Serbian-American scientist Gordana Vunjak-Novaković has been awarded the prestigious “L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science” award for 2026. The ceremony at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters recognized her groundbreaking work in bioengineering human tissues and enhancing health outcomes. As a professor at Columbia University, she has pioneered technologies for growing patient-specific bone grafts and engineering lungs for transplants, setting new standards in medical science.
Vunjak-Novaković is a leader in regenerative medicine, focusing on repairing or replacing damaged cells, tissues, and organs. Her lab at Columbia develops “organs-on-chips,” systems that mimic the complexity of human diseases like cardiomyopathies and metastatic cancers. These technologies allow scientists to study diseases and test therapies under conditions closely resembling the human body, paving the way for personalized medicine.
The award celebrates her vision of creating universal stem cells to regenerate vital organs without immunosuppressive therapies post-transplantation. She describes her approach as a “workshop for the body,” aiming to heal injured or diseased organs for longer, healthier lives. “Our vision is to grow biological replacements by giving cells ‘instructions’ on forming functional tissues tailored to each patient,” she explained, highlighting the potential for personalized therapies.
This year’s laureates were chosen from 504 nominations across 89 countries, underscoring their global impact on health and environmental challenges. Alongside Vunjak-Novaković, other honorees include Professor Lizl Cilke for cardiac research, Professor Felise Džaka for psychiatry advances, and Professor Sara A. Tajhman in cell biology. These awards highlight women’s critical role in advancing scientific research despite systemic barriers.
The “L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science” program, now in its 28th year, has supported over 5,000 female scientists from more than 140 countries. Since 1998, it has awarded 142 international prizes, with seven laureates later winning Nobel Prizes in science. Jean-Paul Agon, President of the L’Oréal Foundation, emphasized empowering women in science and celebrated reaching a milestone of supporting 5,000 women advancing scientific knowledge.
UNESCO’s Director-General Khalid el-Enani stressed that science reaches its full potential when inclusive of all talents and that empowering women is essential for innovation and sustainable development. “The 2026 laureates embody the transformative power of science when diversity flourishes,” el-Enani stated.
