At a solemn ceremony held last night at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Professor Gordana Vunjak-Novakovi\u0107 was awarded the prestigious international \u201cL\u2019Or\u00e9al\u2013UNESCO For Women in Science\u201d prize for 2026. The Serbian-American scientist, a pioneer of regenerative medicine and professor at Columbia University, was recognized as the laureate for North America for her exceptional contribution to the development of human tissue bioengineering and the advancement of human health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Vunjak-Novakovi\u0107 received the recognition for her pioneering work in the field of human tissue engineering, including the development of technologies for growing bone grafts tailored to each patient, as well as bioengineering of human lungs for life-saving transplants. Her research pushes the boundaries of regenerative medicine and opens new possibilities for the development of personalized therapies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A particularly significant contribution is the development of systems known as \u201corgans-on-a-chip,\u201d which faithfully reproduce the complexity of human diseases, including cardiomyopathies and metastatic forms of cancer. These technologies enable scientists to study diseases and test therapies in a way that is closer to real conditions in the human body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory at Columbia University, Professor Vunjak-Novakovi\u0107 and her team develop technologies for growing human tissues under laboratory conditions for body regeneration \u2013 from bone fracture healing to the recovery of damaged lungs, liver, and heart. Her long-term vision is the creation of universal stem cells that would enable the regeneration of vital organs without the need for immunosuppressive therapy after transplantation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Our work is often described as a workshop for the body, for treating injured or diseased organs, helping people live longer and healthier lives \u2013 said Professor Vunjak-Novakovi\u0107. \u2013 Our vision is to grow biological replacements for human tissues by giving cells \u201cinstructions\u201d on how to form functional tissues tailored to each patient. Ultimately, this work will enable effective personalized therapies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year\u2019s laureates were selected from a record 504 nominations from 89 countries around the world. The awards were given to scientists whose research makes a key contribution to solving global health and environmental challenges \u2013 from regenerative medicine and genomics to agricultural innovation and research on the impact of nutrition on mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alongside Professor Vunjak, awards were given to Professor Lizl Cilke for cardiac and cardiovascular systems (laureate for Africa and Arab states), Professor Felise D\u017eaka for psychiatry (laureate for Asia and the Pacific), Professor Sara A. Tajhman in the field of cell biology (laureate for Europe), and the laureate for Latin America and the Caribbean \u2013 Professor Raquel Lija \u010can in agricultural biotechnology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cL\u2019Or\u00e9al\u2013UNESCO For Women in Science\u201d program, which this year marks its 28th edition, has so far supported more than 5,000 scientists from over 140 countries worldwide. Since 1998, 142 international awards have been given, and as many as seven laureates later went on to win the Nobel Prize in science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking about the importance of the program, Jean-Paul Agon, President of the L\u2019Or\u00e9al Foundation, emphasized that women play a key role in the advancement of science, but still face systemic barriers that limit their full contribution to scientific research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
.@UNESCO<\/a> hosted the 2026 L\u2019Or\u00e9al\u2013UNESCO #ForWomenInScience<\/a> International Awards Ceremony at its Paris Headquarters, marking 28 years of advancing women in science.
These year\u2019s five laureates are transforming how we understand and respond to global health and environmental\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/c3jAzttoeX<\/a><\/p>— UNESCO \ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f #Education #Sciences #Culture \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf3 (@UNESCO) June 11, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>