Eni Award 2025: Egyptian Researcher Shimaa Farag Turns Wastewater into a Clean Resource
Egyptian Researcher Shimaa Farag Turns Wastewater into a Clean Resource and won Eni Award 2025…
Shimaa Farag, an Egyptian PhD candidate in biotechnology at The American University in Cairo (AUC), has won the Eni Award 2025 in the Young Talents from Africa category for her pioneering work on biotechnology solutions that transform wastewater into a clean, reusable resource. She received the award at a ceremony held at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and senior Eni officials in attendance.
How Shimaa Farag Earned the Eni Award 2025
Farag is a PhD researcher and teaching assistant at AUC’s Department of Biology and Biotechnology. Her research focuses on sustainable wastewater treatment using advanced biotechnology. She was selected as one of the winners of Eni Award 2025 – the only Egyptian and Arab awardee in this year’s Young Talents from Africa category.
The award was presented by President Sergio Mattarella, Eni Chairman Giuseppe Zafarana, and CEO Claudio Descalzi, highlighting the international prestige of what is often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Energy”.
The Research: Enzymes That Clean Toxic Wastewater
Her award-winning project focuses on tailored enzymatic treatment of wastewater using extremophilic enzymes capable of withstanding harsh conditions. These enzymes target heavy metals and antibiotic residues — pollutants that conventional wastewater treatment systems struggle to remove effectively.
Using a functional metagenomic approach, Farag identifies natural enzymes from microbial communities in wastewater sludge, clones them, expresses them, and immobilizes them to create reusable biocatalysts for scalable water treatment applications.
From Wastewater to a Reusable Resource
Preliminary results show significant reductions in pollutants, making the treated water more suitable for reuse in agriculture and industry. This transforms wastewater from an environmental burden into a valuable resource.
What Is the Eni Award and Why Is It Known as the “Nobel of Energy”?
The Eni Award, launched in 2008 by Italian energy company Eni, is considered one of the world’s leading prizes in energy and environmental research. It recognizes innovative, sustainable solutions in categories such as Energy Transition, Energy Frontiers and Advanced Environmental Solutions.
Why This Achievement Matters for Egypt and the Arab World
Farag’s achievement highlights the scientific potential in Egypt and the Arab region, especially in fields linked to climate resilience, water scarcity and sustainable technology. Her work offers scalable solutions to environmental challenges facing developing countries.
AUC’s Role in Advancing Environmental Research
The American University in Cairo continues to position itself as a regional hub for impactful environmental and biotechnological research, providing the platform for innovations like Farag’s award-winning project to thrive.
Turning Wastewater into Opportunity
By honoring Shimaa Farag with the Eni Award 2025, the global scientific community recognizes a breakthrough that shifts the perception of wastewater—from a liability to a source of solutions. Her work shows how innovation emerging from the Global South can reshape the future of sustainable water management.
