Mirza Barzegani, assistant professor of cell and developmental biology in the scientific research department at Islamic Azad University in Tehran, is one of the first recipients of this newly established medal at the New Year’s Science Science Festival.
Founded in 2012, the Mustafa Award is considered one of the most prestigious science and technology awards in the Islamic world.
Since 2015, the award has been awarded to outstanding researchers every two years in three main categories: Life, Medicine and Technology, Information and Communication Science and Technology, Basic and Engineering Science.
The $500,000 worth of awards will be awarded to scientific achievements that improve human life, boost boundaries of knowledge, and introduce new methodologies.
Mustafa Award Scientific Committee Head Ali Akbar Salehi explained that the new award category, Young Scientist Medal, was introduced in 2023 and was built on the experience of five rounds of the Mustafa Award.
“The medal is awarded every other year to young elite individuals under the age of 40, and its innovative and impactful work contributes to improving human life,” Salehi said.
The medal was founded by the Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation and supported the donation of two prominent scientists. Professor Ugur Sahin and Mustafa Prize winner Omid Farovzad. Both donated awards to launch the initiative.
“Recognizing young scientists and celebrating scientific and technical achievements is not just a gesture of gratitude. It is an investment that will mark the rise of Islamic civilization,” Salehi said in his remarks.
According to Salehi, the evaluation process this year has been extremely competitive, with 1,002 science and technology documents being submitted to the awards secretariat in three main areas. 207 Information and Communication Science and Technology, 81 in Biological and Medical Technology, 714 in Basic Science and Engineering.
Each winner of the Young Scientist Medal will receive both a certification certificate and a $10,000 prize.
RHM/Press TV