KUWAIT: The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) announced on Friday that two Kuwaiti scientists have been named winners of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Award for 2024 and 2025, in recognition of their outstanding scientific achievements in the fields of chemistry and genetics. In a statement posted on its official X platform, KFAS said Dr Intisar Al-Hatlani, professor of chemistry at Kuwait University, was awarded the 2024 prize for her pioneering work in Raman spectroscopy within the deep-ultraviolet range and its applications in forensics and materials analysis.
KFAS added that Dr Fatima Bahman, a researcher at the Dasman Diabetes Institute, received the 2025 award for her advanced research examining the genetic links between diet and inflammation and their impact on metabolic diseases. The Foundation noted that the awards were presented during a ceremony held in Dubai on Thursday evening, where a distinguished group of female scientists from across the Middle East were honored.
The annual event aims to support women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and to highlight their growing contributions to regional and global scientific progress. KFAS emphasized that the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program—an international initiative—continues to play a vital role in empowering women in scientific research by recognizing excellence, providing support, and inspiring the next generation of female researchers worldwide. — KUNA
