A scientist from Uzbekistan is elected Vice-President of the World Academy of Sciences
A significant event has marked Central Asia’s scientific history.
Professor Shahlo Turdikulova, Vice-President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, has been elected Vice-President of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) for Central and South Asia for 2027-2028.
She became the first-ever representative of Uzbekistan and Central Asia to be honored with the leadership of the academy.
The World Academy of Sciences, founded in 1983 at the initiative of Nobel Laureate in Physics Abdus Salam, brings together leading researchers and Nobel laureates from 112 countries. This reputable organization, a UNESCO program, provides comprehensive support for scientific development in developing countries.
The election decision was made following a vote by TWAS members. Shahlo Turdikulova will join the academy’s council as one of six vice-presidents and will take office on January 1, 2027. She became a member of the World Academy of Sciences in 2025.
The new TWAS council will be headed by the President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hou Jianguo. Professor Shahlo Turdikulova’s inclusion on the council will allow Central Asia to take a direct part in shaping the global scientific agenda, promote further development of international scientific cooperation, and support researchers.
Her scientific work focuses on studying the genetics of the Central Asian population and developing biotechnology in Uzbekistan. Under her leadership, she developed the first domestic PCR test system for detecting COVID-19 and the Uzbek-Chinese vaccine ZF-UZ-VAC 2001.
Mohigul Qosimova, UzA
