Laura Torres Borda Receives L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Award

Early, non-invasive detection of health problems in horses: this is the focus of the research conducted by Laura Torres Borda at the Clinical Centre for Horses at Vetmeduni. She has now been awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Award, endowed with EUR 25,000, in recognition of her work. The ceremonial award presentation took place at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) in Vienna.

Photo: L’Oréal

Since 1998, the L’Oréal Foundation and UNESCO have been committed to supporting outstanding female scientists under the motto, “The world needs science – and science needs women.” In Austria, the programme has been supported since 2007 by L’Oréal Austria, the Austrian Commission for UNESCO, the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), and the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research.

This year, four outstanding early-career female scientists were once again honoured. One of them is Laura Torres Borda, a researcher at the Clinical Centre for Horses at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. Her research focuses on the social behaviour of horses and its significance for their welfare and quality of life. A key aspect of her work to date has been investigating how different housing conditions and changes in the social environment affect horses’ behaviour and well-being.

Building on this research, Torres Borda is examining whether changes in social behaviour can also provide early indications of health problems. To this end, she combines modern tracking technologies with behavioural and health data. Her approach is intended to help monitor horses’ welfare and health status non-invasively and enable the earlier detection of potential diseases.

The awards were presented in the presence of Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, ÖAW Vice President Ulrike Diebold, Sabine Haag, President of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO, and Stefan Lindenthal, Country Coordinator and Market Director Luxe at L’Oréal Austria.

The award, worth EUR 25,000 for each recipient, is intended to enable the scientists to advance their own research projects, expand international collaborations, and take important steps in their academic careers.

Vetmeduni warmly congratulates Laura Torres Borda on this achievement!

all Photos: L’Oréal

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