24. Rawan Almallahi

Age: 29
Occupation: Senior Research Specialist at Dow Chemical Company
Nationality: Jordanian / American
Residence: U.S.
Category: Science & Technology

Almallahi assumed her current role in 2023. Her PhD research focuses on developing efficient systems to convert natural gas components into higher-value chemicals. She co-designed advanced catalysts and membranes integrated into a single reactor for propane dehydrogenation (PDH), producing propylene directly from propane. The reactor simultaneously separates hydrogen byproduct during the reaction, enhancing propylene formation beyond traditional limits and using the hydrogen as a clean heat source, eliminating the need for additional heaters. This innovation enables propylene production from natural gas more efficiently. She and her colleagues have filed a U.S. patent for this technology.