The program continues to strengthen the next generation of women in STEM through mentorship, exposure, and transformative experiences.
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 9, 2026 – L’Oréal Caribe and Ciencia Puerto Rico (CienciaPR) celebrated the fourth edition of the For Girls in Science program graduation, where 24 high school students successfully completed their participation after finishing a training cycle focused on academic development, leadership, and exposure to STEM careers (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
The ceremony took place on Saturday, May 9, at the University College of San Juan, and was attended by 13 CienciaPR mentors, who guided the participants throughout the program, providing them with academic support and inspiration in their professional development.
As a guest speaker, Dr. Marietta Vázquez —Professor of Pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, affiliated faculty of the Yale Institute for Global Health, and Associate Dean of the Office of Collaborative Excellence and Student Engagement— shared an inspiring message focused on leadership, identity, and commitment to equity in science, highlighting the importance of paving the way for more women in these fields.
“At L’Oréal Caribe, we firmly believe in the power of education and mentorship to transform lives. Programs like For Girls in Science allow us to empower talented young women to discover their potential, strengthen their confidence, and envision themselves as future leaders in science. We are proud to accompany them on this journey and continue promoting a more inclusive and diverse industry,” said Liana Camacho, Vice President and Market Leader of L’Oréal Caribe.
For its part, Ciencia Puerto Rico highlighted the program's impact on the participants' academic and personal development. “Through this initiative, we seek not only to strengthen the scientific skills of young women but also to cultivate a support network that accompanies them on their path toward STEM careers. The role of the mentors is fundamental so that each participant can see herself reflected in role models who have walked that same path,” said Dr. Abniel Machín, Director of CienciaPR’s Science Education Unit, representing the organization.
Among the program's success stories are the renowned TV host in Puerto Rico, Ackerly Cedeño, who was recently invited to the 2026 Youth Forum of the UN Economic and Social Council in New York; Lorena Pachiardi, who was selected as one of 55 STEM Champions at the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C.; and Ana Lucía Pérez, who leads the organization De a Pokito por PR and has an environmental segment on WIPR. Their trajectories reflect how far the participants have come in their academic and professional development in STEM.
The program, aimed at students between ninth and eleventh grade, includes specialized mentorship, workshops, educational experiences, and scientific challenges designed to strengthen critical thinking, curiosity, and university preparation. This initiative is part of the L’Oréal Foundation's global commitment to foster greater female representation in science, where women currently remain underrepresented worldwide. This year FGIS was supported by the Mano Amiga Program from Plaza las Américas/Plaza del Caribe Foundation and the PR Science Technology and Research Trust.