Working with Unesco, the L'Oreal Foundation recognises the dedication and hard work of women around the world in improving our lives
This year's Malaysian recipients are cancer researcher Shivaani Mariapun, associate professor of University of Malaysia Terengganu Dr Wan Iryani Wan Ismail and senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia Dr Lim Way Foong. Each received a grant of RM30,000 that will go towards their respective research.
Shivaani Mariapun
Shivaani considers herself lucky that she grew up in an environment that encourages science education. Her parents were instrumental in influencing her to choose a career that contributes beyond self-interest in order to achieve real job satisfaction.
As such, she has chosen to study cancer, in particular breast cancer since the disease is the leading cause of deaths among women in Asia. The PhD student at University of Nottingham Malaysia going is on a mission to improve breast cancer detection via more effective screening methods.
"We now know that the risk of developing breast cancer is not equal in all women. Providing the same screening recommendation to all women is therefore inefficient," she notes. "By tailoring screening according to risk profiles, we may detect cancer earlier and avoid unnecessary anxiety and distress in women."