Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, and researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi are tackling it from multiple angles. From clean energy and environmental systems to biology, data science, and human behavior, their work reflects a deeply interdisciplinary approach to building a more sustainable future.
Their impact is gaining global recognition: 46 NYUAD researchers have been named in the 2025 Stanford-Elsevier Top 2% Scholars List, underscoring the university’s growing role in shaping the science of a changing planet.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Global Research and Senior Vice Provost for Research at NYUAD Marta Losada notes, “NYUAD's vibrant and rapid growth to establish the leading research in the UAE that is globally visible and locally impactful is one of a kind, generating the excellence standard in research and development advancement of the UAE.”
This Earth Day, we spotlight a selection of these top-cited scholars and the ideas driving a more resilient future.
Improving materials for sustainability
At the foundation of sustainable infrastructure is the need for smarter, more efficient materials. Associate Professor Kemal Celik develops advanced construction materials that are carbon neutral and consume less fuel to manufacture.
Program Head of Chemistry Ali Trabolsi contributes to water security through his work at the Water Research Center, with the director of the center, Professor Nidal Hilal. His team developed a novel material capable of removing harmful “forever chemicals” from drinking water, helping protect ecosystems and ensure safer, more sustainable water resources.
Complementing this work, Assistant Professor Daniel James Johnson focuses on improving wastewater treatment technologies, including the development of novel membranes with greater resistance to fouling, making water systems more efficient and resilient.
Program Head of Mechanical Engineering Raed Hashaikeh works on advanced materials for water and energy storage, contributing to more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and four US patents.
Clean and sustainable energy
Data and materials innovation are also reshaping how energy is used and managed. Associate Professor Borja García de Soto uses sensor-driven systems to deliver real-time insights into indoor environmental quality and air conditions, enabling smarter decision-making and more efficient energy use.
At the molecular level, Professor Panče Naumov’s Smart Materials Lab is developing new materials with applications across energy, water, and health. Some of his lab’s recent discoveries include bioinspired and biomimetic materials for water harvesting and purification technologies.
Technology and hardware
As artificial intelligence becomes a critical tool in addressing environmental challenges, researchers are rethinking the energy demands of computing itself. Professor Muhammad Shafique focuses on energy-efficient systems and next-generation AI hardware, helping to reduce the environmental footprint of increasingly data-driven technologies.
Sustainable supply chains and mobility
Beyond materials and energy, sustainability also depends on how goods and people move. Professor Ali Diabat works on optimizing logistics and supply chains to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Similarly, Professor Elisabetta Cherchi explores sustainable mobility through data-driven approaches, supporting the adoption of innovations such as electric and automated transport systems.
Understanding ocean health and environmental change
In marine systems, NYUAD researchers are uncovering how ecosystems respond to environmental stress. Professor John Burt uses the Arabian Gulf as a natural laboratory to study how marine organisms adapt to extreme conditions—offering insights into the future of tropical ecosystems under climate change.
At the microscopic level, Associate Professor Shady Amin investigates how microbiomes influence the adaptation and evolution of marine hosts. His work, which includes extensive data collection along the Abu Dhabi coast, helps improve the prediction of harmful algal blooms and other environmental phenomena.
Both Professor Burt and Amin also work closely with Principal Investigator Francesco Paparella at the The Mubadala Arabic Center for Climate and Environmental ScienceS (ACCESS). ACCESS is a leading research center on climate and environment of the Arabian peninsula and the Gulf region.
