Women's Impact Award: Watch the award ceremony live
Falling Walls Science Summit
The Female Science Talents programme aims to inspire and promote talented women in science.
At this year's Falling Walls Science Summit, the Volkswagen Foundation and other partner organisations are sponsoring the "Women's Impact Award" from "Female Science Talents". The three winners will be honoured at the live award ceremony on 7 November at 5:30 PM.
For the first time, the Women's Impact Award (Female Science Talents) category is part of the Falling Walls Global Call for Scientific Breakthroughs of the Year. With this award, "Falling Walls Female Science Talents" aims to recognise women in science who are conducting research related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme is looking for exceptional talents who conduct interdisciplinary, ground-breaking research in their respective fields and contribute to gender equality and diversity in science and research. The Volkswagen Foundation supports the Women's Impact Award together with the Elsevier Foundation.
The three nominated projects were selected by a top-class jury and the award ceremony, which will be broadcast live, will take place on 7 November 2024 in Berlin as part of the International Fall Gathering organised by Female Science Talents.
Women's Impact Award 2024: the winners
Inge Katrin Herrmann (Zürich University)
Inge Katrin Herrmann is leading a transformative initiative to close the significant gap in women’s health research. Through her W-HEALTH program, she is pioneering medical material innovations that address critical women’s health issues, from endometriosis to gynecological cancers. Her work aims to overcome the systemic neglect of women's health, offering new hope for improved treatments and better health outcomes.
Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades (RSL Revolutionary Labs Ltd, Theramir Ltd, Promed Bioscience Ltd)
Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades is breaking new ground in the field of cancer care through a holistic approach that prioritises patient well-being. Her work across three co-founded biotech companies— Theramir Ltd, Promed Bioscience Ltd, and RSL Revolutionary Labs Ltd—integrates cutting-edge researchto deliver personalised cancer therapies and innovative dermaceuticals. Her efforts are reshaping oncological care, offering comprehensive solutions that enhance the quality of life for patients.
Antonia Saktiawati (Universitas Gadjah Mada)
Antonia Saktiawati is driving a groundbreaking initiative to revolutionise tuberculosis screening in Indonesia, with a focus on gender equality and diversity in science. Her interdisciplinary approach brings together experts from various fields to tackle the TB epidemic, particularly in remote areas. By fostering collaboration with stakeholders and industry partners, Antonia’s work not only advances scientific innovation but also empowers communities, making strides toward ending TB and promoting global health equity.
Science Breakthrough of the Year
From the three winners, the jury will select one project as "Science Breakthrough of the Year" in the "Women's Impact" category. The winner will be presented on the big Breakthrough stage at the Falling Walls Science Summit on 9 November 2024; the event will be broadcast live.
Falling Walls Science Summit
Since its inception in 2009, Falling Walls Science Summit has become a leading international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral forum for scientific breakthroughs and dialogue between science and society. The event takes place every year from November 7 to 10 in Berlin, commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall. It brings together global leaders from academia, business, politics, media, and civil society to debate the potential of scientific breakthroughs to solve grand challenges and shape a sustainable future.