Three researchers from the École Polytechnique have been recognized in the 2026 edition of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Prize. They are Kate Sorg, a doctoral student at the Laboratory of Optics and Biosciences (LOB), Sonia Mazelet, a doctoral student at the Centre for Applied Mathematics (CMAP), and Johanna Loyer, a postdoctoral researcher at the Computer Science Laboratory (LIX).
The institution also acknowledges the distinction of four of its alumnae: Justine Duval (X2019), Marie-Anne Carpine (thesis Paris Saclay, X2019), Brune Massoulié (thesis, X2019), and Maëlys Solal (Polytechnique Bachelor), highlighting their talent and journey since their studies at L'X.
This prize, supported by the L'Oréal Foundation, UNESCO, and the Academy of Sciences, honors young female researchers for the excellence of their work, aiming to encourage them and promote the visibility of women in science.
Kate Sorg's research focuses on the study of atypical DNA forms in extremophilic microorganisms. Her work, which for the first time demonstrates the presence of these forms in archaea, suggests they could be universal regulators of DNA functions, paving the way for promising applications in health and biotechnology. 'Several anti-cancer treatments specifically targeting these DNA structures are currently in clinical trials,' she explains.
Sonia Mazelet is developing a deep learning algorithm to analyze complex brain data. Her research, at the intersection of mathematics, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience, aims to better utilize functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to understand the brain's geometry, connections, and activity. These advancements could help in understanding various diseases or individual differences.
Johanna Loyer is investigating the robustness of new encryption systems against future quantum computers. She is studying key mathematical problems for post-quantum cryptography, such as the shortest vector problem (SVP) and the decoding problem, which are crucial for securing daily digital exchanges.
