Ahmed Zewail Bio, Birthday, Birthsign, Birthplace, Height and Profession

Ahmed Zewail, born on February 26, 1946, in Damanhur, Egypt, was a renowned Egyptian-American scientist and Nobel laureate. He made significant contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly in the area of femtochemistry, which involves studying chemical reactions on extremely short timescales. Zewail completed his early education in Egypt and obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from Alexandria University. He then pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1974. Following his doctoral studies, Zewail joined the faculty at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he spent the majority of his career. One of Zewail's most notable achievements was the development of the field of femtochemistry, which allowed scientists to observe and understand chemical reactions at the timescale of femtoseconds (one quadrillionth of a second). He pioneered the use of ultrafast laser techniques to capture these rapid reactions, providing unprecedented insights into the fundamental processes of chemistry. Zewail's groundbreaking work in femtochemistry earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999, making him the first Egyptian and the first Arab to receive a Nobel Prize in a scientific field. His research not only advanced the understanding of chemical reactions but also had implications for various fields, including materials science, biology, and medicine. Apart from his scientific contributions, Zewail was actively involved in promoting science education and research in Egypt and the Arab world. He established the Zewail City of Science and Technology in Egypt, a research and educational institution aimed at fostering scientific innovation and collaboration. Throughout his career, Zewail received numerous accolades and honors for his scientific achievements. He was a member of several prestigious scientific societies, including the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London. Zewail also served as a science advisor to the United States government and was involved in various international scientific organizations. Tragically, Ahmed Zewail passed away on August 2, 2016, at the age of 70. His contributions to the field of chemistry and his dedication to advancing scientific research continue to inspire future generations of scientists worldwide.