistency are key, while hurdles and failures are our opportunity to grow".

Maria is one of IVVN’s pump-priming grant awardees and in collaboration with Prof Munir Iqbal from the Pirbright Institute, their pump-priming project assessed the immunogenicity of virus-like particles (VLPs) as a potential universal vaccine for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. She said:

"The IVVN pump-priming grant has been a big stepping stone for me. It encouraged my research advancement and more importantly it boosted my confidence to achieve and contribute more. A persistent support system such as IVVN will inspire other young researchers to pursue careers in science and to be bold in exploring game-changing innovations".

Many congratulations to Maria on this wonderful achievement!