On Areej Al-Muqbil
Areej Al-Muqbil is a researcher, public speaker, and startup founder working in the field of climate innovation and environmental systems. Her work focuses on developing and advancing research-driven solutions to climate and sustainability challenges, with particular emphasis on translating scientific research into practical, institutional, and policy-relevant applications. She has conducted research across environmental science and sustainability, contributed to peer-reviewed publications, and founded initiatives addressing environmental and climate-related challenges. Alongside her research, she engages in public speaking and global forums on climate innovation, youth leadership, and long-term environmental responsibility, contributing to international discussions at the intersection of science, policy, and impact.
Formation & Orientation
Areej Al-Muqbil was raised across multiple cultural and geographic contexts, with familial roots spanning Saudi Arabia, France, Italy, Morocco, Canada, and the United States. Having lived in Djibouti, Indonesia, France, and Morocco, her early formation was shaped by multilingual environments and cross-cultural systems, contributing to a global orientation toward education, science, and intellectual inquiry.
Scholarship and Academia
Areej Al-Muqbil is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Development at Columbia University in the United States. She graduated as valedictorian of The Batool Academy, an international school in Saudi Arabia, reflecting sustained academic excellence across a rigorous multidisciplinary curriculum. At Columbia, she is an I.I. Rabi Scholar, a highly selective designation named after Nobel laureate Isidor Isaac Rabi and awarded annually to the top ten cohort of the university’s most accomplished incoming students. The program provides research funding and access to laboratories and faculty within the Columbia Climate School, supporting early engagement in interdisciplinary research in climate science, environmental systems, and applied sustainability. Through this academic pathway, her scholarship is oriented toward research that bridges scientific inquiry with institutional and policy-relevant applications.
Affiliations and Roles
Areej Al-Muqbil holds research and engagement roles across leading academic, scientific, and multilateral institutions, including the Columbia Climate School, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and the United Nations. Through these affiliations, her work spans climate research, applied environmental science, and international policy engagement at the intersection of science, institutions, and global impact.
Meet the Team
Sustainable Research at Climate School
Conducts interdisciplinary sustainability and environmental research under Prof. Shahid Naeem within the E3B Lab, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and climate–nature interactions at global scales.
Cryogenic Carbon Capture Research
Developed a novel contact liquid for a pilot-scale cryogenic carbon capture plant under Prof. William Roberts, as part of a $20M flagship research program, among the largest cryogenic carbon capture initiatives worldwide.
Weather Forecasting Research at FBK
Developed a subseasonal weather forecasting system leveraging temperature anomalies, with large-scale modeling and validation conducted on Leonardo Supercomputer, one of Europe’s most powerful supercomputers.
Industrial Development Organization
Represented UNIDO at global forums and international platforms, speaking on youth development, education, and opportunity creation, with a strategic focus on advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Material Science Research at KACST
Developed a novel anti-dust coating for renewable applications on solar panels and architectural glass, delivering major efficiency and optical transparency gains with multi-billion-dollar annual savings potential.
Elite Member at Misk Leadership
Selected as an elite member of the Distinct Program for exceptional achievement, and represented Misk Global Forum (MGF) over multiple years as a speaker and moderator on entrepreneurship and research excellence.
Alumni Member and Ambassador
Alumni Grand Award Winner of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) Society for Science’s flagship program, serving for multiple years as an ambassador advancing global scientific research.
Anthropology and Politics Scholar
Alumna of Prof. James Herron’s economics–anthropology classroom; developed anthropological essays, research papers, and analytical arguments at the intersection of culture, political economy, and social theory.
Alumni Member and Global Ambassador
Participated in multiple certified programs, and represented Mawhiba globally across multiple continents, advancing research development initiatives aligned with the organization’s mission to cultivate exceptional talent.
iRead Program Global Ambassador
Selected from over 100,000 youth worldwide to attend the iRead Conference and represented the initiative as lead speaker on Ithra main stage, serving as ambassador advancing intellectual engagement globally.
Global Literary Ambassador
Selected from over 22 million youth worldwide for literary achievement and authorship, and currently serves as a global ambassador advancing literacy, culture, and knowledge exchange across international platforms.
