Celebrating Women Scientists Breaking Barriers: 2025 OWSD–Elsevier Awardees Honoured in Bogotá

It was a night of celebration, reunion, and inspiration at the OWSD 7th General Assembly in Bogotá, Colombia, where five exceptional women scientists were celebrated with the 2025 OWSD–Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World.

On Tuesday, 4 November, the awards ceremony brought together 25 alumni of the programme, along with representatives from Elsevier and the OWSD Secretariat. As the evening unfolded over cocktails and conversation, the atmosphere was one of shared pride and possibility; a gathering that celebrated not only individual achievement but the growing global network of women in science.

Among the five awardees, two were present to receive their recognition in person. Sarmila Tandukar of Nepal, founder of the Organization for Public Health and Environment Management, was honoured for her pioneering work in environmental health, medical microbiology, and the prevention of waterborne diseases. Alejandra Paniagua-Avila of Guatemala, currently based at Columbia University in the United States, was recognized for her research on mental health, psychiatric epidemiology, and systems science.

The three other 2025 awardees, Halima Sumayya Twabi (Malawi), Manal Badrasawi (Palestine), and Reem Obaydo (Syria), could not attend in person, but their contributions were celebrated throughout the evening. Each has made remarkable advances in their respective fields: maternal and child health research in Malawi, clinical nutrition in Palestine, and green chemistry and pollution reduction in Syria.

Together, the five scientists represent the extraordinary breadth and depth of women-led research in the Global South. Their work tackles some of the most pressing health and environmental challenges of our time and includes improving public health systems, advancing mental health care, developing sustainable chemical solutions, and supporting vulnerable communities.

The sense of community among the scientists, past and present, was unmistakable. Many alumni spoke about how the recognition had helped open doors, strengthen their confidence, and amplify their voices in the wider scientific community.

This year’s celebration in Bogotá reaffirmed that message. The OWSD–Elsevier Foundation Awards continue to shine a light on women whose research, leadership, and dedication are transforming science - and, through it, the world.