Dr Jane Coons wins L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science UK and Ireland Rising Talents Award 2023

Dr Jane Coons, Supernumerary Teaching Fellow in Mathematics, is one of five winners of this year’s L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science UK and Ireland Rising Talents Award.

The L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science partnership was founded in 1998 in the belief that the world needs science and science needs women. Recognising that women scientists are leading ground-breaking research across the world but that, despite their remarkable discoveries, women still only represent one-third of researchers globally, the award gives women scientists the recognition they deserve.

The award is specifically for women postdoctoral scientists as they work to establish themselves and forge paths towards a permanent research career. It provides flexible and practical financial support, alongside tools and support, for early career women scientists to pursue their research.

Dr Jane Coons’ research is in the field of algebraic statistics where she uses tools from algebra and combinatorics to explain the geometry of statistical models. She received her PhD from North Carolina State University in 2021 and is currently an early career fellow at St John’s and an affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford’s Mathematical Institute.

Commenting on the award, Dr Coons said:

‘I’m truly honoured and delighted to have been selected for this award from such a competitive pool of outstanding women scientists. I look forward to using this award to give back to my applied algebra research community. I am so grateful for the support that I’ve received, and continue to receive, from the St John’s mathematics community as I advance in my academic career.’

Read more about the candidates shortlisted for the award here.