Syrian researcher Fadia al-Haj Hussien has won the 2026 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for her work on affordable and reliable sustainable energy (SDG7).
The international award is granted to outstanding women researchers from developing countries in recognition of their scientific contributions to addressing global challenges, particularly in the fields of energy and sustainable development.
What does the research focus on?
In remarks to Enab Baladi, Dr. Fadia al-Haj Hussien, a researcher in organic chemistry and green chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Hama University, said her research focuses on developing innovative solutions in green chemistry and clean energy.
This is done by transforming local materials and industrial waste into effective substances that can be used as environmentally friendly catalysts in energy applications.
According to al-Haj Hussien, this approach aims to produce low-cost solutions that can be applied in resource-limited settings.
She said the importance of this research lies in its direct connection to community needs, especially amid the challenges facing the energy sector, as science can play an effective role in supporting economic stability and improving quality of life.
According to al-Haj Hussien, the results showed the potential to improve the efficiency of some energy-related processes, reduce costs, and lessen environmental impact.
Part of the research recommends repurposing industrial waste, particularly electric arc furnace slag (EAF slag), into effective materials for energy production processes.
The findings, she said, concluded that this slag could be used as a catalytic material in processes aimed at producing biofuel and hydrogen, helping reduce industrial waste on the one hand and develop clean and sustainable energy sources on the other.
Al-Haj Hussien said a Syrian researcher receiving this award has special significance, as it reflects the ability of Syrian scientific talent to continue producing and excelling despite difficult circumstances. It also confirms that investment in scientific research is one of the main pillars of reconstruction and sustainable development.
Dr. Fadia al-Haj Hussien, a researcher in organic chemistry and green chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Hama University (Enab Baladi)
A call to link scientific research with community needs
The researcher said the next phase requires stronger integration between scientific research and community needs, along with a supportive environment for researchers that allows scientific ideas to be turned into practical solutions serving people and society.
The 2026 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award focused on affordable and reliable sustainable energy (SDG7), one of the world’s key issues.
The Syrian researcher said the win represents international recognition of a research path pursued under difficult circumstances. She described it as a message that Syrian researchers are capable of reaching the global stage and competing internationally. She added that it also encourages her to continue developing research that directly serves society.
Further calls
In her remarks to Enab Baladi, al-Haj Hussien called for support for applied research related to energy, greater investment in green chemistry, and encouragement for the use of local resources instead of relying on imported solutions.
She also stressed the importance of strengthening the link between scientific research and community needs, emphasizing that Syrian researchers should be properly recognized.
Potential for local application
Asked whether the research could be applied in Syria, al-Haj Hussien said the potential exists in principle, especially since it relies on local materials and available industrial waste, which suits the country’s limited resources.
However, practical implementation requires institutional support and cooperation between universities and the industrial sector, as well as a supportive environment that can translate research findings into applied projects, she said. She expressed hope that such projects will be adopted in the future because of their role in supporting the energy sector and achieving sustainable development.
She also noted that this kind of research could form the foundation for future projects if the right supportive environment is available.
Al-Haj Hussien concluded her remarks to Enab Baladi by saying that the real challenge lies not in the absence of ideas or qualified people, but in turning those ideas into practical projects, something she hopes will be strengthened in the coming phase.
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