Nancy Ip, director of both the Department of Biochemistry and the Biotechnology Research Institute of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, has won the much coveted "L'OREAL-UNESCO Award 2004" for the Asia-Pacific region, in Paris, France. 

It is the first time for a Chinese woman working in the field of Life Sciences to win the "L'OREAL-UNESCO Award," which is sometimes called "The Nobel Prize for Women."

Professor Ip, the only winner in the Asia-Pacific region, is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and a world-renowned expert in the areas of neurotrophic factors and neuronal signal transduction.

Her pioneering research has provided important insights into how proteins affect the differentiation and maintenance of neurons during brain development.

These findings have led to the identification of neurotrophic factors as potential pharmaceutical agents in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

According to the "For Women in Science" project which has been co-sponsored annually by L'OREAL and UNESCO since 1998, the awards set high value on appraising the entire career of professional women who have made outstanding achievements in the fields of pure science, applied science and public service.

Last year, CAS academician Li Fanghua won the award in the material science category.

Altogether, the program has recognized the past and potential achievements of 91 women scientists from 45 countries around the world.

(China Daily March 19, 2004)