A young Pakistani researcher has earned global recognition for his work in sustainable materials science. Dr. Muhammad Mujtaba, now based in Finland, has received the Young Researcher Award 2025 from the Finnish Foundation for Technology Promotion, one of the country’s most respected honors for emerging scientists.
Dr. Mujtaba’s research focuses on creating bio-based materials that can replace toxic chemicals used in daily products. His innovative work uses natural resources like cellulose from plants and chitin from shellfish waste to develop safer materials for packaging, coatings, and cosmetics. These alternatives are designed to reduce pollution and dependency on harmful synthetic compounds.
Replacing Harmful Minerals with Sustainable Solutions
One of his key projects, CELLIGHT, targets the replacement of hazardous minerals often used as whitening agents in paints, plastics, food, and beauty products. These minerals, though effective, have damaging environmental and health effects due to unsafe mining and disposal practices. The CELLIGHT team is developing biobased, scalable alternatives that promise both sustainability and industrial efficiency.
From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Finland’s Research Frontier
Born and raised in a small village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Dr. Mujtaba’s academic journey began with a scholarship from TÜBİTAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye). He completed his Master’s and PhD in Türkiye before joining VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland as a senior scientist. Today, he leads multiple projects that bridge academic innovation with practical industrial applications.
A Global Impact Beyond Borders
While his current research serves European industries, its potential reaches far beyond. For developing countries like Pakistan, where plastic pollution and waste management are major challenges, his work could serve as a model for sustainable growth. By converting natural and waste materials into high-performance alternatives, Dr. Mujtaba’s research offers a blueprint for eco-friendly industrial development.
At just 33 years old, Dr. Mujtaba has already published numerous papers in leading scientific journals. He has also been recognized twice by Stanford University among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists. His dedication and achievements reflect not only his personal excellence but also the growing presence of Pakistani talent on the global scientific stage.