A postdoctoral researcher from the UNIGE Observatory receives the "Swiss L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science" 2025 prize

Mengyuan Xiao, a postdoctoral researcher at the Observatory of the University of Geneva (UNIGE), is one of four recipients of the Swiss L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science 2025 Award, which recognizes excellence in female scientific research.

A specialist in the early universe, Mengyuan Xiao studies the formation of the oldest and most massive galaxies. Using observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the ALMA network, she led the discovery of Zhulóng, the most distant spiral galaxy known to date. This research reveals that just a billion years after the Big Bang, some galaxies already exhibited a surprisingly organized structure—a central bulge, a disk of stars, and spiral arms, reminiscent of our own Milky Way.

"Zhulóng, which means torch dragon in Chinese mythology, symbolizes light and cosmic time," explains the researcher. This discovery challenges conventional models of galaxy formation and opens new perspectives on the rapid growth of structures in the early Universe.

By honoring Mengyuan Xiao, the “Swiss L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science” program recognizes not only a major scientific contribution, but also an exemplary commitment to inspiring the next generation of women researchers to explore the mysteries of the cosmos.

Link to official website : here

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