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L’Oréal USA Names 2026 For Women in Science Awardees

Five postdoctoral scientists receive grants, mentoring and networking.

L’Oréal USA has named the 2026 For Women in Science (FWIS) awardees, providing five women postdoctoral scientists grants to advance their research.

The program, a cornerstone of the company’s efforts over two decades, reflects the commitment to supporting women in shaping their future and making a difference in society through scientific research, according to the company. 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.

“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 2026 FWIS Cohort

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.

The FWIS program, the US 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 Thursday, Oct. 22 following three days of programming aimed to inspire connection and foster community Experiences include a tour of L’Oréal’s North America Research and Innovation Center in Clark, 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.

To apply for the 2027 program, go here.

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