The Future Is Female: Arab Women Are OWNING Scientific Innovations In The Middle East

The 12th edition of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program just dropped, and once again it’s giving us major inspiration overload.

This year, twelve phenomenal Arab women from across the GCC are being celebrated for research that’s literally shaping the future

Since kicking off globally in 1998, the program has honored over 4,700 researchers in 140+ countries, with 63 Arab women from the GCC recognized so far, and AED 3.8M pumped into their groundbreaking projects.

Backed by H.E. Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, and held in collab with Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the program rolls with a bold mantra: “The world needs science, and science needs women.”

Translation: inclusivity matters, women matter, and science? Yeah, it’s cooler when EVERYONE’S in the lab

This year’s winners are tackling some of the biggest challenges we face today, think climate change, food security, heart health, and even aerospace robotics. Their research isn’t just about lab work; it’s a blueprint for a smarter, healthier, and more sustainable world!

Meet the Trailblazers:

PHD students:

• Aysha Ali Samra AlShehhi (United Arab Emirates) – For her research on revolutionizing aerospace maintenance with a bio-inspired robotic arm for in-situ inspection and repair of aero-engines.

• Fatimah Abdulhakim (Saudi Arabia) – For her research on harnessing plant immunity to strengthen global food security and crop resilience.

• Ohood Al-Ghadani (Oman) – For her research on optimizing packaging design to reduce post-harvest loss and strengthen food security.

Post-doctorate researchers:

• Dr. Nadine Hosny El Said (United Arab Emirates) – For her research on harnessing epigenetic science and RNA-based therapies to revolutionize patient care.

• Dr. Ayat Hammad (Qatar) – For her research on unlocking disease prevention and treatment through personalized medicine and microbiome.

• Dr. Fatemah Jawad Bahman (Kuwait) – For her research on uncovering the genetic links between diet, inflammation, and metabolic disease.

2024:

PhD students:

• Fatima Alshamsi (United Arab Emirates) – For her research on identifying genes promoting endothelial cell dysfunction in diabetic cardiovascular complications.

• Dr. Israa Al Hussain Al Hassan Othman (United Arab Emirates) – For her research on the development of quantum dots (QDs) and their nanocomposites for photocatalytic applications.

• Dr. Taiba Alamoudi (Saudi Arabia) – For her research on the impacts of climate change and the biotechnological potential of seaweed.

Post-doctorate researchers:

• • Dr. Leena Ali Ibrahim (Saudi Arabia) – For her research on autism’s link to layer 1 inhibitory neurons: identifying the genes and circuits that lead to hypersensitivity.

  • Dr. Entessar Al-Hetlani (Kuwait) – For her research on using deep UV Raman spectroscopy to identify bodily fluids in fingermarks.

  • Dr. Hiam Souheil Chemaitelly (Qatar) – For her research on epidemiology of respiratory infections and effectiveness of interventions.

These women aren’t just scientists…they’re innovators, problem-solvers, and role models.

With every experiment and discovery, they’re showing that the future of science is not only bright, it’s female. 

Celebrating the impact of Arab women driving scientific progress

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Program continues to play a major role in championing female scientists across the GCC by recognizing their achievements and supporting their research. Now in its regional edition, the initiative aligns closely with national agendas focused on innovation, knowledge-based economies, and sustainable development. Over the years, it has become a reliable platform that uplifts Arab women in STEM, offering visibility, funding, and mentorship to help accelerate their careers.

This year’s cohort reflects the region’s growing scientific strength, with young researchers tackling critical challenges such as aerospace robotics, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, chronic disease prevention, and autism research. The program ultimately reinforces the belief that empowering women in science drives progress, strengthens national innovation ecosystems, and shapes a more sustainable and equitable future for the region.