Recent Press Releases

Women in Science laureate picks up award

Institute of Physics

Thu, 5 March 2009

Institute of Physics (IOP) Fellow Professor Athene Donald will be picking up her 2009 L’Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science today, 5 March, 2009.

The 2009 L’Oreal Laureate for Europe was awarded to Professor Donald for her research into soft matter physics which she undertakes at the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory. Her research within the sector of Biological and Soft Systems focuses on using ideas from soft matter physics to study a wide range of synthetic and biological systems, including, for example, recent work looking at the way protein molecules stick together that could help reveal what causes Alzheimer’s disease.

Athene is only the second Brit to win the Europe-wide award since the awards were established in 1998. Each year, the L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Award is presented to five leading women researchers, one per continent, who are role models for future generations of female scientists.
L’Oreal-UNESCO jury members awarded Athene the prize for her ‘unravelling of the physics of messy materials, ranging from cement to starch, and the development of novel electron and x-ray scattering methods’.

Athene was born in London and pursued both her undergraduate and graduate studies at Cambridge University, where she completed her doctorate degree in 1977. She then spent four years as a Postdoctoral Associate at Cornell University in the US, after which she returned to the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory.

On winning the award, Athene has said, “Having previously served on the jury in 2003, I know how fierce the competition is. It is very humbling to be awarded the prize myself but it also provides a wonderful opportunity to raise the profile of physics and to reach out to young women who are contemplating pursuing a career in the subject.”

Saher Ahmed, IOP Diversity Programme Officer said, “It is wonderful news that Athene has won this prestigious award. Along with receiving accolades for her academic achievements, she is an inspirational role model to young women and is incredibly supportive of the work of the Diversity Programme, in particular Project Juno, which is an initiative aimed at advancing women’s' careers in higher education physics.”

Peter Main, Director of Education and Science at the IOP said,"I am delighted that Athene has won this award. She is not only a truly outstanding scientist, she is also a natural leader and a wonderful role model for both men and women. Never has an award been more thoroughly deserved."

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