Marking 13 Years of Impact, the 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Programme Honors Six Arab Female Researchers
• This year’s researchers are recognised for scientific excellence across healthcare, pandemic preparedness, water security, advanced materials and sustainable technologies.
• Since 2014, the programme has supported 69 Arab female researchers with over €1 million in endowments.
• By advancing women’s participation and leadership in science, the programme supports regional priorities focused on research, innovation and human capital development.
Dubai, October 22nd, 2026: Six pioneering Arab female researchers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar have been recognised at the 13th edition of the L’Oréal-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.
Since its regional launch in 2014, the programme has supported 69 Arab women researchers with over €1 million in endowments, helping them advance scientific careers and strengthening women’s contribution to the region’s research and innovation ecosystem.
Women account for 41% of researchers in the Arab States, according to UNESCO data1, placing the region above the global average for women’s 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.
Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of Education, commented: “Scientific progress depends on our ability to identify talent early and create clear pathways for it to develop, contribute and lead. In the UAE, women are playing an increasingly prominent role in research and in strategic fields including advanced technology, healthcare, sustainability and aerospace. Our focus is on strengthening the journey from education to research, and from research to real-world impact, so that young people have the skills, confidence, mentorship and opportunities to shape the future. The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Program advances this ambition by recognising women researchers, supporting their careers and giving the next generation visible examples of what scientific leadership can achieve.”
Reflecting on L’Oréal’s role in advancing this ambition, Laurent Duffier, Managing Director of L’Oréal Middle East, said: “The 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’s capacity for innovation and its knowledge-based economy.”
1https://www.unesco.org/en/science-technology-and-innovation/gender-equality
Emphasising the importance of inclusive participation in science, Salah Khaled, Director of UNESCO, Doha Office for Gulf States and Yemen, stated: “The 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’Oréal and support a new generation of Arab female researchers whose discoveries can contribute to scientific progress and address challenges that transcend borders.”
His Excellency Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University of Science and Technology, remarked: “Scientific progress depends on our ability to develop talent and create the conditions in which ambitious research can thrive. Our continued partnership with the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Programme reflects Khalifa University’s commitment to advancing scientific excellence and enabling women researchers to lead discovery and innovation in fields that are critical to the UAE and the region’s future.”
Six Arab women researchers recognised in 2026
This year’s 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:
PhD students:
• Alaa Mansour Almushaikeh (Saudi Arabia) – For her research on developing next-generation radiation-detecting materials for safer x-ray imaging.
• Jawaher Alhammadi (United Arab Emirates) – For her research on engineering cell models for more personalised medicine.
• Hadeel Tarik Zedan (Qatar) – For her research on developing next-generation antivirals for coronaviruses and emerging respiratory viruses.
Post-doctorate researchers:
• Dr. Aljawharah Alrubayyi (Saudi Arabia) – For her research on harnessing human immunity to advance vaccines and immunotherapies against viral infections.
• Dr. Marieh Bassam Al Handawi (United Arab Emirates) – For her research on learning from desert plants to improve water security in the Middle East.
• Dr. Sara Al-Araimi (Oman) – For her research on turning waste into cleaner water and new bio-based materials.
Sharing her perspective on this year’s selection, Prof. Marie Abboud, President of the program’s jury, said: “Behind this year’s 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’s future.”
The 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).
Celebrating 13 years of impact, the L’Oréal-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.’
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About the Fondation L’Oréal
The Fondation L’Oréal supports and empowers women to shape their future and make a difference in society. It focuses its action on two main areas: science and inclusive beauty.
Science: encouraging women's scientific excellence and inspiring future generations.
The Fondation L’Oréal is committed to supporting women scientists at every stage of their careers, from sparking vocations at a young age to recognizing excellence in established researchers. This commitment translates into an intergenerational approach and dedicated programmes.
In partnership with UNESCO, Fondation L’Oréal has run the For Women in Science programme since 1998. This programme aims to accelerate the careers of women scientists, remove the obstacles they face, and inspire younger generations to embrace scientific careers. To date, the programme has supported more than 5,000 researchers from over 140 countries, promoting scientific excellence and encouraging many young women to pursue scientific studies. The Fondation L’Oréal, together with UNESCO, also invests in the future of women in science through the For Girls in Science programme. This programme aims to inspire scientific vocations in young girls by raising their awareness of the scientific challenges of tomorrow and introducing them to inspiring female role models. The goal is to support and encourage the next generation of female scientists, giving them the keys to succeed in scientific fields.
Inclusive Beauty: restoring self-esteem and promoting professional integration.
Convinced that beauty contributes to the process of rebuilding lives, the Fondation L’Oréal helps vulnerable women to improve their self-esteem through free beauty and wellness treatments. These treatments help restore their self-esteem and help them regain confidence. At the same time, the Fondation L’Oréal promotes the professional integration of vulnerable women through excellent training in beauty professions. Since the program's founding in 2007, more than 190,000 women have benefitted from socio-aesthetics treatments, and more than 96,000 women have participated in the trainings.
About UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2,300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2,000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13,000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany, the first Director-General from an Arab country and the second from Africa. More information: www.unesco.org
About Khalifa University of Science and Technology
Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the UAE’s top-ranked research-intensive institution, focuses on developing world leaders and critical thinkers in science, engineering and health science. The world-class university endeavors to be a catalyst to the growth of Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s rapidly developing knowledge economy as an education destination of choice and a global leader among widely acknowledged international universities.
For more information, please visit: http://www.ku.ac.ae/
