\n
\n\u2022 Two researchers awarded from the Saudi Arabia, Dr. Aljawharah Alrubayyi and Alaa Mansour Almushaikeh, bringing the total to 19 researchers recognized from the country.
\n\u2022 This year\u2019s researchers are recognised for scientific excellence across healthcare, pandemic preparedness, water security, advanced materials and sustainable technologies.
\n\u2022 Marking 13 years of impact, the programme has supported 69 Arab female researchers with over SAR 4 million in endowments.
\n\u2022 By advancing women\u2019s participation and leadership in science, the programme supports regional priorities focused on research, innovation and human capital development.
\nSaudi Arabia, October 22nd, 2026: Six pioneering Arab female researchers from Saudi Arabia and the GCC have been recognised at the 13th edition of the L\u2019Or\u00e9al-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Programme. Their work addresses pressing regional and global priorities, from infectious diseases and personalized medicine to water security, advanced materials and sustainable technologies.
\nSince its regional launch in 2014, the programme has supported 69 Arab women researchers with over SAR 4 million in endowments, helping them advance scientific careers and strengthening women\u2019s contribution to the region\u2019s research and innovation ecosystem. Two Saudi-based researchers are among this year\u2019s honourees, bringing the number awarded from the Saudi Arabia through the programme to 19.
\nWomen account for 41% of researchers in the Arab States, according to UNESCO data, placing the region above the global average for women\u2019s participation in research. Sustaining this momentum requires continued investment in the pathways that enable women to progress through every stage of a scientific career and move into positions of scientific leadership.
\nReflecting on L\u2019Or\u00e9al\u2019s role in advancing this ambition, Laurent Duffier, Managing Director of L\u2019Or\u00e9al Saudi Arabia, said: \u201cThe scientific talent we see emerging across the region is remarkable, and women are increasingly at the heart of that progress. Our responsibility is not only to recognise that talent, but to help create the visibility, networks and opportunities that allow it to thrive. For 13 years, this programme has supported Arab female researchers at different stages in their careers, because strengthening their contribution to science also strengthens the region\u2019s capacity for innovation and its knowledge-based economy.\u201d
\nEmphasising the importance of inclusive participation in science, Salah Khaled, Director of UNESCO, Doha Office for Gulf States and Yemen, stated: \u201cThe future of science must be shaped by the full diversity of talent within our communities. At UNESCO, empowering and enabling women and young talent to become changemakers is central to our work. We are honoured to champion this initiative alongside L\u2019Or\u00e9al and support a new generation of Arab female researchers whose discoveries can contribute to scientific progress and address challenges that transcend borders.\u201d
\nSix Arab women researchers recognised in 2026
\nThis year\u2019s six researchers reflect the growing contribution of Arab women in STEM to developing practical solutions to challenges with relevance both to the region and the world, such as healthcare, pandemic preparedness, water security and sustainable technologies. The six outstanding researchers recognised in 2026 are:
\nPhD students:
\n\u2022 Alaa Mansour Almushaikeh (Saudi Arabia) \u2013 For her research on developing next-generation radiation-detecting materials for safer x-ray imaging.
\n\u2022 Jawaher Alhammadi (United Arab Emirates) \u2013 For her research on engineering cell models for more personalised medicine.
\n\u2022 Hadeel Tarik Zedan (Qatar) \u2013 For her research on developing next-generation antivirals for coronaviruses and emerging respiratory viruses.
\nPost-doctorate researchers:
\n\u2022 Dr. Aljawharah Alrubayyi (Saudi Arabia) \u2013 For her research on harnessing human immunity to advance vaccines and immunotherapies against viral infections.
\n\u2022 Dr. Marieh Bassam Al Handawi (United Arab Emirates) \u2013 For her research on learning from desert plants to improve water security in the Middle East.
\n\u2022 Dr. Sara Al-Araimi (Oman) \u2013 For her research on turning waste into cleaner water and new bio-based materials.
\nSharing her perspective on this year\u2019s selection, Prof. Marie Abboud, President of the program\u2019s jury, said: \u201cBehind this year\u2019s record number of applications are hundreds of women with bold scientific questions and ideas for the future. What impressed us as a Jury was not only the exceptional calibre of the candidates, but the breadth of their ambitions. The six winners remind us that science moves forward when women are given the opportunity to know, think and dream. Supporting them means investing in scientific excellence, discoveries and leadership that will shape our region\u2019s future.\u201d
\nThe 2026 awardees were selected by a distinguished 11-member jury of leading scientists and academics from across the Middle East, chaired by Prof. Marie Abboud (Saint Joseph University, Lebanon) and including Dr. Habiba Al Safar (Khalifa University of Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates), Dr. Maha Al Mozaini (Research, Development and Innovation Authority, Saudi Arabia), Dr. Saba Al Heialy (Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates), Prof. Fatma Taher (Zayed University, United Arab Emirates), Prof. Abeer AlBawab (The University of Jordan, Jordan), Prof. Rihab Nasr (American University of Beirut, Lebanon), Dr. Nazek El-Atab (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia), Dr. Roula El Hachem Wassef (Saint Joseph University, Lebanon), Dr. Rania Dghaim (Zayed University, United Arab Emirates), and Dr. Hanifa AlBlooshi (Khalifa University of Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates).
\nCelebrating 13 years of impact, the L\u2019Or\u00e9al-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Programme champions Arab female researchers, highlighting their vital role in driving scientific progress and a sustainable future. As part of the global programme, which has recognized over 5,000 female researchers across more than 140 countries, including seven Nobel Prize winners, these women embody the belief that ‘the world needs science, and science needs women.\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2022 Two researchers awarded from the Saudi Arabia, Dr. Aljawharah Alrubayyi and Alaa Mansour Almushaikeh, bringing the total to 19 researchers recognized from the country. \u2022 This year\u2019s researchers are recognised for scientific excellence across healthcare, pandemic preparedness, water security, advanced materials and sustainable technologies. \u2022 Marking 13 years of impact, the programme has supported …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":136891,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[439],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-136890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-news"],"yoast_head":"\n