Henkel Honors Women Advancing Hair Science with the Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Innovation

Henkel is presenting the “Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Women in Science” for the third time.

(IN BRIEF) Henkel awarded the Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Women in Science to female researchers advancing hair science, recognizing both lifetime contributions and emerging talent. Winners received up to €10,000 in prize money and opportunities for collaboration with Henkel experts. Honorees included Prof. Congfen He, Prof. Kristen Irene LoSicco, and Prof. Malebogo Neo Ngoepe for their groundbreaking work, alongside early-career researchers Yuou Sha and Karoline Strobl for innovative projects. The award reflects Henkel’s commitment to diversity and gender equality in science while honoring the legacy of Martha Schwarzkopf, a pioneer in hair research.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 6-Dec-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — For the third consecutive year, Henkel (ETR: HEN3), a German chemical and consumer goods company as well as a global leader in sustainability, has honored female scientists advancing the field of hair research with the prestigious Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Women in Science. The 2024 award ceremony, held on December 5 in Düsseldorf, recognized outstanding contributions to hair science and presented winners with prize money of up to €10,000. Alongside financial recognition, Henkel provides opportunities for scientific collaboration, enabling awardees to network and further develop their research with support from Henkel experts.

The award reflects Henkel’s commitment to fostering gender equality and diversity in science, especially in areas where women remain underrepresented. “Through the Martha Schwarzkopf Award, we aim to celebrate and support talented female researchers while promoting diversity in scientific innovation,” said Frank Meyer, Senior Vice President Global R&D at Henkel Consumer Brands.

For the third time, Henkel is presenting the “Martha Schwarzkopf Award for Women in Science” to promote and honor outstanding female scientists in the field of hair research.

Recognizing Pioneers and Emerging Talents

This year, three female scientists were honored in the Lifetime Contributions category for their groundbreaking research:

• Prof. Congfen He (Beijing Technology and Business University, China): Known for her work on scalp health, hereditary hair loss, and premature greying.
• Prof. Kristen Irene LoSicco (New York University, USA): A medical researcher focusing on hair loss and scalp disorders.
• Prof. Malebogo Neo Ngoepe (University of Cape Town, South Africa): Researches the unique biophysical properties of curly hair, addressing gaps in published data.

In the Emerging Talents category, two early-career researchers were celebrated:

• Yuou Sha (Fudan University, China): Specializes in the pathogenesis of hair diseases, including treatments for hair loss and transplantation.
• Karoline Strobl (Medical University of Vienna, Austria): Co-founder and CEO of Foolproof Skin, an app translating complex dermatological research into consumer-friendly insights.

Andrea Sättler, Chair of the Martha Schwarzkopf Award jury, highlighted the achievements of the winners: “These brilliant scientists reflect the diversity and passion within hair research, each contributing innovative insights and advancing the field with their expertise.”

A Legacy of Innovation

The Martha Schwarzkopf Award commemorates its namesake, a pioneering entrepreneur in hair research and founder of the Schwarzkopf Hair Research Institute in the 1920s. Today, Schwarzkopf is Henkel Consumer Brands’ largest hair category, driving innovation through global laboratories and academies dedicated to advancing hair science.

By recognizing excellence in hair research and supporting women in science, Henkel not only honors its legacy but also reinforces its commitment to driving innovation and diversity in the field of hair care.

Media contact:

Hanna Philipps
Henkel
Corporate Media Relations
Headquarters, Düsseldorf/Germany
+49-211-797-3626
press@henkel.com

SOURCE: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA