Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation’s Stars of Science announced that applications for its upcoming season 15 are open, inviting Arab youth aiming to become agents of change in their communities to apply for the opportunity to join an illustrious innovator community that recently welcomed the show’s first female winner in its history.
A unique edutainment initiative that introduces talented Arab innovators and their ideas to millions of viewers around the world every year, Stars of Science exposes youth throughout the region to the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship. It highlights how some of the region’s brightest minds are addressing regional and global challenges across numerous sectors, like healthcare, sustainable development, workplace safety, and more.
Sumaiya Said Sulaiman Al Siyabi claimed the title of ‘best Arab innovator’ for season 14 by securing the highest score from the show’s jury and audience with her “Remediation and Disposal of Micro-Plastics” project. A floating sphere comprised of microbial mats and nanomaterials that accelerate the dissolution of micro-plastics it comes into contact with, her environmentally friendly device will float among patches of plastic garbage in our oceans, trapping and disposing of microplastics that break free.
According to Al Siyabi, Stars of Science provided tailored support that ensured she and her fellow contestants could bring their inventions to life while also furthering their development as innovators. “The show gave us unparalleled access to scientific and industry experts as well as cutting edge research and development tools to use however we needed to. Personally, engaging with the show’s jury and other thought leaders from a variety of fields gave me the confidence to publically present my project and win the support of potential investors.”
With 161 innovators representing 18 Arab countries, the Stars of Science’s alumni community are actively contributing toward a productive entrepreneurial culture within the region. As ambassadors of scientific research and innovation, they represent local drivers of change in their communities and a network which incoming participants can reach out to and collaborate with long after their time on the show.
Alumnus and season 12 winner Waddah Malaeb recently secured further investment for his groundbreaking Stars of Science project, the Ductal Organoid-on-a-Chip, and his biomedical research and development startup, DLOC Biosystems, in the UK. Forbes Middle East named Malaeb as one of their "30 under 30" most promising young entrepreneurs pioneers, and creatives throughout the MENA region for 2022. Alumnus Ahmad Al Ghazi developed his idea while on the show into a viable product, eventually starting a Silicon Valley-based company, ‘CAN mobilities’, to launch his invention, Can Go, the technologically augmented walking cane, to the market.
Throughout its history, Stars of Science has fostered relationships with local institutions including Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar University, University of Doha for Science and Technology and the Qatar Scientific Club. Internationally, the show has built relationships with premier innovation hubs around the world to supplement candidates’ innovation journeys with an international context and encourage global connections. This year, the season 14 finalists visited the USA to meet with fellow innovators at The Johns Hopkins University Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design, the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
To apply for Stars of Science season 15, please register by December 30, 2022 on the website www.starsofscience.info, where you can also learn more about the alumni, innovations, and what their successes could mean for you.
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