Who:

Rear Admiral Susan J. Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.A., former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General, the first Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women's Health, and Senior Global Health Adviser, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Andrew W. Reynolds, Acting Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State, will each deliver a keynote address at the L'Oreal USA Fellowships For Women in Science Awards Ceremony.

Both experts will address timely issues pertaining to the U.S. scientific community. An internationally-recognized medical expert and leading public health advocate, Dr. Blumenthal will discuss research and public policy affecting women's health as well as career advancement issues for women in science. Mr. Reynolds, a career civil servant and foreign policy expert in science, engineering and technology, will speak about the Obama administration's new emphasis on science and technology in diplomacy and development and the significant role women are playing.

What: 

The L'Oreal USA Fellowships For Women in Science Awards Ceremony recognizes and rewards five leading women scientists each with $60,000 grants, enabling them to continue their groundbreaking research. 

When & Where:

Thursday, September 23, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET

Newseum, Knight Conference Center, 7th Floor

55 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.

Why:

L'Oreal USA Fellowships For Women in Science was created to support the advancement of women in science and to address the issues related to underrepresentation of women in scientific fields. During the past seven years, L'Oreal USA has recognized and rewarded career contributions of 35 young postdoctoral women researchers in the life and physical/materials sciences, awarding more than $1 million in Fellowship grants.  

Keynote Speakers' Backgrounds:

Dr. Blumenthal has built a distinguished career in public health service. Her pioneering leadership over the past two decades in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and at the National Institutes of Health focused increased scientific and public attention on women's health issues, mental illness, and disease prevention including obesity. She was among the first to apply information technology to improve health, established the National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health program and the "Missiles to Mammograms" initiative that transferred CIA, NASA and DOD technology to improve cancer detection. In recognition of her leadership, Admiral Blumenthal has received numerous accolades, including being named Health Leader of the Year in 2009 by the Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS). She was also decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal - the highest honor of the USPHS, and named by the Medical Herald as one of the most influential women in medicine.

Mr. Reynolds began his esteemed career in Washington, D.C., as a researcher for energy and public health issues in the private sector.  During his 35 years as a career civil servant, he has served as the Department of Energy representative in the U.S. Mission in Paris and as S&T Counselor in the American embassy in Rome.  Mr. Reynolds was appointed Deputy Adviser in the State S&T office when it opened in 2000. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his superior performance and service, and received the Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards from the Department of State.

Contact:

Maureen O'Connell, Cone, Inc. for L'Oreal USA

617-939-8330; moconnell@coneinc.com