One of Australia’s leading woman scientists, Professor Cory is the first Australian to be honoured with this international award.

The awards celebrate the work of leading women scientists around the world and provide significant financial support for the continuation of their research.

Professor Cory’s award recognises the outstanding quality of her research work in the field of molecular biology of the immune system and her singular contribution to leading-edge scientific advances.

It is one of five Women in Science Awards for 2001 presented to experienced researchers—one from each of the Europe/Middle East, USA, Africa, Latin America and Asia/Pacific geographic regions.

The formal presentation ceremony took place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

Each recipient received US$20,000.

Presented annually, the awards are decided by a specially-appointed UNESCO Jury, under the presidency of Nobel Prize for Medicine winner Professor Christian de Duve and composed of 14 eminent members of the international scientific community.

The five laureates for 2001 were selected from more than 135 candidates.

Accepting her award, Professor Cory reflected on how things had changed since her beginnings as a scientist in the early 60s.

‘It was quite difficult to become a scientist as a woman back then.

‘When I wanted to do my Ph.D. in Cambridge—and I needed a scholarship, of course, to go—the scholarships on offer were for men only.

‘Fortunately, there was one scholarship that did not make this stipulation and I was lucky enough to get it.

‘Today, of course, things have changed.

‘I still believe women need to be encouraged to pursue science as a career, however, and awards such as this help to highlight the valuable contributions women are making to scientific progress,’ Professor Cory said.