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A strong commitment to inclusion : the "Thierry Célérier - Femmes & Sciences" prize

9 février 2024

Marie-Noëlle Célérier, a physicist at the Observatoire de Paris - PSL and founder of the "Thierry Célérier - Femmes & Sciences" prize, is dedicated to encouraging young women with disabilities to enter the world of science. For the 2024 session, she is calling for motivated candidates : from April 30, entries will be open.

Being both a woman in science and a woman with a disability is no easy task in a highly competitive environment still largely dominated by men. With this simple observation in mind, Marie-Noëlle Célérier decided to work towards greater inclusion.

For 3 years now, in partnership with the "Femmes et sciences" association, she has been awarding a prize - named in homage to her son who died too soon - and endowing it with 10,000 euros.
This prize has already helped 4 young women to bring their scientific or technical projects to fruition. "It’s a little helping hand and recognition of the way they proudly build themselves up to the ambitions they’ve set themselves ", comments Marie-Noëlle Célérier simply.

Since 2021, 4 young women have distinguished themselves in the eyes of the jury she chairs.

Le 8 mars 2024, les femmes scientifiques de l’Observatoire de Paris - PSL vêtues de rouge.
© Observatoire de Paris - PSL
4 hinged profiles
  • Salomé Nashed, who is visually impaired, won the prize in 2021, which enabled her to purchase adapted equipment. She is now a post-doctoral student in biology and bioinformatics.
Salomé Nashed
Salomé Nashed
  • Camille Ollier is profoundly deaf and assisted by a sign language interpreter. She is currently in the 4th year of a PhD in "Environmental, Population and Ecological Biology" at the University of La Rochelle. And she is preparing for a scientific trip to Australia.
  • Hajer Srihi suffers from a degenerative neuromuscular disease which confines her to a wheelchair ; she carries out her daily activities with the help of a third party. She has just successfully defended her thesis on "Stabilization strategies in a seated position for people living with a spinal cord injury", at the University of Valenciennes.
Camille Ollier et Hajer Srihi
Camille Ollier (à gauche) et Hajer Srihi (à droite)
  • Emilia Turc, a polytechnician and currently a doctoral student at APHP Hôpital Lariboisière, is the young prizewinner for 2023 ; her prize will enable her to motorize her wheelchair, make adaptations to her home, purchase non-reimbursed equipment and make it easier for her to commute to work.
Emilia Turc
Emilia Turc

They all deserve immense credit. They have braved many obstacles, while remaining attentive and helpful to others. They have much to pass on to their younger sisters...



Precisely, Marie-Noëlle Célérier announces here, as a preview, the opening date for applications for the 4th session : April 30, 2024.