Key Facts
• October 8, 2025: Nobel Chemistry Prize announced.
• Omar Yaghi, 60, from the University of California, Berkeley, co-wins with Susumu Kitagawa, 74.
• Yaghi was born in 1965 in Amman, Jordan, to Palestinian refugee parents.
• His family lived in poverty, sharing a single room with over 10 people and livestock.
• At age 10, Yaghi discovered his passion for molecular science through library books.
• At 15, he moved to the U.S. for higher education, overcoming language barriers.
• Yaghi expressed gratitude for science, stating it helped him overcome challenges.
• Nobel Committee interview: Yaghi emphasized the importance of providing opportunities to unlock talent.
• Co-recipient Kitagawa is a professor at Kyoto University’s Advanced Research Institute.
Summary
Omar Yaghi, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University. Born in 1965 in Amman, Jordan, to Palestinian refugee parents, Yaghi overcame significant hardships, including poverty and limited access to basic utilities. His passion for molecular science began at age 10, leading him to pursue education in the United States at 15. Yaghi credited science for helping him navigate life’s challenges and highlighted the global need to provide opportunities for talent to flourish. The Nobel Committee recognized his groundbreaking contributions to chemistry, underscoring his inspiring journey from adversity to global recognition.
