University of Michigan neuroscientist Sarah M. Clinton is one of five female scientists picked by L'Oreal USA for its annual Fellowships for Women in Science awards. Clinton, a research fellow at the U-M Mental Health Research Institute, will receive $40,000 for independent scientific research. The award-winners also have access to professional development workshops with female corporate, academic and government leaders to help them advance their careers.

Each year, L'Oreal USA, working with a jury of seven imminent scientists, chooses women scientists at the start of their careers who pursue "innovative and groundbreaking research across scientific disciplines," according to a L'Oreal statement about the awards, which were made May 24. Clinton breeds rats that differ in emotional behavior and compares the impact of their mothering patterns on the behavior and neural stress circuitry of their offspring.

The L'Oreal awards program aims to promote awareness of women scientists' contributions and offer the winners as role models for girls and young women. Read the L'Oreal press release here.