Mohammed announces Prof. Omar Yaghi, Jordanian, winner of Great Arab Minds in Natural Sciences

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday congratulated Jordanian professor Omar Yaghi on winning the award of Great Arab Minds in the category of Natural Sciences.

In his tweet on the X platform, Sheikh Mohammed said, “We are proud to announce that the winner of the Arab Genius Minds award in the Natural Sciences category for the year 2024 is the Jordanian Professor Omar Yaghi.”

His Highness continued, “Omar Yaghi, Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, has made exceptional contributions to the field of reticular chemistry. His innovations have led to pioneering applications that address challenges in energy, water, and the environment. Professor Yaghi has published more than 300 scientific papers, and his work has received more than 250,000 citations.”

Sheikh Mohammed added, “We extend our congratulations to Prof. Omar on this significant scientific accomplishment, and we assert that our region is home to a wealth of intellectual resources capable of making substantial contributions to human knowledge in numerous domains.”

The Great Arab Minds Award in Natural Sciences for 2024 has been awarded to Professor Omar Yaghi in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to chemistry. Yaghi's pioneering work advances reticular chemistry, a revolutionary field focused on linking molecular building blocks into open frameworks through strong bonds. His research has led to the development of advanced materials, including Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs).

These innovative materials have diverse applications, addressing critical global challenges such as carbon capture, clean energy production, water harvesting, and catalysis. With over 300 research papers and more than 250,000 citations, Professor Yaghi's work has profoundly transformed material science, offering sustainable solutions for a better future.