UL Research Institutes-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women: Program Reaches 10 Year Milestone and Announces 2024 Winners

UL Research Institutes (ULRI) is a proud supporter of the UL Research Institutes-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women. Now in its tenth year, the awards program recognizes mid-career and senior women scientists from Southeast Asia for exhibiting exceptional leadership and ingenuity in their groundbreaking work. Hosted in Singapore on Oct. 11, “Climate Resilience and Adaptation” was the theme for the 2024 ceremony, recognizing the critical role scientific innovation plays in addressing climate challenges.

Organized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI) in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and ULRI, the prize is a prestigious platform that highlights the vital contributions of women in STEM fields across ASEAN’s 10 member states. With 100 applications this year, this annual prize continues to grow in influence and underscores the importance of implementing women-led solutions to environmental concerns.

“Congratulations to all the winners,” said ASEAN COSTI Chair Dr. H Seingheng. “We are excited to celebrate the 10th year of the Science Prize for Women, which continues to highlight the invaluable contributions of ASEAN women scientists. Their work plays a crucial role in fostering climate resilience and adaptation in the region.”

As we commemorate the 10-year anniversary of this program, ULRI is pleased to announce the 2024 winners and honorable mentions in the mid-career and senior career categories. The first-place winners receive a $12,500 award and honorable mentions are awarded $5,000.

Winners:

• Dr. Lam Yeng Ming (Singapore) won the award in the senior category. Her research focuses on the understanding, synthesis, and application of nanostructured functional materials aimed at fostering a sustainable and climate-resilient environment.

• Dr. Daphne Teck Ching Lai (Brunei Darussalam) won the award in the mid-career category. She applies data science and artificial intelligence to advance forest monitoring, water quality analysis, and green energy. She is the first scientist from this country to receive the award.

Honorable Mentions:

• Prof. Dr. Lariyah Mohd Sidek (Malaysia) develops techniques to enhance dam safety and resilience, providing dam owners with data-driven decision-making tools to maintain structural integrity.

• Dr. Go Yun Ii (Malaysia) conducts research on emerging technological advancements enabling energy transition toward net-zero carbon emissions.

This year’s focus on climate resilience emphasizes the indispensable role women scientists play in fostering sustainable development and addressing pressing environmental issues. Their contributions not only benefit their local communities but also have a significant impact on global sustainability efforts.

“ULRI is — and will always be — a champion for diversity in science,” said Deepa Shankar, director of partnerships for ULRI. “We are proud to support this important initiative that celebrates women's significant contributions to scientific research, particularly in STEM-related fields where more diverse points of view are needed. We are excited to celebrate 10 years of partnership, and we look forward to more opportunities to educate and empower women and young girls to pursue studies and careers in STEM.” 

As we look to the future, the UL Research Institutes-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women remains dedicated to its mission of fostering innovation and empowering women. This initiative is more than an award; it is a movement that champions the contributions of accomplished women in STEM, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. ULRI is committed to supporting and honoring these women scientists who will continue to make a difference in our world.

Photo credits: COSTI Singapore