The Monaco Women Forum closed its 9th edition with a gala ceremony presenting awards to two scientists whose work focuses on ageing and long-term health.
The Monte-Carlo Woman of the Year Award went to Professor Maria Blasco and Professor Sarah Berry, both recognised for research that is opening new avenues in longevity science.
Professor Blasco has spent her career studying the biology of cellular ageing, with a particular focus on telomeres – the protective caps at the ends of DNA strands. Her work, spanning over 280 published studies, has pointed to new ways of tackling age-related diseases and placed ageing biology at the heart of modern medicine.
Professor Sarah Berry received the Social Award for her research into diet, the gut microbiome and heart health. She has also worked on bringing personalised nutrition tools within reach of a wider public, helping people better understand how their bodies respond to what they eat.
A broader conversation
The Forum, which opened with remarks from Monaco’s Finance Minister Pierre-André Chiappori, covered a wide range of topics. Panels addressed crypto regulation (including the EU’S MICA framework), space governance and digital healthcare.
The longevity session brought these threads together, combining the latest science on telomeres and nutrition with a presentation by Dr Hélène Ceruti, a cardiologist at the Monaco Cardiothoracic Center. Dr Ceruti spoke about how disease presents differently in women, an issue that speaks to a broader gap in medical research, where studies have historically been concentrated on men, often leaving women under-diagnosed or mistreated as a result.
In her closing remarks, founder and president Cinzia Sgambati Colman described the current moment as “a turning point” requiring collective action and diverse perspectives. She also confirmed that artificial intelligence will be the focus of a dedicated panel at the 2027 edition.
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Main photo credit: Monaco Women Forum