Five Pioneering Women Scientists from the Global South Honored with the 2025 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Transformative Health Research

In a continuing effort to recognize and accelerate the careers of outstanding women scientists in the global South, the 2025 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists has been presented to five exceptional researchers — just ahead of International Women’s Day (8 March). These scientists have made significant contributions to health sciences, advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being. The research conducted by this year's winners spans a diverse range of critical health issues, from innovative approaches to maternal and child health, sustainable pharmaceutical analysis, environmental health interventions, and advancements in mental health care. Their work not only addresses some of the most pressing health challenges in their respective regions, but also serves as a beacon of leadership, mentoring and community engagement.

Jennifer Thomson, President of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) said “These five exceptional scientists are addressing health challenges faced by their communities with groundbreaking research and innovative solutions. This award celebrates not only their scientific achievements, but also their leadership in inspiring future generations of women scientists to drive change where it is needed most.”

This year’s winners are:

• Manal Badrasawi, Palestine, Al Najah National University: Health sciences, clinical nutrition

• Reem Obaydo, Syria, Ebla Private University: green chemistry, public health impact of hazardous chemicals, environmental pollution reduction

• Alejandra Paniagua-Avila, Guatemala, Columbia University, USA: mental health, psychiatric epidemiology, systems science

• Sarmila Tandukar, Nepal, Organization for Public Health and Environment Management: environmental health, medical microbiology, waterborne diseases

• Halima Sumayya Twabi, Malawi, University of Malawi: causal inference for maternal and child health and behavioural studies; longitudinal and survival analysis for health research

“These awards are our way of celebrating the incredible women scientists who are leading the charge in health research in regions that need it the most,” explained Ylann Schemm, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation. “By spotlighting their work, we aim to inspire the next generation of women scientists and underscore the critical need for innovative changemakers to support health research for sustainable development”.

Since its inception in 2013, the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award has recognized the groundbreaking work of 69 women scientists from over 30 global South countries. The award includes a cash prize of USD $5,000 for each winner and a travel grant to attend a relevant conference in their field, providing essential networking opportunities. This year, the awardees will attend the World Health Summit opens in new tab/window in October 2025, where they will have the chance to present their research and connect with other experts in their fields.

Past award recipients have been celebrated by local, national and international media, have had the opportunity to meet their countries' leaders, have been appointed as Ministers of Science and Technology in their countries, and have received further prestigious honors, including the L'OREAL-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowships.

Notes for editors

Short bios and quotes from the 2025 winners:

Manal Badrasawi – Associate Professor, An-Najah National University

“Receiving this award is an incredible achievement and demonstrates how essential women are to the advancement of science. This distinction increases my determination to advance clinical nutrition and women's health research. It not only supports my research, but also fosters collaboration, innovation, and mentoring for future female scientists. I hope that this achievement encourages more women to seek careers in research, so contributing to a brighter future.”

Dr. Manal Badrasawi is a clinical nutrition scientist from Palestine, specializing in clinical nutrition, women’s health, geriatric nutrition and public health. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles on dietary behaviors, nutritional epidemiology and chronic disease management – and leads research on food insecurity, aging and nutritional health in Palestine. Dr. Badrasawi has developed educational resources and tools such as the Palestinian Food Atlas to improve nutrition assessment and education. She is committed to community-oriented research addressing food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable populations, and has developed educational resources, including illustrated food exchange lists, nutritional modules for specific patient populations and a photographic food atlas.

Reem Obaydo - Head of Analytical and Food Chemistry Department, Ebla Private University, Syria

“This award is a testament to the resilience of women in science, especially those striving to make an impact despite adversity. Conducting research in a war-affected country with limited resources has been a profound challenge, but it has strengthened my commitment to sustainable scientific practices that safeguard public health and the environment. This recognition fuels my mission to rebuild Syria’s higher education sector, empower young women in research, and foster global collaborations to bridge scientific inequality. Through resilience, innovation, and partnerships, we can drive lasting change in science and society.”

Dr. Reem Obaydo is a Syrian pharmaceutical analytical chemist and educator committed to green analytical chemistry. Her research plays a vital role in improving public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of medicines, developing eco-friendly methods for pharmaceutical analysis while minimizing environmental and health risks. Despite the challenges of war, economic constraints and a lack of research infrastructure in her country, Dr. Obaydo remains committed to mentoring young researchers. She also supports Syrian women in conflict-affected areas by providing guidance on mental health management, ensuring accessible care for those in need. She also collaborates internationally and advocates for sustainable scientific research and safer practices in pharmaceutical laboratories.

