Female Chinese scientist Hualan Chen received the L’Oreal UNESCO Women in Science Award for her work on the avian flu virus which led to the development of a life-saving vaccine. (Photo : Reuters)
China’s Hualan Chen was among five women from around the world recognized at the L’Oreal UNESCO Women in Science Awards in Paris for their ground-breaking research, CCTV's Richard Bestic reported.
According to the report, Hualan received the award for her work on the avian flu virus, which made her a lifesaver and this year's laureate recipient of the world science community.
"By getting this award that means my contribution to science has been recognized in a higher level. So, that's why I think this is important to me, it means a lot," said Hualan, who is based in northeastern China's Harbin City, known worldwide for its magical ice palaces.
The report said that Hualan had conducted her research work at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, where she tested more than a thousand samples of soil and water from areas infected by the deadly bird flu virus H7N9.
At least 114 billion doses were produced from two innovative new flu vaccines developed through Hualan's critical research, which saved lives across China and South East Asia, the report said.
"My goal is to use my knowledge and my expertise to try to protect animals and humans from this deadly virus and it will be very, very lucky if we can eliminate this virus in the near or far future," Hualan said.
A jury composed of her scientific peers had judged Hualan Chen and found her work to be world-class.
"In China, she's done absolutely groundbreaking work in something that's so important: understanding the avian influenzas and what it can do--but very importantly what that impact can be on humans," Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, the president of the L'Oreal UNESCO jury, said.
For nearly two decades, the Paris award has been honoring women from around the world for their contribution to life-saving science, which have inspired thousands of young girls who look up to them as heroines and devote themselves to science.
