TEHRAN -- The sixth edition of the Mustafa (Peace Be Upon Him) Science and Technology Award, a prestigious biennial prize recognizing outstanding scientific achievements in the Islamic world, concluded with a grand ceremony at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on Monday. 
The event brought together distinguished scientists, policymakers, and dignitaries, including Hussein Afshin, Deputy for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy to the Iranian President; Ali Akbar Salehi, Chairman of the Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation Board; and Mehdi Safarinia, CEO of the Foundation.
Also in attendance was Muhammad Iqbal Chowdhury, Secretary-General of the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation among Islamic Countries (COMSTECH), alongside the laureates and leading scientists from across the Islamic world.
Named after the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the Mustafa Award aims to recognize and promote exceptional scientific and technological achievements by researchers from Islamic countries and beyond, provided their work has had a global impact. 
Since its inception in 2015, the award has been presented every two years during the Week of Unity, coinciding with the Prophet’s birth anniversary. Now in its sixth cycle, the award covers four key domains: Biomedical and Life Sciences, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, and Basic Sciences and Engineering.
Each laureate receives a gold medal, an honorary diploma, and a cash prize of $500,000—funded through scientific endowments and charitable foundations. Over the past decade, the Mustafa Award has become a beacon of scientific excellence, promoting innovation and collaboration across the Muslim world.
The rigorous selection process for the 2025 award began with a public call in February 2024, inviting nominations from institutions and individuals. Over 5,200 scientists were evaluated across the four categories. 
The evaluation criteria emphasized innovation, scientific impact, practical applicability, and long-term societal benefit. Following a multi-stage review, a shortlist of 97 candidates was reduced to 24 finalists. 
International expert panels reviewed each candidate’s portfolio, with approximately 100 global scholars providing detailed assessments. Ultimately, three laureates were chosen for their groundbreaking contributions.
Professor Mehmet Toner (Turkey/USA), awarded in Biomedical Sciences, is a pioneer in bioengineering. His groundbreaking work on microfluidic chips enables the isolation of rare circulating tumor cells, revolutionizing early cancer detection and treatment monitoring. Toner’s innovations continue to shape clinical diagnostics and training for future biomedical engineers.
Professor Vahab Mirrokni (Iran/USA), honored in Information and Communication Technologies, developed a novel “proximity-sensitive hash function” using stable distributions to dramatically accelerate large-scale data searches. His algorithmic breakthroughs underpin advances in data processing and have broad applications in machine learning and information retrieval.
Professor Muhammad Khaja Nazeeruddin (India/Switzerland), recognized in Basic Sciences and Engineering, has made seminal contributions to perovskite solar cells, advancing renewable energy technology. His innovations enable affordable, efficient solar power solutions with potential to transform energy access worldwide, especially in underserved regions.
For the first time, the Mustafa Award also introduced the “Young Scientists Medal,” honoring exceptional researchers under 40. The inaugural recipients include Iran’s Sepideh Mirzaei-Varzeghani, Malaysia’s Sho Pao Lok, and Turkey’s Buse Jevatemre. In a gesture underscoring the spirit of scientific mentorship, Professor Mirrokni donated his cash prize to support this new initiative aimed at fostering young talent across the Islamic world.
Ali Akbar Salehi, speaking at the ceremony, emphasized the central role of science in Islamic civilization, describing knowledge as both a guiding light and a pillar of cultural advancement. He highlighted the award’s mission to honor those who not only advance science but also apply their findings to societal betterment.