Farag, a PhD candidate in biotechnology at The American University in Cairo (AUC), received the Young Talents from Africa prize at the 2025 Eni Award ceremony for her doctoral research on sustainable wastewater treatment in Egypt. She is the only Egyptian and Arab researcher to receive this year’s honour.
The Eni Award, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Energy and Environment,” is one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for achievements in sustainability and technological innovation.
The award was presented to Farag at the Quirinal Palace in Italy by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Eni Chairman Giuseppe Zafarana, and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi, in recognition of her pioneering work in turning wastewater from an environmental challenge into a valuable source of eco-friendly treatment solutions.
Farag’s award-winning research, titled “Tailored Enzymatic-Based Treatment of Wastewater Using Extremophilic Enzymes,” introduces an innovative, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective method for treating wastewater in Egypt, particularly for removing heavy metals and antibiotic residues.
Her work applies biotechnology to use natural enzymes to combat pollution.
By extracting and analyzing microbial DNA from wastewater sludge, Farag discovered naturally occurring enzymes capable of breaking down toxic contaminants that conventional treatment systems cannot eliminate.
“My research focuses on solving the problem from within the problem itself,” Farag explained. “Wastewater is often seen as a source of contamination, but it contains microbial communities that can provide the very enzymes needed to clean it. Through biotechnology, we can turn waste into opportunity, protecting our water, our health, and our future.”
Using advanced biotechnology tools, Farag studied the microbes living in Egyptian wastewater and built a DNA library of more than 20,000 samples. She identified enzymes, such as laccase and mercury-reductase (MerA), with exceptional abilities to remove toxins.
These enzymes are now being developed into reusable, environmentally friendly solutions for efficient wastewater treatment, even under harsh conditions.
This new approach provides a sustainable alternative to chemical-based treatments and holds great potential to reduce water pollution, limit antimicrobial resistance, and enable the reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture and industry, vital goals for water-scarce countries like Egypt.
“Receiving the Eni Award is a great honour and an inspiration to continue pursuing research that tackles global environmental challenges,” Farag said. “It highlights the power of science and innovation to create real solutions for a sustainable future.”
Farag’s recognition underscores AUC’s leadership in advancing applied scientific research with global impact, particularly in areas of water security, pollution control, and sustainable development.
The Eni Awards, established in 2007 by the Italian energy company Eni, celebrate innovation in energy, the environment, and sustainability. Past winners include Nobel laureates and leading scientists from top international institutions.
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