Chinese women scientists have started to make their mark on the world stage moreconsistently.

For the second year in a row, a scientist from the Chinese mainland has won the L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science International Award this year.

Chen Hualan, the head of Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, an affiliate of the ChineseAcademy of Agricultural Sciences, received the award in Paris on March 24.

Created in 1998, the awards program－jointly funded by the French cosmetics maker and theUnited Nations’ agency－identifies and supports female scientists globally.

Chen, 47, is the second Chinese scientist to win the award－after chemist Xie Yi in 2015－due to her outstanding research of the virus that causes avian influenza or bird flu.