Dr. Keller from Oxford University receives L’Oréal UNESCO Scientific Talent Fellowship

It is so important to introduce young women who want to pursue STEM careers to positive female role models and show them that these paths are not only achievable, but accessible. The L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Prize encourages women at critical junctures in their careers to pursue research in STEM fields, providing flexible funding to help address this issue, many of which remain male-dominated. plays an important role in.

Dr Sarah Keller, School of Engineering, University of Oxford

The L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Program awards five prestigious grants each year to outstanding female postdoctoral researchers in the fields of physical sciences, engineering, mathematics and computing, life sciences, and sustainable development.

This year, Dr. Keller received the Engineering Rising Talent Award for his work developing an ultrasound molecular imaging probe for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial infections, with the aim of creating new tools for image-guided interventions. I received an award.

Dr Keller said: “It is an incredible honor to receive this award and it is wonderful to share it with other very impressive female scientists and engineers across the UK and Ireland. ” he said. I am very grateful to my academic supervisors who have provided me with great support. Specifically, Professor Mike Averkiou (my PhD supervisor) from the University of Washington, and Professors Eleanor Stride, Konstantin Kusios, and Robin Cleveland from the University of Oxford. And of course, my own mother, who is also an engineer and has provided me with a great role model for what it means to be a woman in STEM. ”

Dr. Keller first joined the School of Engineering’s Biomedical Ultrasound, Biotherapeutics, and Biopharmaceutical Laboratory (BUBBL) as a postdoctoral fellow in November 2021 to work on the Beyond Antibiotics program. Her initial research focused on using high-intensity focused ultrasound as a new antibiotic by mechanically disrupting biofilms produced by infectious bacteria. Her passion and success in this complex and challenging field led her to successfully apply for her own independent research funding through the Glassstone Research Fellowship, awarded by the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Life Sciences at the University of Oxford. I did.

Since October 2023, Dr. Keller has been researching new ways to use contrast-enhanced ultrasound to specifically and quickly diagnose bacterial infections and reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing, which promotes antimicrobial resistance. . Ultimately, this could enable image-guided administration of antibiotics and reduce overuse. Her £25,000 funding from her Rising Talent Award will give her the freedom and flexibility to develop her ideas and establish her position as an independent researcher.

Dr. Sarah Keller

Caroline Noakes MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee and Sponsor of the L’Oréal UNESCO Women in Science Programme, commented: “Congratulations to this year’s L’Oréal UNESCO UK and Ireland Rising Talent Fellows for Women in Science.” Giving women scientists a platform and visibility is the responsibility of everyone in government, civil society, and business. Because if you can’t see that, you can’t be a woman. Neither the UK nor the world can successfully meet pressing environmental and social challenges unless we unlock the knowledge and talent of women scientists. ”

Professor Anne Anderson, Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO’s Executive Board, said: “Congratulations to the 2024 Rising Talents.” We are at a pivotal moment in scientific progress, and UNESCO is committed to promoting the importance of true gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and the important role that women play in a more just scientific society. continues to be emphasized. ”

The global partnership between L’Oréal and UNESCO for Women in Science has been established for 26 years. We support over 250 talented female researchers from 110 countries each year. The program in the UK is a partnership between L’Oréal UK & Ireland, the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Irish National Commission for UNESCO, and is supported by the Royal Society.

Further information about the award and the 2024 winners can be found on the website.