Born in Hong Kong, Vivian obtained her PhD at the University of Hong Kong and became professor there in 1997. She is an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World.

Each year, the L'Oral Foundation and UNESCO select five outstanding women scientists -- one per continent -- to honor their contribution in research and encourage their commitments and effort in pushing forward the social development.

"With the Marie Curie Nobel Centenary being celebrated in 2011, this year the For Women in Science Programme has a particularly strong resonance, placing women and chemistry at the heart of science today," the UNESCO said in a statement.

Out of 1,000 high-level scientists around the world, five winners on behalf of Africa and Arab States, Asia and Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North Africa will be awarded with 100, 000 U.S. dollars on March 3, 2011 in a ceremony at UNESCO headquarters.

Besides Vivian, the other winners are Kuwaiti Professor Faiza al-Kharafi working with Kuwait University on corrosion related to water treatment, Professor Anne l'Huillier specializing in Atomic Physics with Lund University in Sweden, Professor Silvia Torres- Peimbert with Institute of Astronomy in Mexico City University and Professor Jillian Banfield working on Earth and Planetary Science in University of California of the United States.

Initiated 13 years ago, the L'Oreal-UNESCO Awards have recognized 67 laureates, two of whom received the Nobel Prize in 2009, and 864 fellowships have been granted to young women scientists from 93 countries.  (Xinhua)