L’Oréal Groupe, in collaboration with UNESCO and with the support of Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), held the 2026 regional ceremony of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program in Lima, recognizing three women researchers from Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador. Representing Peru, Dr. Sheena Sangay, a researcher at the National Agrarian University La Molina, was recognized for her project on ectomycorrhizal fungi and their response to human activity in Amazonian and Peruvian Yungas ecosystems.
These fungi live in association with plant roots, contributing to plant nutrition and ecosystem functioning. The research seeks to understand how fungal communities vary in response to human interventions and how they relate to the characteristics of the soils in which they live.
The project will be carried out in three study areas: Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve in Loreto; Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park; and Posholl Private Conservation Area, both in Pasco. Researchers will analyze the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi and their relationship with soil conditions, with the aim of expanding knowledge of the underground biodiversity of these ecosystems.
Through these analyses, the research aims to generate evidence that can contribute to the development and strengthening of strategies for conservation, ecological restoration, and the sustainable management of tropical soils. Its findings may also provide further insight into how fungal communities respond to the pressures that human activities place on ecosystems.
“Receiving this recognition is an opportunity to highlight the importance of studying what often remains unseen but sustains life in our forests. Ectomycorrhizal fungi play a fundamental role in ecosystems, and understanding how they respond to human activity will allow us to generate knowledge that contributes to their conservation and the protection of our Amazonian forests,” said Dr. Sheena Sangay.
This recognition comes amid the ongoing challenges faced by women in science. According to UNESCO, women account for approximately 33% of researchers worldwide, and their representation declines as they progress in their careers, particularly in fields such as engineering, artificial intelligence, and applied sciences.
In Colombia, Peru, and Panama, a study conducted by L’Oréal Groupe and IPSOS Napoleón Franco identified access to the labor market, workplace conditions, and professional development opportunities as the main barriers facing women in STEM. According to the study, only one in three women who graduate from STEM fields goes on to pursue a doctoral degree. In addition, 53% of women believe their compensation reflects their talent and individual contribution, compared with 69% of men. These figures refer to the countries included in the study and provide regional context on the barriers women face throughout their scientific careers.
Commenting on the regional recognition, Eduardo Gotuzzo, President of L’Oréal Groupe for Central America and the Andean Region, emphasized the importance of continuing to create opportunities for women’s talent: “The recognition of Sheena and the other award-winning scientists highlights the importance of continuing to advance women’s talent in science and raising the profile of research that generates knowledge and can help address some of the challenges facing our region. At L’Oréal Groupe, we reaffirm our commitment to creating opportunities for more women to develop their scientific potential and make a positive impact in their communities.”
