Making countless achievements in the field of science, these ladies are currently having their research developed and implemented. Though their branches are different all three of them have one goal in common: To improve the world especially in light of its plights and conflicts.
We met with three Lebanese women scientists who won the L'Oreal UNESCO - For Women in Science Award, and had an interesting talk with them.
Tamara Elzein
Research: Reduce the Negative Effects of Radioactive Materials
Tamara Elzein
She received the regional award from L’Oreal UNESCO for the Arab East. Elzein is a participating researcher in the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission at the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Lebanon.
Speaking about the award and its scientific implications, she said “There is a need to study radioactive contamination, its impact on the environmental system and its natural resources. So my research focuses on designing equipment to remove such contamination and gauge radioactive doses. For this reason, I am in the process of developing polymers with different chemical structures and functions that serve as traps for radionuclide. In addition I’m also using these substances as systems to reach effective, speedy and low-cost methods to gauge radioactive doses and define the identity of these nuclides.”
This project is supported by the World Atomic Energy Agency, through technical cooperation programs that encourage scientific programs with social and economic impact on the national and international levels.
“I am one of 15 scientists to receive this award for my scientific project,” said Elzain. “This award is special because of the moral support it presents and because it recognizes the importance and necessity of our scientific research. It proves that we don’t only work in Lebanon and the Arab World, but are working on an international level.”
Elzain believes the award came as recognition of the legitimacy and value of her research which pushes towards more development in the scientific fields. “We have indeed obtained positive results in recent months,” she added.
Having received her PhD in physical chemistry in 2002 from the Alsace University in France, Elzain has also been a researcher in the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission since 2014. In 2015, the National Council for Scientific Research appointed her as director of the PhD scholarship program and in 2016 she was named by the Francophone University Agency as member of its International Scientific Council which includes 27 international personalities that represent 116 countries. She was also a member of the Expert Committee for the Agency at the Middle East Office.
Elzain, who is also a wife and a mother of three, has been working since 2014 as a technical advisor for the national committee to curb the risk of chemical, biological and radioactive substances. She was further approved as a local expert for discrimination centers for the European Union.
Nazek El-Atab
Research: Reduce Electric Energy in Electronic Memories
Nazek El-Atab
A young Lebanese researcher at the age of 25, El-Atab became the youngest talent of the L’Oreal UNESCO fellowship in 2017. Explaining her scientific research, she said, “The majority of electronic devices in mobile phones, computers, cameras, medical equipment and military systems have become very small over the past decades. The problem we face now is that the shrinking of traditional technologies has reached their material limits. When the size of the device becomes smaller, the performance of their memories decomposes and this is a problem. Through my research, I aim to reduce consumed electrical energy in the memory of electronic devices. The long-term goal is to contribute to sustainable environment around the world.”
Currently pursuing her PhD in Multi-Specialty Engineering at Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Institute for Science and Technology, Lebanese-born El-Atab represents the United Arab Emirates for the Women in Science International Rising Talents award.”
“I would like to send a message to all Arab women in the field of technology,” said El-Atab. “Don’t be afraid to use your mental power, think, analyze, invent and work hard. These characteristics exist in men and women. So scientists should hold on to their dreams and ambitions to contribute to developing society through their work, knowledge and research. We need enlightened and innovative people to come up with various problems that exist in our world, whether they are environmental, health or economic,” she added.
Niveen Khashab
Research: Capsules for Breast Cancer to be activated through light
Niveen Khashab
An associate professor of Chemical Sciences and Engineering at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University for Science and Technology, Khashab is the 2017 laureate representing the MENA region.
Khashab was chosen from among 2,200 scientists from around the world to receive this award. “I was chosen because of the results of my research,” she said. “The last of my inventions was related to nano technology which is the science of tiny particles and devices used in various medical fields. These can be used to treat breast cancer, and now I am working to produce smart nano materials that only destroy cancerous cells without affecting healthy cells in the body. The chemical treatment of breast cancer will only be limited to a small capsule without bringing negative effects such as hair fall.”
“This research is being tried on lab mice, and results have been positive so far, and they will go through many stages before using them on humans. I received this award which is only presented to five women every year, and I make sure I follow up on science and technology in the Arab World,” she added.
Khashab confirmed that all female scientists are able to have international distinction, as well as being wonderful wives and mothers.
A mother to three children, Khashab has an impressive record that qualifies her to become a distinguished future ambassador for the Middle East. She has contributed to more than 70 publications and supervised 13 students, while currently supervising eight students; four men and four women.
