SRINAGAR — Dr Shabir Hassan has become the first scientist from Jammu and Kashmir to be awarded the BRICS International Award 2025 for Excellence in Research and Promoting Education Across Borders and Cultures.
Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Khalifa University in the UAE, Dr Hassan’s remarkable journey began in the humble surroundings of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district and has taken him to some of the world’s top institutions, including Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the United States.
His cutting-edge research focuses on tackling diseases like cancer and rare genetic disorders, using advanced tools such as 3D bioprinting, smart biomaterials, and high-resolution bioimaging.
Dr Hassan’s work goes far beyond laboratories. With over 70 scientific publications and innovations like low-cost mini-microscopes and artificial self-oxygenating tissues, his contributions are helping make science more accessible and impactful.
He has previously received international accolades, including the Endeavour Award from the Australian Government and a Research Excellence Award from Yonsei University in South Korea.
While receiving the BRICS award in Moscow, Dr Hassan reflected on his journey, sharing meaningful moments with fellow scientists and highlighting collaborative projects like Space Zero, which explores biotechnology for sustainable living in space. “Science, for me, is about people,” he said. “It’s about using ideas to create real change in lives across the world.”
Despite his global presence, Dr Hassan remains deeply connected to his roots. He believes that growing up in Kashmir taught him how to make the most out of limited resources. “We didn’t have much, but we had ambition,” he said.
A strong advocate for mentoring young scientists from underrepresented backgrounds, he sees this award not as a destination but a doorway to lift others. “This recognition is for every student in Kashmir who studied under candlelight, who dreamed of contributing to science against all odds. It’s proof that determination, empathy, and education can break every barrier,” Dr Hassan said.
Dr Shabir Hassan’s achievement is not just a personal victory but a symbol of what can be accomplished with resilience and vision, no matter where you come from.
