Pakistani Scientist Wins Prestigious International Award and €10,000 Prize in Finland
HELSINKI / ISLAMABAD: A young Pakistani scientist, Dr. Muhammad Mujtaba, has brought global recognition to Pakistan by winning the Young Researcher Award 2025 from the Finnish Foundation for Technology Promotion — one of Finland’s most prestigious honors for emerging scientists. Along with the award, he received a €10,000 cash prize in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to sustainable science.
Revolutionizing Materials with Nature
Dr. Mujtaba, who is currently based in Finland, is being celebrated for his innovative research on bio-based, eco-friendly materials that aim to replace harmful synthetic chemicals in everyday products. His work focuses on transforming natural resources, such as cellulose from plants and chitin from shellfish waste, into high-performance alternatives for use in packaging, coatings, cosmetics, and more.
One of his flagship projects, CELLIGHT, is particularly ambitious. It targets the replacement of hazardous mineral-based whitening agents — often used in products like paints, plastics, food, and cosmetics — with sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. These widely used minerals, while effective, pose serious environmental and health risks due to harmful mining and waste disposal practices.
“We’re developing materials that are not only safer and cleaner but also scalable for industrial use,” Dr. Mujtaba said. “Our goal is to merge performance with sustainability.”
From a Village in Pakistan to Global Acclaim
Dr. Mujtaba’s journey is one of perseverance and excellence. Raised in a rural village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, he overcame modest beginnings to become a leading name in the field of sustainable materials. He earned a fully-funded scholarship from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK), where he completed both his Master’s and PhD degrees in material science.
Today, at just 33 years old, he is a Senior Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, leading European research projects that bridge the gap between academic innovation and industrial application.
A Vision for Global Impact
While Dr. Mujtaba’s work has strong relevance in European markets, its implications for developing countries like Pakistan are especially significant. Nations facing urgent challenges in waste management and plastic reduction could greatly benefit from his sustainable innovations.
“We need to turn waste into value,” he said. “If developing countries invest in bio-based technologies, we can reduce pollution and build stronger, greener economies.”
A Rising Star in Global Science
Dr. Mujtaba has already published dozens of peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals and has been recognized twice by Stanford University as one of the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists. His work is frequently referenced by researchers and industry leaders worldwide.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As his career continues to rise, Dr. Mujtaba serves as a role model for young scientists in Pakistan and beyond. His story is a testament to how talent, hard work, and access to global opportunities can lead to transformational success.
“This award is not just for me — it’s for every young student in Pakistan who dreams of changing the world through science,” he said.
