# L’Oréal Turkey Backs Women’s Health and 4 Scientists

> Marking the 24th year of its "For Women in Science" initiative in partnership with the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, L’Oréal Turkey has awarded research grants to four scientists, bringing the total number of supported researchers in Turkey to 132. Commemorating its 40th anniversary in Turkey, the company also partnered with endometriosis patient advocacy organization EndoTürkiye to launch the multidisciplinary "Women’s Health Research Network."

Published: 2026-10-14T11:44:00+00:00
Language: en
Categories: [Cosmetics and Personal Care](https://chemexworld.com/en/categories/sectors/cosmetics-and-personal-care.md)

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## Content

Originating 28 years ago through a partnership between the L’Oréal Foundation and UNESCO, the international initiative has supported more than 5,000 women scientists globally, with seven International Laureates subsequently receiving Nobel Prizes. In Turkey, over 100 program alumnae currently serve as full or associate professors, establishing L’Oréal Turkey among the program's top five contributing national markets.

In its 40th year of operations in the country, L’Oréal Turkey collaborated with EndoTürkiye to build an open-access scientific network. The platform connects obstetrics, gynecology, and endometriosis specialists with experts in nutrition, physical therapy, psychology, radiology, molecular genetics, and biomedical engineering.

### Disparity in Women’s Health Funding and Diagnostic Timelines

- **Global Funding Realities:** According to analysis by the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, only 8.8% of research grant allocations from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) between 2013 and 2023 were directed toward women’s health.
- **Endometriosis Diagnostic Delays:** Affecting roughly 190 million women globally, endometriosis diagnosis remains prolonged. A survey of more than 15,000 women in Turkey revealed that patients consult an average of four physicians, experiencing an average four-year delay between initial hospital presentation and clinical diagnosis. Additionally, 63% reported dismissal of symptoms, and 78% faced financial distress from medical costs.

### The Four 2026 Research Fellows and Their Focus Areas

1. **Assoc. Prof. Dr. Belgin Sever (Anadolu University):** Developing small-molecule drug candidates targeting mutant SOD1 toxic protein aggregation in cellular models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
2. **Assoc. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Toparlı (Middle East Technical University):** Designing resilient anode architectures for non-flammable, water-based zinc-air batteries for stationary renewable energy storage.
3. **Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tuğçe Nihal Gevrek Civan (Gebze Technical University):** Developing low-cost, portable diagnostic paper platforms functionalized through UV-mediated surface polymer chemistry.
4. **Prof. Dr. Zeliha Uğur Aydın (University of Health Sciences):** Utilizing CRISPRi functional genomics to investigate pulpal fibroblast signaling and cellular regenerative capacity in injured dental tissue.

![](https://chemexworld.com/storage/uploads/vanya_panayotova.jpg)

### Executive Commentary

**Vanya Panayotova, Country General Manager of L’Oréal Turkey:**

> Founded on scientific discovery 117 years ago, L’Oréal currently invests approximately €1 billion annually in R&D and employs over 4,000 researchers worldwide. Yet, globally, only one in three researchers is a woman. Science requires equitable participation to achieve its full societal potential. Through our 24-year program in Turkey, we have supported 132 women scientists, demonstrating to emerging female talents that advanced scientific careers are fully accessible.

**İrem Karaoda Tanrıkulu, Corporate Affairs and Engagement Director, Country Sustainability Lead:**

> Marking our 40th operational year in Turkey, we are broadening the scope of our scientific commitments. By supporting the Women’s Health Research Network alongside EndoTürkiye, we aim to direct scientific inquiry toward under-researched medical conditions, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and accelerate knowledge transfer to support earlier diagnosis and improved patient care.