L’Oréal USA today announced that MBARI researcher Anela Choy will be recognized as an International Rising Talent during the 20^th annual L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards in Paris on Wednesday, March 21^st. Each year, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program recognizes 15 outstanding young researchers around the globe for their scientific achievements to support and encourage them as they further pursue their scientific careers.

Choy is being honored as an International Rising Talent for her work at MBARI on how human activity such as fishing and pollution shape deep-ocean food webs. Marine food webs encompass and support all life in the ocean, and Choy’s innovative work combines multiple tools and perspectives to understand their structure and function. This research contributes fundamental understanding of how pollution and contaminants move through food webs, and will aid in developing strategies to sustainably manage and conserve ocean ecosystems into the future. In addition to being recognized as a 2018 International Rising Talent, Choy was also recognized as a 2016 L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellow.

The L’Oréal-UNESCO International Rising Talents program is dedicated to both honoring distinguished women scientists and supporting promising young women researchers through a 15,000 euros grant, mentorship support and international exposure. The International Rising Talents were chosen from the recent recipients of the For Women in Science fellowships awarded locally by L’Oréal subsidiaries worldwide, including the L’Oréal USA For Women in Science fellowship program.

“I’m humbled to have been selected as an International Rising Talent,” said Choy.  “I’m grateful that L’Oreal is committed to increasing the visibility and success of women in all fields of science.”

Article by Heidi Cullen

Video about Anela Choy’s research:

For additional information or images relating to this article, please contact: Kim Fulton-Bennett
831-775-1835, kfb@mbari.org