Nobel Prize Conversations First reactions | Omar Yaghi, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 | Telephone interview
Oct 8, 2025
Omar Yaghi, the 2025 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, is a trailblazer in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). In a candid conversation, he shares his astonishment upon receiving the prize and reflects on his humble beginnings as a refugee. Yaghi passionately describes the beauty of chemistry, unveiling how controlling matter at the molecular level has vast applications like water purification and CO2 capture. He encourages students to explore their curiosity and the aesthetic appeal of science, reminding us all to dig deeper into the wonders of our world.
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Humble Beginnings Shaped A Scientist
- Omar Yaghi grew up in a humble refugee family sharing one small room and raising cattle as a child.
- He credits science as the path that allowed him to rise beyond his early circumstances.
Science As An Equalizer
- Science functions as an equalizing force that can unlock talent regardless of background.
- Yaghi emphasizes that talent exists everywhere and only needs opportunity to flourish.
From One-Paper Goal To 250,000 Citations
- Yaghi started his independent career at Arizona State University with a modest goal of one paper reaching 100 citations.
- He now notes his group's work has amassed over 250,000 citations, far beyond his early expectations.