Alejandra Paniagua-Avila – Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University (USA); President and Co-founder, Asociación para la Salud Mental Saqirsán

“I feel extremely grateful and excited to receive this Award with a stellar group of women scientists. This award has reminded me about why I do the work I do – I love doing science and research to inform the development of mental health interventions for those who are in need but do not receive care. I also feel extremely grateful for my mentors, friends, and collaborators who have supported me and have been part of this work. I feel motivated to keep doing this work while seeking support and collaborations from other women scientists.”

Dr. Alejandra Paniagua-Avila is a Guatemalan medical doctor focused on advancing access to mental health services for marginalized populations, focusing on serious mental conditions associated with psychosis, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Her research, conducted with Maya Indigenous populations and others that experience health disparities due to historical discrimination and social exclusion, uses participatory approaches to design and evaluate mental health interventions. With over 30 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Paniagua-Avila co-founded Asociación para la Salud Mental, a nonprofit to promote mental health recovery in Guatemala. She is committed to strengthening research capacity for mental health in Guatemala, and mentors students pursuing public health careers.

Sarmila Tandukar – Research Fellow, Policy Research Institute, Nepal

“I am extremely honored to be the recipient of the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award in Inclusive Health for 2025." This acknowledgment is not only a personal accomplishment; it also serves as evidence of the value of environmental health research and wastewater surveillance in safeguarding public well-being. This award will further inspire me to address global health challenges, particularly in low-resource settings. It reinforces the critical role of science in shaping policies, strengthening disease prevention strategies, and ensuring equitable access to clean water and sanitation. I am grateful for this opportunity to advance research that supports public health and sustainable development worldwide.”

Dr. Sarmila Tandukar is a Nepali environmental engineer whose research bridges environmental microbiology and public health – helping to improve infectious disease preparedness, build public health infrastructure and advance global health security. She focuses on environmental monitoring and wastewater surveillance to detect pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes. Her interdisciplinary work supports the development of water safety regulations and disease control strategies, providing critical insights into disease transmission and public health risks. Dr. Tandukar’s research provides scientific evidence for policymakers, contributing to the development of water safety regulations, wastewater treatment guidelines and disease control strategies at both national and global levels.

Halima S. Twabi – Associate Professor, University of Malawi

“This award is a defining moment in my career, giving me a chance to share my research work and its impact on a global platform. Beyond personal recognition, it represents an opportunity to inspire and empower other women scientists, reminding them that their work is valuable and they should believe in their potential to provide meaningful contributions. This award serves as a reminder that the sky is never the limit, there is always room to grow, achieve more, and make an even greater impact.”

Dr. Halima Twabi is a Malawian biostatistician using advanced statistical methods to study health disparities among vulnerable populations. Her research addresses maternal HIV effects, childhood overweight and other health issues in disadvantaged communities. Her research has also utilized innovative statistical methods to investigate the influence of unhealthy food consumption on childhood overweight, a growing challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2020 L’Oréal-UNESCO Young Talent Award for Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr. Twabi is involved in initiatives to strengthen women’s research capacity and serves in leadership roles with various scientific organizations. She is also the Malawi country lead of the 'Strengthening Women's Research Network and Capacity to Address Women's Health in Sub-Saharan Africa' project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Grand Challenges.

About OWSD

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World opens in new tab/window (OWSD) provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world. OWSD has more than 10,500 members and runs various programs, including the PhD fellowship programme opens in new tab/window with over 400 successful graduates from Least Developed Countries and sub-Saharan Africa, as well as an Early Career fellowship programme opens in new tab/window providing research grants, with over 100 fellows and alumnae, and a Master’s scholarship for refugee women scientists launched in 2024. OWSD is the only international forum to unite women scientists from the developing world with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD is a programme unit of UNESCO and is affiliated with The World Academy of Science opens in new tab/window (TWAS). It is based in Trieste, Italy, with 57 national chapters throughout the developing world. www.owsd.net opens in new tab/window

About The Elsevier Foundation

The Elsevier Foundation opens in new tab/window contributes over $1.5 million a year to non-profit organizations through partnerships which incubate new approaches, highlight inequities, and catalyse change toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Funded by Elsevier, a global information analytics company specializing in science and health, the Elsevier Foundation is part of Elsevier’s wider corporate responsibility program. By leveraging Elsevier’s networks and unique insights in content, data and analytics, the Elsevier Foundation is able to expand its impact in gender, health, climate action and reduced inequalities. Since 2005, the Elsevier Foundation has contributed over $16 million in grants to over 100 partners in 70 countries around the world. In addition, the Elsevier Foundation offers a special fund to support disaster relief, matching employees’ donations, and volunteering to enable employees to work closely with Foundation partners and support their communities.

About Elsevier

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