Renowned chemist and UC Berkeley professor Omar M. Yaghi has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Princeton University, one of six such honors conferred at its 2025 Commencement ceremony. The prestigious recognition celebrates Yaghi’s pioneering contributions to chemistry, particularly his creation of new materials to address some of society’s most urgent challenges.
A global leader in reticular chemistry, Yaghi is best known for inventing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of crystalline materials with enormous internal surface area and unprecedented tunability. His work has opened transformative possibilities in carbon capture, clean energy storage, water harvesting from desert air, and other pressing environmental applications.
Yaghi's research has also played a key role in shaping the mission of BIDMaP, where he serves as Co-Director. At BIDMaP, Yaghi is collaborating with data scientists, chemists, and materials theorists to revolutionize the discovery of new materials using machine learning and automated synthesis. His team’s work exemplifies BIDMaP’s vision of accelerating innovation at the interface of chemistry and data science.
"Professor Yaghi’s recognition by Princeton is not only a reflection of his scientific brilliance but also a celebration of the collaborative, forward-looking ethos that defines BIDMaP," said BIDMaP Director Sarah Jones. "His work continues to inspire our efforts to harness data-driven methods for societal good."
Learn more about the honorary degree recipients on the Princeton University website.