Convolutional Neural Networks Research
Conducted internationally awarded research developing a CNN-based diagnostic method for glaucoma, resulting in a granted patent and presentations across multiple countries on its clinical and technological impact.
Honors and Recognitions
Areej's work has been recognized through over 45 international honors, fellowships, and distinctions with spanning research, leadership, and global engagement, reflecting a sustained commitment to excellence and impact across scientific, cultural, and public spheres.
Awards
2016 The International Youth Research Award from Al-Rahma Hospital in Djibouti
2017 The National Academic Acceleration Award in Science and Humanities from Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia
2020 Youth Excellence First Place Award from The Jazalh Women Organization in Saudi Arabia
2022 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Award from The United Arab Emirates
2023 Special Award from IELTS IDP Given in National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, Ibdaa, in Saudi Arabia
2024 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Award in Saudi Arabia
2024 Youth Entrepreneurship Award First Place Gold Medal from Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia
2024 Global Special Award from Wolfram Research Incorporation in Los Angeles, United States
2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Material Science Grand Award from Society of Science in United States
2024 Research Development Special Award from Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council in Doha, Qatar
2024 International Research Special Award from King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation Mawhiba in Ohio, United States
2024 The Annual Saudi Arabia Top Distinguished Youth Honorary Award from Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia
2024 $20 Million Research Grant from Ministry of Energy in Saudi Arabia
2025 International Special Award from The Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture in Saudi Arabia
2025 Development Special Award from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia
2025 Forbes Magazine Feature on Global Excellence in Research from Switzerland
2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Environmental Engineering Grand Award in Ohio, United States
2025 Research Excellence Special Award from Fondazione Bruno Kessler in Trento, Italy
2025 Special Award from DataClassroom in Ohio, United States
Medals
2024 Honorary Medal and Grand Award from Taiwan International Science Fair (TISF) in Taipei, Taiwan
2024 HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal Royal Badge of Honor from The Royal Municipality in Saudi Arabia
2025 HRH Prince Husam bin Saud Royal Badge of Honor for Economic Achievement by The Royal Municipality in Saudi Arabia
Scholarships
2022 Abu Dhabi University Global Full-Funded Scholarship in The United Arab Emirates
2023 King Saud University Full-Funded Scholarship in Sciences in Saudi Arabia
2023 King Abdulaziz University Full-Funded Scholarship in Academics in Saudi Arabia
2023 Imam bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal University Full-Funded Scholarship in Saudi Arabia
2023 Princess Noura bint Abdulrahman University Full-Funded Scholarship in Saudi Arabia
2024 Long Island University Presidential Scholarship in Long Island, United States
2024 The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques Full Scholarship by The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia
2024 King Faisal University Full-Funded Scholarship in Saudi Arabia
2024 King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Full Scholarship
2025 University of California, Berkeley Regents and Chancellor's Scholarship in California, United States
2025 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Gifted Student Program Full Scholarship in United States
2025 Isidor Isaac Rabi (I.I Rabi) Scholarship for Research Excellence by Columbia University in New York, United States
Recognitions
2022 Bennington College Young Writers International Recognition by Bennington College in Vermont, United States
2022 The National Intangible Cultural Heritage Honorary Recognition by Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia
2023 Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Global Recognition by U.S Department of Defense in United States
2023 The International Invention and Trade Expo, London (ITE Expo) Recognition in London, United Kingdom
2023 The International iRead Diplomatic Debate Recognition by Ithra in Saudi Arabia
2023 The International Climate Science Olympiad High Performance Honor in The United States
2024 The International Youth Intellectual Property Recognition by The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia
2024 Missouri University of Science and Technology Scholar Nominee in Missouri, United States
2024 McDonald's Gobal Honor for Outstanding Scientific Innovation in Saudi Arabia
2024 King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture Ithra Recognition for Contributions to Research and Innovation in Saudi Arabia
2024 The Distinguished Achievement in Research and Technology Honor by Aramco in Saudi Arabia
2024 The Al-Ula Oasis City Honor for Excellence in Scientific Contribution in Saudi Arabia
2024 Al-Inma Bank Honor for Pioneering Innovation and Research in Saudi Arabia