Shahlo Turdikulova becomes TWAS vice president for 2027-2028

In TWAS, she will represent Central and South Asia in 2027-2028, starting work on January 1, 2027. The decision was made by the academy members by voting. Turdikulova became the first scientist from Uzbekistan and the entire Central Asian region to join the organization's leadership during its existence.

The TWAS Council in its new composition will be headed by the head of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hou Jianguo. In the council, Turdikulova will be responsible for developing the academy's strategy, international scientific relations, and supporting researchers. She has been a member of TWAS since 2025.

The World Academy of Sciences was founded in 1983 on the initiative of Nobel laureate in physics Abdus Salam. It brings together scientists from 112 countries, works as a program unit of UNESCO, and its headquarters is located in Trieste.

Turdikulova is a doctor of biological sciences, professor, and head of the Center for Advanced Technologies. In 2002-2005, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles. Among the developments she led are the first Uzbek PCR test for COVID-19 and the Uzbek-Chinese vaccine ZF-UZ-VAC 2001. In April 2024, she became the first woman to hold the post of Vice President of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan.