La Isla Network (LIN) researcher Dr. Barrak Alahmad has been named among the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) 2025 Award Winners.
The AAAS awarded Dr. Alahmad with the Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science, highlighting his skill in conducting data-driven research and engaging the public with transformative science.
The recognition underscores the growing contribution to global heat stress research and data-driven solutions. The achievement is a win for the U.S., Kuwait, and for impactful binational relations underscored by scientific advancement of global problems.
Dr. Alahmad said,
“I am honored to receive the 2025 AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science.
“In Kuwait, we showed how public health research can uncover population vulnerabilities to climate and associated health inequities. Science is most powerful when it reaches beyond academia — shaping policies, protecting public health, and driving solutions to climate challenges.
“A heartfelt thank you goes to institutions that believed and supported this work: Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), La Isla Network, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Ministry of Health Kuwait, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait University, and Environment Public Authority-Kuwait. Their work continues to inspire commitment to research, public health, and environmental resilience in the Middle East.
“I look forward to working with the AAAS, Theresa Maldonado and Sudip Parikh to advance science engagement in all communities.”
Resounding Praise
Dr. Barrak Alahmad’s achievement sparked congratulations from both diplomatic and scientific communities worldwide.
The U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait congratulated Dr. Alahmad, calling the moment a testament to the strong scientific and educational ties between the two nations. The ambassador’s message emphasized how Dr. Alahmad’s research efforts exemplify the enduring partnership and shared commitment to innovation in Kuwait and the U.S.
LIN CEO Jason Glaser said,
“When we talk about ‘Impact Beyond the Impact Factor,’ this is what we mean. Rigorous data-driven research is what drives Dr. Alahmad’s work. This award honors that, as well as his ability to take academic research and translate it into a tangible public good — an invaluable skill befitting of the most adept scientists.”
AAAS Honors and International Focus
The AAAS annually acknowledges scientists who demonstrate outstanding work in their respective fields, aiming to foster scientific collaboration on a global scale. Dr. Alahmad’s addition to the 2025 Award Winners underscores not only his individual accomplishments but also Kuwait’s potential as a growing hub for research and development in the region.
A recent feature sheds light on Dr. Alahmad’s journey, exploring how personal dedication and strategic collaboration powered him to this milestone. In the interview, Dr. Alahmad discusses the necessity of cross-cultural dialogue, mentorship, and robust research infrastructure for emerging scientists worldwide.
Looking Ahead
With Dr. Alahmad’s inclusion on the prestigious AAAS list, hopes are high for greater investments in cutting-edge research and new mentorship programs within Kuwait and between Kuwait and the U.S. Commentators anticipate that the country’s rising profile in scientific circles will encourage future joint endeavors, both regionally and internationally.
For now, Dr. Alahmad’s latest accolade stands as a testament to the U.S. and Kuwait’s ever-expanding influence in the realm of science—and a call to action for the next generation of innovators to follow in his footsteps.
La Isla Network is an occupational health research and advisory nonprofit dedicated to ending heat-related illnesses among workers and their communities worldwide. We develop and implement data-driven worker protection and management assessment protocols to improve the resiliency of workforces and businesses to heat stress. Our work is backed by best-in-class researchers, industry leaders and government and multilateral institutions like the ILO. For more information please use our contact form.
