A scientist with a Castlegar connection has been recognized by the L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science as one of 2023’s groundbreaking female scientists.
Dr. Michelle Asbury was one of five Canadian women to receive a L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Research Excellence Fellowship. The international awards program seeks to recognize scientific talent and support major post-doctoral research projects undertaken by women. Asbury’s recognition includes $20,000.
Asbury is the daughter of Shannon Asbury, who grew up in Castlegar and the granddaughter of Ron and Marilyn Smithers who still reside here.
She is a post-doctoral associate in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Calgary.
Asbury’s research has been focused human milk and how in-hospital nutrition impacts the growth of preterm infants and their gut microbiome.
The aim of her next project is to understand the range of nutrients and immune components in human milk. It will include around 400 mother-infant pairs.
Each year, the For women in Science program rewards more than 250 women scientists with endowments to pursue promising research projects in 52 regions around the world.
The other Canadian winners were Sabrina Rondeau, Marianne Falardeau-Côté, Ariane Godbout and Lia Huo.
You can watch Asbury’s presentation here.
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