MIT Technology Review Arabia has unveiled the winners of the 2024 Innovators Under 35 MENA award, recognizing 20 exceptional innovators for their contributions to technology and advancements in fields such as biotechnology, computer science, medicine, energy, and the environment. The award honors innovators whose work enhances the quality of life and plays a vital role in advancing societies across the MENA region and beyond.
The winners were selected by a distinguished panel of 19 independent judges, including technology experts, entrepreneurs, and academics from leading tech companies, research centers, and global universities. The Innovators Under 35 MENA award recognizes individuals who have introduced pioneering ideas and technologies with the potential to impact their communities and industries.
The 2024 winners hail from a diverse range of countries including Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar, UAE, Syria, Bangladesh, Russia, and Algeria. Notable awardees include:
- Bassem Al-Shaib (Egypt): Founder of Amber Bio and Stealth Biotech, known for developing biotechnological and bioinformatics techniques for genetic diseases and climate change mitigation.
- Asrar Damdam (Saudi Arabia): Invented a UV-based device to extend the shelf life of fresh food without chemicals.
- Mohammed Alamer (Saudi Arabia): Developed sustainable and scalable methods for graphene production at Aramco.
- Safiya Khalil Alhashmi (UAE): Created a light-powered photoreactor to destroy harmful PFAS substances.
- Somaya Albhaisi (Palestine): Integrated digital health tools and AI to revolutionize the prevention and treatment of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD).
The full list includes innovators like Kamil ElKhoury (Lebanon), Dhabia Al-Mohannadi (Qatar), and Mohammed Awad (Syria), among others, who have contributed groundbreaking ideas ranging from AI, health tech, renewable energy, and sustainability to advanced material science.
The criteria for this award include innovators from the MENA region or of Arab origin living worldwide. The inclusion of winners from countries like Bangladesh and Russia highlights the region’s ability to attract global talent and offer them a platform for innovation. The award aims to support young talent and encourage their research, helping shape the future in their respective fields.
Innovators Under 35 is a globally prestigious award that honors young innovators making significant strides in their industries. Past recipients have included well-known figures who have gone on to achieve widespread recognition in their fields.
