UAE Researcher Aysha AlShehhi Wins Prestigious 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Award
Dubai, The Gulf Observer: The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has announced that Aysha AlShehhi, a PhD candidate in Engineering with a concentration in Robotics at Khalifa University and a researcher in collaboration with Dubai Future Labs (DFL), has been named a winner of the 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program.
The prestigious programme recognises exceptional young women scientists from across the Middle East who are driving scientific advancement. Its mission is to strengthen female participation in STEM fields by celebrating their achievements, supporting their research, and funding innovative projects that contribute to global scientific progress.
Since its inception in 1998, the international initiative has supported more than 4,400 women researchers in over 140 countries, solidifying its role as one of the world’s leading platforms for women in science.
The 2025 awards ceremony was held at Dubai’s Museum of the Future, where six women from the GCC were honoured for their scientific contributions. The winners were selected by an international jury of distinguished experts, underscoring the global recognition of their work.
Reflecting on the honour, Aysha AlShehhi said:
“This global initiative is a motivating affirmation of the importance of pursuing science and continuous learning. It highlights the essential role women play across science and research fields, and how their contributions enhance the quality of life for communities around the world.”
At Dubai Future Labs, AlShehhi works on developing advanced robotic systems. Her passion for robotics began during her undergraduate studies, when she undertook a research internship at the BioRobotics Institute in Italy. She later joined DFL as an intern while pursuing her Master’s degree, contributing to applied robotics projects—an experience that solidified her commitment to the field and shaped her decision to pursue a PhD.
Her recognition in the 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO programme marks a significant milestone both for her career and for women’s scientific contributions in the region.
