3 days ago
UWC's Priscilla Baker honoured with prestigious L'Oréal–UNESCO award
Professor Priscilla Baker of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), is among five winners of this year's L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards.
Image: Supplied
Professor of analytical chemistry at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Priscilla Baker, is among five winners of this year's L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards.
These researchers will be recognised for their contributions to physical sciences, mathematics and computer science at the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) headquarters in Paris, on June 12.
Professor Baker was honoured for her contribution in the field of electrochemical microsensors for detecting contaminants in the environment, with applications in pharmaceuticals, food, health and energy.
According to a statement, her dedication as a mentor in analytical electrochemistry has empowered students and early-career scientists to undertake innovative research projects in this field.
She was named as the winner, also referred to as the laureate, for Africa and the Arab states.
Growing up in Bellville South, Baker said she sometimes went to her old high school to motivate learners.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
She graduated with a BSc in Physical Oceanography from the University of Cape Town in 1990.
'The practical component of oceanography required long periods at sea, but the boats were not equipped for women, and the crew were not ready to accept a person of colour as a professional," she said.
She then shifted to analytical chemistry, excelling under the mentorship of Professor Andrew Crouch and later earned her PhD in Chemistry from Stellenbosch University.
Professor Priscilla Baker of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), is among five winners of this year's L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards.
Image: Supplied
"By actively sharing my journey, I have become a tangible example for female students to explore careers based on capability, not stereotypes," she said.
Professor Baker is also the co-director of the SensorLab research group at UWC with Prof Emmanuel Iwuoha.
The laureates were selected from a pool of 466 nominees and were announced on May 26.
'By celebrating the 2025 Laureates and each new generation of female researchers, we move closer to a world where the contributions of women are fully valued in every scientific field, and where we all benefit from their achievements,' said Lidia Brito, assistant director-general for Natural Sciences at UNESCO.
Cape Argus
