5 researchers from developing countries are preparing to accept OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Awards for their work in the physical sciences.

They’re early-career researchers from Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ecuador, Guyana and Indonesia, and they’re being recognized for their outstanding work in the physical sciences – mathematics, physics and chemistry – and for mentoring young scientists in their communities. Their research runs the gamut from improving predictions of tsunami behavior, to using natural resources for energy storage, to developing water filters from recycled materials. And they have had to overcome formidable challenges to become scientists.

Dr. Dawn Iona Fox, a Lecturer at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, is being recognized for her research on converting local waste products into materials to solve environmental problems. Currently she is focusing on on improving drinking water quality at the household level for vulnerable communities and on “water-stress” events such as floods, storms and hurricanes. To this end, she is developing a household water treatment filter made entirely from recycled and locally available materials which could be deployed internationally.

In 2016, she co-founded a group called Women in Science & Engineering (WiSE) to support, empower and advocate for girls and women to pursue and flourish in STEM careers. Winning this award, she wrote, “gives me the confidence to continue my advocacy and outreach to encourage girls and women to consider STEM careers.”

Article adapted from: https://www.elsevier.com/connect/elsevier-at-aaasmtg-live-updates-with-women-in-science-winners#updates