Our colleague Dr. Irina Soboleva has received a national scholarship "For Women in Science" from L'OREAL -UNESCO. The scholarship is awarded in 112 countries, 10 women receive it every year in Russia. Irina won the scholarship for a study devoted to Bloch surface electromagnetic waves in photonic crystals.

The program "For Women in Science" is being implemented in Russia since 2007 with the participation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO, the UNESCO Office in Moscow and is a part of an international project of L'OREAL-UNESCO «For Women in Science». According to the contest the national scholarships applicants may be women under the age of 35, with a Ph.D. degree in physics, chemistry, medicine and biology, working in Russian research institutes and universities. The criteria for selecting Fellows are scientific achievements of the candidate, the significance and the practical benefits of her research, as well as the intention to continue a scientific career in Russia. During the 10 years of the program 95 young women researchers were awarded in Russia.