Hayat Sindi

Pioneering Saudi biotechnologist who revolutionized medical diagnostics in developing countries

Dr. Hayat Sindi, born in 1967 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, became the first woman from the Gulf region to earn a PhD in biotechnology from Cambridge University. Her groundbreaking work in affordable diagnostic devices has transformed healthcare access for millions.

She co-founded Diagnostics For All, creating paper-based medical tests costing less than $1 that require no electricity. These innovations particularly benefit rural communities, detecting diseases like HIV and hepatitis within minutes. Her micro-electromechanical systems research earned her recognition as a UNESCO Special Ambassador for Science.

Beyond science, Sindi founded the i2 Institute to foster innovation in Arab countries, mentoring over 50,000 young scientists through her Global Innovation Initiative. She broke cultural barriers by becoming one of the first female members of Saudi Arabia's Consultative Assembly, pushing for STEM education reforms.