Five postdoctoral scientists receive grants, mentoring and networking, supporting the next generation of women scientists

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, L’Oréal USA announced the 2026 For Women in Science (FWIS) awardees, providing five women postdoctoral scientists grants to advance their research. The program, a cornerstone of L’Oréal USA’s efforts over twenty-three years, reflects the unwavering commitment to supporting women in shaping their future and making a difference in society through scientific research.

The 2026 FWIS cohort represents a dynamic range of research focus areas such as computational biology, astronomy and planetary sciences and neuroimmunology.  

•  Dr. Danielle Stevens – Innate Immunity, Computational Biology – University of California, Berkley. Studying how to accelerate the development of sustainable, disease-resistant crops, with the goal of reducing pesticide use and helping protect the food supply. This research uses protein language models and agentic AI to identify plant immune proteins that recognize disease-causing microbes, and automate the design of genetic edits that give crops pathogen protection.
   
• Dr. Anna Romanov – Biological Engineering – Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering programmable molecular technologies to uncover fundamental immunological principles and improve human health. Specifically focusing on how B cells evolve and how those insights can be applied to develop new vaccines and immunotherapies. 
•  Dr. Katherine Lagerstrom – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology – Princeton University. Studying how human-driven environmental change reshapes the gut microbiomes of wildlife and affects interactions between animals and their microbes. The research examines how pollution and exposure to human-associated bacteria influence microbial adaptation and the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, with potential consequences for both wildlife and human health. 
• Dr. Clarissa Do Ó – Astronomy & Planetary Sciences – California Institute of Technology. Developing technologies and observing strategies for the direct imaging of exoplanets – planets that orbit stars outside our Solar System. This work develops techniques to enable the detection of Earth-like exoplanets, which are 10 billion times fainter than their stars, helping us understand our place in the Universe.
• Dr. Tana Pottorf – Neuroimmunology -The Ohio State University. Studying how macrophages—immune cells that respond to injury—can be guided to improve recovery and prevent complications after spinal cord injury (SCI). The research aims to promote their helpful effects and limit their harmful ones, while examining how the function changes over time and anatomical location.

“L’Oréal USA’s For Women in Science program has awarded incredible scientists at a critical moment in their career journey for more than two decades,” said Marissa McGowan, Chief Sustainability Officer for L’Oréal North America. “Through mentorship and connection, the program supports awardees while also recognizing each of their dedication to inspiring future generations of scientists..”

The FWIS program, the U.S. component of the global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International program, embodies the belief in the essential role of women in science and aims to create community and connection for women postdoctoral researchers as they pursue ambitious research projects and attain leadership positions in their fields. Since 2003, the L’Oréal USA FWIS program has supported more than 115 remarkable women scientists, awarding over $5.6 million in grants.

L’Oréal USA will honor the 2026 For Women in Science recipients at an awards ceremony in New York City on October 22, 2026 following three days of programming aimed to inspire connection and foster community  Experiences include a tour of L’Oreal’s North America Research and Innovation Center in Clark, NJ, mentorship and  idea exchanges with internationally recognized women in science, valuable professional development on scientific communication alongside the National Geographic Storytellers Collective, and candid conversations on navigating and advancing careers in STEM.

“Whether they are advancing vaccine development, protecting our food supply, or helping patients recover from spinal cord injuries, this year’s awardees demonstrate the extraordinary power of science to improve lives,” said Travis York, Director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Center for STEMM Education & Workforce (CSEW). “Equally inspiring is their commitment to opening doors for the next generation of scientists. Through our longstanding partnership with L’Oréal USA, AAAS is proud to champion these exceptional researchers and our shared commitment to advancing scientific discovery, expanding opportunity, and ensuring science serves society.”

The candidates for the L’Oréal USA FWIS program are evaluated based on several factors, including their research potential, scientific excellence, and their commitment to supporting future generations of women and girls in science. For more information about the L’Oréal USA 2026 For Women in Science Awardees or to apply for the 2027 program, please visit https://www.aaas.org/programs/loreal-usa-women-science.

About L’Oréal USA
L’Oréal USA is the largest subsidiary of the L’Oréal Groupe, the world’s leading beauty company. Through its management of over 35 iconic beauty brands, L’Oréal USA has generated more than $11 billion in sales annually. Products are available across all distribution channels including hair salons, department stores, mass market, pharmacies, medi-spas, e-commerce and more. L’Oréal USA’s commitment to growth is generated through sustainable innovation and driven by the company’s L’Oréal for the Future ambition which demonstrates sustainable development across the Group’s value chain. The company is headquartered in New York City, employs more than 12,000 people, and operates administrative, research, manufacturing and distribution facilities across 16 states.

About For Women in Science
The L’Oréal USA For Women in Science (FWIS) program awards five women postdoctoral scientists annually with grants of $75,000 each for their contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields and commitment to serving as role models for younger generations. Since 2003, L’Oréal USA’s FWIS program has supported more than 115 outstanding women postdoctoral scientists from across the country, awarding over $5.6 million in grants. L’Oréal USA partners with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) to manage the program’s application and peer-review process. The program is the U.S. component of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International program, a global philanthropy created in 1998 that has recognized and rewarded over 4,700 women scientists from more than 140 countries.

About AAAS
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is one of the world’s largest general scientific societies and publisher of the journal Science, as well as Science Translational Medicine; Science Signaling; a digital, open-access journal, Science Advances; Science Immunology; and Science Robotics. AAAS was founded in 1848 and includes more than 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. The nonprofit AAAS is open to all and fulfills its mission to “advance science and serve society” through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement, and more. For additional information about AAAS, visit www.aaas.org.

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