A remarkable Lebanese talent who has brought pride to the Lebanese people through her intelligence, efforts, and excellence in a time when individuals with limited intellect control the fate of an entire nation. Her father is Lebanese, while her mother is Saudi. She was born and raised in the capital, Beirut, specifically in the Al-Masaytbeh area. She is Professor Nevin Khashab, who won the Arab Talent Award in the field of Natural Sciences, as announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Prime Minister of Dubai.
Khashab's award was based on her significant contributions to the manufacturing and synthesis of nanomaterials for use in medical, pharmaceutical, industrial, and environmental applications. She has presented over 275 scientific papers in fields related to organic chemistry and nanoscience, and her research and innovations in the field of nanomedicine contributed to her developing new nanometric particles that break down automatically when exposed to light. She also provided in-depth studies and research in the area of particles whose permeability can be controlled, allowing her to design them based on the patient's condition, which helps make the medication more tailored for each case.
Additionally, the applications of the scientific innovations and smart materials developed by Khashab span several sectors, including medical fields in areas like sensing, packaging, and drug delivery, as well as industrial applications such as nanocomposite coatings and others, along with environmental solutions like sustainable agricultural platforms.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched the "Arab Talents" initiative, the largest Arab movement led by the Museum of the Future to oversee outstanding talents in various fields, aiming to nurture, empower, and develop their ideas. Notably, Professor Khashab is an Associate Dean in the Department of Engineering and Physical Sciences and a Chemistry Professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. She is also one of the winners of the 2017 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award for her contributions to inventing innovative smart hybrid materials aimed at drug delivery and for developing new technology to monitor antioxidant activity among cells.
