Australian Scientist Wins Major International Award

An Australian paediatric neurologist is one of five international scientists to win the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award for her ground-breaking research into epilepsy.

Professor Ingrid Scheffer has been awarded the title of Laureate for the Asia-Pacific region and is only the third Australian to receive the award.


Professor Scheffer holds a chair at the University of Melbourne, is a senior principal research fellow at Florey Neurosciences Institutes and is a paediatric neurologist and epileptologist at Austin Health and the Royal Children’s Hospital. ?

She has devoted the last 20 years to clinical research focused on epilepsy. She has identified many new forms of epilepsy and, together with molecular collaborators, discovered multiple genes that cause seizures.

Each year, five outstanding women scientists globally are honoured by this international prize for the contributions they have made through their research, the strength of their commitment and their impact on society.

Scheffer’s clinical research has focused on the genetics and different types of epilepsies, and on novel antiepileptic therapies. For 20 years she has led the field of epilepsy genetics research, collaborating with colleagues to identify the first epilepsy gene and 13 of the 23 genes currently known.

Her expertise in defining epilepsy syndromes has led to her leadership role as Chair of the Commission for Classification of the Epilepsies by the International League Against Epilepsy. While she has received significant recognition in the past, her latest award is considered exceptional.

"This is a true honour," Scheffer said. "I am thrilled to be recognised for my work in epilepsy as a clinician and scientist. Women in science face additional challenges juggling a career and family but if they are passionate about science, life can be incredibly rewarding. Of course I could not have done this without the contributions of my patients and their families, my many collaborators worldwide and my research team."

Professor James Angus, Dean of the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences said Professor Scheffer had contributed extraordinarily to the field of neuroscience and understanding and treating the complex condition of epilepsy.

"The University’s medical community congratulates Ingrid on receiving this fantastic international accolade. Ingrid is a great clinician -scientist," he said.

The Florey’s Director Professor Geoffrey Donnan said: "Ingrid is a totally committed scientist, striving to better understand these terrible conditions which can absolutely devastate lives. She is indeed a worthy recipient of this award."

For the past 14 years, the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation and UNESCO have sought to recognise women researchers who, through the scope of their work, have contributed to overcoming global challenges. Almost 2,000 high-level scientists from around the world were involved in the nomination of the candidates, who come from five continents.