Skip Navigation

Texas A&M at Qatar professor named Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Published Jun 10, 2021

Dr. Mohammed Al Hashimi, research associate professor in Texas A&M University at Qatar’s Science Program, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) in recognition of his contributions to the field of chemistry.

A Royal Society of Chemistry fellow must have made a significant impact to their field of chemical sciences and be distinguished in the management of a chemical sciences organization. The distinction requires acceptance and adherence to a specific code of conduct and an established set of high standards of ethical and professional behavior. 

Al-Hashimi joins a distinguished list of Texas A&M chemists who have previously been recognized as FRSC: Hassan S. Bazzi (2018), Kim Dunbar (2018), Sarbajit Banerjee (2016), Hongcai Joe Zhou (2015), Marcetta Y. Darensbourg (2014), Kevin Burgess (2013), Abraham Clearfield (2013), François P. Gabbaï (2013) and James D. Batteas (2012).

Al-Hashimi was previously recognized by Qatar Foundation for the “Best Research Presentation Award in the Energy and Environment Pillar" in 2016 and most recently he was awarded the “Faculty Research Excellence Award” by Texas A&M at Qatar.

Dr. César Octavio Malavé, dean of Texas A&M at Qatar, said, “Dr. Al-Hashimi is very deserving of this prestigious honor. His contribution to research, teaching and our community has been immeasurable. Dr. Al-Hashimi has been an outstanding teacher and researcher, and a great asset to Texas A&M at Qatar since he joined us in 2013.” 

Al-Hashimi's research team focuses on the synthesis of organic polymers, particularly the design and synthesis of organic semiconductor materials for a range of optoelectronic applications. Those include field-effect transistors, photovoltaic devices, light-emitting diodes and sensors. His interests also include synthesis of recoverable, reusable homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts.

As a research associate professor, Al-Hashimi also supervises six postdoctoral research assistants and twelve undergraduate students from Texas A&M at Qatar for projects funded by the Qatar National Research Fund. He has significant project management experience in industrial and academic settings, with direct experience in corporate research and customer-focused business units and managing grants in the UK and Qatar.

Al-Hashimi received his M.Sci. Honors degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2003, followed by a Ph.D. in 2007 from Queen Mary University of London. He subsequently worked as a senior development chemist at Evotec in Oxfordshire (UK) and later joined the chemistry department at Imperial College London as a postdoctoral researcher in 2008. Before joining Texas A&M at Qatar in 2013, Al-Hashimi worked at Qatar University as an assistant professor.

Al-Hashimi said, “It is a special privilege and a pleasure to be named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a distinguished organization known worldwide. Indeed, it is more notable as it is recognized by peers and senior researchers across the chemical sciences. It is exciting to discover that our research efforts in the field of optoelectronics has been acknowledged, and has made great scientific impact in the field of the chemical sciences.”

Al-Hashimi added that as a Fellow of the RSC, his goal is to promote the value of scientific research to the next generation of chemists and chemical engineers in Qatar and abroad. “I welcome the opportunity to engage with other researchers through this platform at events organized by the Royal Society and at international conferences in shaping the future of chemistry,” he said.

Al-Hashimi’s contributions to the field of chemistry have earned him acclaim from his peers.

Dr. Bernhard Lamel, program chair of the Science Program at Texas A&M at Qatar, said, “Dr. Al-Hashimi’s recognition as a FRSC is a remarkable achievement, particularly at this early stage of his career. Being named as a fellow shows both the impact that his work has in the international community and the high regard in which he is held by the colleagues in his field around the globe. The recognition also reflects the standing of TAMUQ’s chemistry faculty in the region and worldwide.”

Dr. Tobin Jay Marks, professor of catalytic chemistry and material science at Northwestern University and a collaborator on Al-Hashimi’s research projects, said, “Dr. Al-Hashimi has established an impressive track record of achievements in the field of organic electronics and photovoltaics. These clearly qualify him to be recognized an FRSC.”

The Royal Society of Chemistry is the world’s leading chemistry community for advancing excellence in the chemical sciences. With more than 54,000 members and a knowledge business that spans the globe, the group is the UK’s professional body for chemical scientists — a not-for-profit organization with 180 years of history and an international vision of the future that promotes, supports and celebrates chemistry while working to shape the future of the chemical sciences to benefit both science and humanity.