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A winner of the 2011 L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, Professor Vivian
Wing-wah Yam says she could not have done it without the backing of her family.
The road to scientific discovery is tougher for women than for men and Professor Vivian Wing-wah
Yam says she couldn't have succeeded without such a supportive family. The 47-year-old from Hong
Kong University was one of five women scientists, from each continent, to receive the 2011
L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards at a ceremony on March 3, at UNESCO
Headquarters in Paris. It is the 13th edition of the award since 1998.
Yam's long and fruitful research on solving the energy problem won her the prize for Asia and the
Pacific. There are several renewable and sustainable(可持續的) energy solutions, like solar power,
which could provide an unlimited source of energy. Some problems must be resolved, however, such as
the low efficiency of solar cells and their high supply costs. Yam and her colleagues hope to overcome
these problems by developing and testing new photoactive(光敏的) materials.
She became the third Chinese women scientist honored with the so-called "woman's Nobel Prize"
award, after Professor Li Fanghua from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2003, and Professor Ye
Ruyu from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2004.
"People think chemists are bad guys, but we are the good guys," Yam said in a humorous aside
before explaining her research project on photoactive materials in an earlier speech at L'Institut de
France. For Yam, chemistry is science, but also an art. Amazed by the universe, nature and color in her
childhood, Yam decided on a career in chemistry. "One of the beauties of chemistry is the ability to
create new molecules and chemical species. I have always associated chemists with artists, creating new
things with innovative(革新的) ideas," Yam said.
As a mother of two daughters, 12 and 14, Yam said she is lucky to have been supported by her
family. She was inspired as a child by her father, a professor in the Civil Engineering Faculty at Hong
Kong University. Yam added her husband, Mak Shingtat, a PhD in chemistry, who accompanied Yam
to the awards ceremony, was also fully supportive of her work. "I can't imagine how my career could
move on without his understanding and support," she said. "I often stay late at night in the laboratory. He
always waits for me outside."
Yam received her bachelor and PhD degrees from the University of Hong Kong (HKU). She taught
at City Polytechnic of Hong Kong before joining HKU as a faculty member, and headed the chemistry
department for two terms from 2000 to 2005. At 38, she was the youngest member elected to the
Chinese Academy of Sciences. She is also a Fellow of TWAS, the Academy of Sciences for the
Developing World, and was awarded the State Natural Science Award and the Royal Society of
Chemistry (RSC) Centenary Medal. 2011 is the 100th anniversary of Marie Curie's second Nobel Prize,
coinciding (一致的)with the International Year of Chemistry. Today, Curie is still a role model for women
in science.
Although the participation of women in science, is promoted by UNESCO, notably through
L'Oreal-UNESCO, there are still too few women doing high-level science, says UNESCO
Director-General Irina Bokova. The latest UNESCO report shows less than 40 percent of countries
provide girls and boys equal access to education.
Each year, the L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award recognizes 15 young women
from all over the world, especially developing countries, to encourage and finance their studies. More
than 200 young women scientists are currently supported. "I do not think there is a difference between
men and women in terms of their intellectual abilities and research capabilities (能力)," Yam said. "As
long as one has the passion, dedication and determination to pursue research wholeheartedly, one can
excel regardless of one's gender or background."
Yam said some young women, who require stability and security, often have to give up their research
because of family pressures. "The only way for women to succeed in science is to get the mental and
material support from family and society. There is a day-care center at my university, and my husband
and mother-in-law help a lot with the housework, so I am able to spend my time on research," she said.
"I have two young daughters, and it is too early to tell whether or not they want to pursue careers in
science. But, I will encourage them to always defend their ideas. To remain determined, and to never be
afraid of failure - this is the advice that they will need to succeed in realizing their dreams."
Yam also acknowledged her colleague's support, at the awards ceremony. "This (award) not only
recognizes me, but my colleagues and students and my country, China."
1. L'Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards is .
A. an award for the developing world
B. equal to Women's Nobel Prize
C. held for more than 14 times
D. only to in honour of Marie Curie
2.Why did Yam become a chemist? .
A. When she was young, she thought chemists were good.
B. She was amazed by the universe, nature and color in her childhood.
C. She wanted to find the beauties of chemistry.
D. She was encouraged by her supportive family.
3. What's Yam's view on men and women? .
A. Their intellectual abilities and research capabilities are the same.
B. Their passion, dedication and determination are the same.
C. Women require stability and security.
D. Women can't get the mental and material support from family and society.
4.Yam wins the award of UNESCO For Women in Science for .
A. her fruitful research on solving the environmental problem
B. doing research and test on new photoactive materials
C. inventing an unlimited resource
D. finding solutions on renewable and sustainable energy
5. The word "recognize" in the passage means .
A. admit or be aware of
B. be willing to accept sb/sth as valid or approve
C. show appreciation by giving an honor or award
D. know sb/sth again
6. For Yam, her winning the award mainly thanks to .
A. Her hard work
B. Tthe co-work from her students.
C. The help from her colleagues
D. The support from her family
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