UAlbany Alum Omar Yaghi ’85 Shares 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

(Photo courtesy of UC Berkeley.)

University at Albany and Hudson Valley Community College alum Omar M. Yaghi has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, sharing the honor with Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University and Richard Robson of the University of Melbourne.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized the three researchers for their development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) — porous molecular architectures with vast internal surface area and the ability to capture, store and transform gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor. The breakthrough has opened new frontiers in clean energy, environmental remediation and sustainable water collection.

Born in Amman, Jordan, Yaghi moved to the United States at age 15 and later settled in Troy, N.Y., to pursue his education. He earned his associate in science degree in Liberal Arts & Science-Mathematics & Science from Hudson Valley in 1983, followed by his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UAlbany in 1985, graduating cum laude.

“On behalf of the entire University at Albany community, I congratulate Omar M. Yaghi ’85 on sharing the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry,” said University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez. “That an interest in chemistry nurtured right here on the UAlbany campus could one day lead to this highest honor for scientific exploration and discovery should surprise no one familiar with the curiosity, drive, and talent of UAlbany students. Here at UAlbany, we take talented, driven students and give them the support and opportunities they need to become engaged global citizens — and, in this case, Nobel Prize winners. You have made your 200,000 fellow UAlbany alumni enormously proud, Dr. Yaghi, and you have once again reminded the world that it is always a great day to be a Great Dane.” Read more.