From Pardis to Stockholm: Omar Yaghi’s journey from IIID to the global stage

A decade after visiting the Iran International Innovation District (IIID) and praising its vision and people, Professor Omar Yaghi of UC Berkeley has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering work in designing and developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

Professor Omar Yaghi, a world-renowned chemist and one of the founding leaders in reticular chemistry, first visited Iran in 2015 (1394) when he received the Mustafa Prize (PBUH) for his contributions to nanoscience and nanotechnology. During his trip, he toured Pardis Technology Park—one of the country’s major hubs for science and industrial innovation.
In the park’s guestbook, Yaghi described Pardis Technology Park as “an exceptional place with exceptional people in a country of deep traditions,” highlighting the commitment of talented researchers and emerging companies to turn a visionary plan into reality.
Today, ten years later, Yaghi’s groundbreaking research in creating porous materials—MOFs and covalent organic frameworks (COFs)—has brought him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His work offers practical solutions for clean water and air, energy storage, carbon dioxide capture, and the advancement of sustainable technologies.
Yaghi’s enduring connection to IIID is a testament to the strong link between Iran’s innovation ecosystem and leading global scientists—a link that continues to inspire a new generation of Iranian researchers.