Ahmed Zewail

Egyptian-American pioneer of femtochemistry and Nobel Laureate

Ahmed Zewail (1946-2016) revolutionized chemistry by developing femtosecond spectroscopy, enabling observation of chemical reactions at the one-millionth-of-a-billionth-of-a-second scale. This Egyptian-American scientist's work earned him the 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, making him the first Arab to win a science Nobel.

His 'femtochemistry' breakthroughs transformed how scientists understand molecular structures and reaction dynamics. Zewail founded the Zewail City of Science and Technology in Cairo, establishing a world-class research hub in the Middle East.

Beyond scientific achievements, Zewail bridged East-West scientific collaboration as a science envoy to Middle Eastern countries. His book 'Voyage Through Time' chronicles his journey from Alexandria to Nobel glory, inspiring Arab youth to pursue scientific careers.

Through establishing the Caltech Laboratory for Molecular Sciences and advising multiple US presidents on STEM policies, Zewail's legacy continues shaping nanotechnology and biomedical research globally.