Lina Al-Mutairi

Saudi Arabian nanotechnology pioneer advancing women's roles in STEM through medical innovations

Lina Al-Mutairi: Breaking Barriers in Saudi Science

Lina Al-Mutairi (born 1978) is a Saudi Arabian nanotechnology researcher and founder of the Center for Nanotechnology Innovation (CNI) at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Her work in drug delivery systems using nanotechnology has revolutionized cancer treatment methods, while her advocacy has expanded opportunities for women in Saudi Arabia's STEM fields.

Scientific Breakthroughs

Al-Mutairi's research focuses on developing nanocarriers that target cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissue. Her team's 2018 breakthrough in creating pH-sensitive nanoparticles has improved chemotherapy efficacy by 40% in preclinical trials. This work has been published in top journals like Nano Letters and ACS Nano, earning her the 2020 King Faisal Prize for Science.

Advancing Women in STEM

As KAUST's first female department head, Al-Mutairi has mentored over 100 Saudi women researchers. Her 'Women in Science' initiative provides scholarships and lab access to female students, helping increase female enrollment in KAUST's engineering programs from 12% to 35% between 2015-2023. She also co-founded the Arab Women in Nanotechnology Network, connecting 500+ researchers across the Middle East.

Global Impact

Al-Mutairi's nanotechnology research has been adopted by pharmaceutical companies like Roche and Novartis. Her collaboration with MIT's Koch Institute produced a portable cancer diagnostic device now used in rural Saudi Arabia. In 2022, she was featured in Nature's Women in Science series for her contributions to global health equity.