Moraka won her award at Cotonou, Benin on Tuesday.
The awards celebrate and support African women scientists for the quality of their scientific research. Moraka ’s research aims ‘Towards Eliminating HIV in Botswana and Beyond.’ In an interview, she said her research focuses on understanding and characterising the first HIV viruses present in Botswana, specifically looking at their transmission rates. She explained that the goal was to evaluate the HIV epidemic in the country to provide better-targeted prevention strategies.
“By analyzing trends, optimizing testing and treatment, and addressing drug resistance, we can develop more effective public health approaches. Ultimately, this research aims to inform policies and funding decisions, as well as contribute to vaccine development tailored to Botswana’s needs. As a scientist, my work involves detailed laboratory research, data analysis, and collaboration with other scientists,” she explained.
Moraka added that what keeps her motivated is the possibility of making a tangible difference in people’s lives and that she is driven by the vision of preventing further HIV-related tragedies in Botswana and being part of the team that discovers an HIV cure right here in Africa. “It is the idea of helping people and contributing to global disease management that fuels my passion every day. My work is closely tied to improving public health outcomes, which is fundamental for any nation’s development,” she said.
In Botswana, Moraka said understanding the dynamics of HIV transmission could lead to more effective healthcare interventions and policies. She added that on a broader scale, addressing HIV in Africa means tackling one of the continent’s most pressing health challenges. She said the insights from her research could influence regional and global strategies, showcasing how African scientists could lead the fight against diseases that disproportionately affect their communities.
Furthermore, she explained that the award was a huge honor as it was a validation of her work and a reminder of the impact science could have on their communities. As a woman, she said it was especially meaningful because it highlighted the importance of their contributions in fields where they were often underrepresented. She added that she sees it as a platform to inspire others and to show that women can excel in science while driving transformative change.
“This recognition is already opening doors. The visibility of this award will help me secure more resources and partnerships to advance my research. It also gives me a stronger voice to advocate for policies that prioritize health research in Botswana and across Africa. I believe it is a stepping-stone towards achieving my ultimate goal: contributing to the discovery of an HIV cure. Access to resources has been a big challenge; whether it is samples, chemicals, or funding. As a woman, there is also the ongoing task of breaking stereotypes and proving that we belong in science. I have been fortunate to have supportive mentors and collaborators who have helped me overcome these hurdles, but I know there is still work to be done to make the path smoother for others,” Moraka said.
Her advice to aspiring young doctors is for them to dream big and stay curious. She said science was not just about solving problems but about creating a better future for their communities. She further explained that they will face challenges, but with determination and the right support, they can achieve great things. She advised them to be bold, embrace their potential, and know that their contributions were vital to Africa’s progress.
According to a press release from L’oreal Foundation, a jury chaired by Professor Aggrey AMBALI, Head of Technical Cooperation and Program Financing at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) selected those 30 trailblazers in science among nearly 800 applications. It indicated that as in previous years, the event gathered various personalities, alongside UNESCO representatives and jury members.
“As Africa experiences one of the world’s highest population growth rates, women’s contribution to science has become crucial for the continent’s sustainable development. Africa currently counts a population of 1.5 billion, which is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 and over 4 billion by 21001. This momentum spawns significant challenges, particularly in the face of climate disruptions that exacerbate droughts, increase the proliferation of infectious diseases, and contaminate soils, therefore directly threatening the populations’ food security,” it stated.
It further indicated that faced with those challenges, the contribution of African women scientists was key. It also stated that this year’s awarded Young Talents were living proof of their pivotal role among them was Blessing Olagunju, who works on improving water quality in Nigeria, Matrona Mbendo, whose research aims to develop an HIV vaccine for women, and Sarobidy Rakotonarivo, who is developing practices to preserve biodiversity in Madagascar.
Ever since its creation, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Sub-Saharan Africa program has recognized 240 young researchers from more than 34 African countries and received over 4,000 applications. These scientists have benefited from financial support, including research grants of €10,000 for PhD candidates and €15,000 for post-doctoral researchers, along with training in leadership, communication, and negotiation to better respond to sexism, an example among others.
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