Hassan Kamel Al-Sabbah

Egyptian chemist who pioneered industrial chemistry research and modernized Egypt's scientific infrastructure.

Hassan Kamel Al-Sabbah (1892–1971) was an Egyptian chemist and academic whose work revolutionized industrial chemistry in the Arab world. Born in Alexandria, he earned his PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Paris in 1920, becoming Egypt's first PhD holder in chemistry. His research on natural products like henna and castor oil led to breakthroughs in pharmaceuticals and industrial materials.

In 1935, he founded the Faculty of Science at Cairo University, establishing Egypt's first modern chemistry department. He later created the National Institute of Organic Chemistry, which became a hub for regional scientific collaboration. His 1948 discovery of sabbahine, a compound from Egyptian plants, demonstrated medicinal properties and inspired later drug development.

Al-Sabbah advocated for science education, writing textbooks like Chemistry of Industrial Materials and founding the Egyptian Chemical Society. During WWII, he developed synthetic rubber for the Allied forces using local materials, showcasing Egypt's scientific potential. His work earned him the Leopold Lancaster Medal in 1960.

Today, the Cairo University Chemistry Building bears his name. His legacy influences modern Egyptian industries, with his methodologies still used in pharmaceutical research. The Nature journal cited him as a key figure in Arab science history.