The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to three scientists for their groundbreaking work in the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Among the laureates is Professor Omar M. Yaghi of the University of California, United States. Although currently an American citizen, Yaghi was born in Amman, Jordan, in 1965 to Palestinian refugee parents who had been displaced from their homeland.
At the age of 15, inspired by his father, Yaghi moved to the United States. Despite limited knowledge of English at the time, he enrolled in a college in the U.S., completing both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies there. He later earned a PhD in chemistry from Harvard University.
Throughout his career, Yaghi has focused on addressing global challenges through his scientific knowledge. During his early years in Jordan, he lived with his parents and siblings in a single room, facing severe water scarcity, with access to water limited to just a few hours every two weeks. This experience later motivated his research on water collection and related technologies.
In recognition of his contributions, Saudi Arabia granted Yaghi honorary citizenship in 2021 as part of its Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to attract distinguished scientists and professionals from around the world.
The other recipients of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry are Susumu Kitagawa, a professor at Kyoto University, Japan, and Richard Robson, a professor at the University of Melbourne, Australia. All three have been recognized for their pioneering work that has advanced the field of chemistry significantly.
