Muscat Researcher Wins 2025 L’Oréal–UNESCO Young Talents Award for Middle East
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: Ahood bint Mohammed Al-Ghadhaniyah, a PhD researcher at Sultan Qaboos University, has been awarded the 2025 L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Award for the Middle East in recognition of her pioneering research on reducing post-harvest losses in Oman.
Al-Ghadhaniyah received the honor for her scientific study titled “Designing Innovative Packaging to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses in Oman,” which tackles one of the most significant challenges in the agricultural supply chain. Her work proposes innovative, science-based packaging solutions aimed at minimizing losses and enhancing the protection of fresh produce.
Using advanced finite element modeling techniques, Al-Ghadhaniyah simulates how agricultural products and their packaging respond to mechanical forces, including vibrations experienced during transportation. The research aims to develop more efficient packaging designs capable of safeguarding fruits and vegetables across all stages of the supply chain.
The L’Oréal–UNESCO Young Talents Award seeks to encourage the participation of young women scientists from GCC countries and Yemen. It recognizes outstanding female researchers in diverse fields, including life sciences—such as biology, genetics, biotechnology, neuroscience, health sciences, ecology, and behavioral sciences—and physical sciences, encompassing physics, chemistry, engineering, information sciences, earth sciences, and space sciences.
Several Omani women have been recipients of this prestigious award in past years, reflecting the nation’s growing presence in scientific research. Previous awardees include:
- Dr. Raihana bint Abdul Muneim Al-Mujaini (2011)
- Dr. Athraa bint Hilal Al-Maawali (2015)
- Dr. Lamya bint Adnan Al-Haj (2018)
- Dr. Fatma bint Ali Al-Maamari (2019)
- Dr. Maha bint Zakaria Al-Riyami (2022)
Al-Ghadhaniyah’s achievement adds to Oman’s record of excellence in promoting women’s participation in scientific innovation and research.
