María Guadalupe Guzmán: Cuban scientist recognized with UNESCO Women and Science award

September 30, 2021

The Cuban specialist in infectious diseases María Guadalupe Guzmán obtained the UNESCO award Women in Science in its 2022 edition for her research on dengue, the multilateral organization reported this Thursday.

In a statement, UNESCO clarified that the doctor in Sciences and director of Research, Diagnosis and Reference at the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) is one of five awardees by geographic regions in the 24th edition of the prize awarded jointly with the French company L'Oréal.

According to the UN organization focused on education, science and culture issues, Guzmán stands out for her pioneering work for a better understanding of dengue, a disease present especially in intertropical zones, which infects between 50 and 100 million people worldwide each year. The professor's research has made it possible to better understand the pathogenesis of dengue, the treatment of its symptoms and its prevention, it emphasized.

In addition to the Cuban scientist, the L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science award was deserved by American biochemist Katalin Kariko (North America), Chinese neuroscience expert Hailan Hu (Asia Pacific), Rwandan professor Agnès Binagwaho (Africa and Arab States) and Spanish embryology specialist María Ángela Nieto (Europe).

The multilateral body recalled that since 1998 it has awarded the prize to researchers who stand out for their contribution in life sciences and the environment. Recent years have shown more than ever the importance of science in responding to the great challenges the world must face and, to be effective, science must rely on all talents, it stated in the statement.

Likewise, UNESCO's director general, Audrey Azoulay, highlighted the growing role of women in sciences, which in addition to contributing to gender equality, represents a contribution to humanity, which she considered an example for girls and women throughout the world, and a stimulus to pursue scientific careers.