Ahmed H. Zewail, born on 26 February 1946, in Damanhur, Egypt, emerged as one of the most influential chemists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Through his achievements, his journey from the Nile Delta to the pinnacle of scientific achievement exemplifies his personal ambition and the transformative power of knowledge and innovation. Zewail’s pioneering research into the dynamics of chemical reactions at the atomic level earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999, making him the first Egyptian and the first Arab to receive the Nobel Prize in a scientific category. Zewail’s fascination with science began in his childhood, where he often tinkered with makeshift laboratory experiments using household items. This early curiosity laid the groundwork for his later achievements according to Professor John Meurig Thomas from Cambridge University. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in 1967 and Master’s degree in 1969 from Alexandria University in chemistry, focusing on molecular spectroscopy, he went to the United States for his doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania in 1970, specializing in physical chemistry. It was during his doctoral studies that Zewail was introduced to the concept of coherence in…
Ahmed Zewail: The Noble Prize Winner Architect of Femtochemistry
March 4, 2025
By Belal Nawar
Senior Journalist
