By Andi Anderson
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumnus Omar M. Yaghi has earned global recognition as one of the three recipients of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Now a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Yaghi completed his Ph.D. in chemistry at Illinois in 1990, where his passion for molecular science first took shape.
Yaghi shares this honor with Susuma Kitagawa of Kyoto University and Richard Robson of the University of Melbourne. Together, they developed metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—a revolutionary class of materials that can store toxic gases, catalyze chemical reactions, and capture carbon dioxide and water from the air.
Their discoveries have opened vast possibilities for environmental applications and sustainable chemical processes.
This achievement adds to the University of Illinois’ legacy of excellence. Yaghi becomes one of 12 alumni and 14 faculty members from Illinois to receive a Nobel Prize, with six of them recognized for chemistry. His doctoral advisor was Professor Walter G. Klemperer, under whose guidance Yaghi’s award-winning thesis earned Illinois’ best thesis award in 1990.
Illinois chemistry department head Catherine J. Murphy expressed pride in Yaghi’s success, noting, “He is a testament to the brilliant and creative students who come to the department of chemistry at the U. of I. to explore their passion for science.”
Illinois Chancellor Charles L. Isbell Jr. also celebrated the win, emphasizing that Yaghi’s groundbreaking work exemplifies the university’s mission to advance education and innovation for global good.
“Professor Yaghi’s achievements will inspire current and future generations of Illinois alumni who will take what they learn here and go on to change the world for the better,” Isbell said.
Yaghi’s recognition reaffirms the University of Illinois’ role in shaping leaders whose discoveries continue to influence the world of science.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dra-schwartz
Categories: Illinois, Education