Dr. Sheena Sangay Wins L'Oréal-UNESCO Science Award
The researcher receives funding for her study of ectomycorrhizal fungi in Peruvian ecosystems.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Botany
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In 2026, researcher Dr. Sheena Sangay was recognized by the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program during a ceremony in Lima. She is receiving a grant to investigate how fungi respond to human activity in Amazonian and Peruvian Yungas ecosystems.
Why it matters
The project aims to generate evidence that can contribute to the development of strategies for the conservation and sustainable management of tropical soils. This work addresses the critical need to understand how human presence impacts fungal diversity.
Dr. Sangay will receive USD 10,000 to analyze the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi across 3 distinct study areas, including the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve, Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park, and Posholl Private Conservation Area.
The players
Dr. Sheena Sangay
She is a researcher at the National Agrarian University La Molina who studies fungal ecosystems.
L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science
This program provides recognition and funding to female researchers to promote gender equality in scientific fields.
The details
Researchers will examine the relationship between fungal diversity and changing soil conditions in the Amazonian and Peruvian Yungas regions. Dr. Sheena Sangay, a scientist at the National Agrarian University La Molina, is leading the project to provide data on tropical soil resilience.
Timeline
The regional ceremony for the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program took place in 2026.
The Big Picture
This award follows the established pattern of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program in supporting regional researchers to address localized environmental challenges. The L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program continues to recognize high-impact research from women scientists across international borders.
This research provides a scientific foundation for better management of tropical soils, which may lead to improved conservation practices in the Amazon. Establishing these soil management strategies is critical for maintaining agricultural and ecological stability in the region.
The takeaway
Dr. Sangay's work highlights the essential link between soil fungal health and broader environmental stability in tropical ecosystems. Future conservation efforts in the Amazonian and Peruvian Yungas may rely heavily on the baseline data generated by this study.
Further reading
For more on plant and fungal research, visit the Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UNESCO.
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