Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH -- The Saudi chemist Omar Yaghi has been named one of the three laureates of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, recognized by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for his pioneering development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), molecular structures that can capture, store, and release gases.

Here's what to know about the Nobel-winning scientist, his background, and his global impact.

What did Omar Yaghi win the Nobel Prize for?

The Nobel Committee honored Yaghi -- along with Japan's Susumu Kitagawa and Australia's Richard Robson -- for developing metal-organic frameworks, also known as MOFs.

These porous crystalline materials have revolutionized chemistry and materials science, with applications in carbon capture, hydrogen storage, clean energy, and environmental purification.

Their discovery has opened the door to new methods for tackling climate change and advancing sustainable technology, a contribution that earned Yaghi global recognition as one of the most influential chemists of the modern era.

Where is he from?

Yaghi was born in Amman, Jordan, in 1965, to a Palestinian family believed to have settled in Jordan after 1948.

He completed his secondary education in Amman before moving to the United States for university studies, a journey that would define his career.

He earned his associate degree from Hudson Valley Community College, completed his bachelor's at the University at Albany, and received his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1990.

Where does he work today?

Omar Yaghi currently serves as the James and Neeltje Tretter Chair Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and is a faculty scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

He is also the founding director of the Berkeley Global Science Institute, which promotes international scientific collaboration.

Throughout his career, Yaghi has taught at leading American universities including Harvard, the University of Arizona, the University of Michigan, and UCLA before joining Berkeley in 2012.

In addition to his academic role in the United States, Yaghi is Director of the Center of Excellence for Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Applications, a joint initiative established between King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the University of California, Berkeley.

He also serves as Advisor to the President of KACST and Board Member of the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA).

What awards has he received before the Nobel?

Yaghi's groundbreaking research has earned him several major international honors, including:

* King Faisal International Prize for Chemistry (2015)

* Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water

* Albert Einstein World Award of Science

* Arab Pioneers Award (2024)He was decorated with the Order of Excellence (First Class) by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2017 and was named the second-most influential chemist in the world in 2011.

What nationalities does he hold?

Yaghi holds four nationalities -- Palestinian, Jordanian, American, and Saudi -- having received Saudi citizenship in 2021. His growing recognition across the Arab world reflects his contributions to global science and his influence as a leading figure in chemistry.

What are his ties to Jordan and the Arab world?

Although Yaghi left Jordan early to pursue his studies abroad, he has remained connected to the region through scientific partnerships and honorary recognitions.

Members of the Yaghi family are known in Jordanian public life, including former MP and Senator Mustafa Yaghi from Al-Balqa Governorate's Ain Al-Basha area.

Why is his Nobel Prize significant?

Yaghi's win marks a historic achievement for Arab and Saudi science, underscoring the growing regional presence in global research and innovation.

His work exemplifies how Arab scientists are contributing to the world's most pressing challenges.