HER STORY

The Inspiring Life Journey of Dr. Arwa From A Girl-Next-Door to a Material Scientist

Rising as Legend is ARWA's vision:

The legends always have something unique about them that sets them apart from the rest. It could be their unyielding determination to pursue science in depth, their natural charisma, or their immense talent. Whatever it is, it allows them to achieve great things and leave a lasting impression on those around them. We all have the potential to become legends ourselves. It may not be on the same scale as those who came before us, but we can still make our positive Mark LIGHT on the world. All it takes is believing in ourselves and never giving up on our dreams. Then, one day, we too can join the ranks of legends who are remembered long after they’re gone.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             “A journey full of LIGHT” 

Arwa is a remarkable woman who has chosen to stand up for her rights and refuses to be marginalized and she determines to add a great and positive contribution. With a Strong iron will, she has faced the challenges. Arwa’s story shows us that no matter how difficult the odds may be, we can still stand up for what we believe in and make our scientific ideas Electrifying.

Who is Dr. Arwa Saud Abbas?

Dr. Arwa Saud Abbas needs no introduction. She is an energetic, spirited, dynamic, and self-motivated researcher with impeccable skills, creativity, and ambition. She is one of the youngest material scientists we have today across the world. She is the 1 st Saudi woman to study and work at prof. Nakamura (Nobel prize laureate) laboratory. It’s great to hear about such an accomplished researcher! It sounds like she is a true asset to the field of material science. With her impressive set of qualities, it’s no wonder that she has been able to achieve so much at such a young age. Her energy and motivation are likely key factors in her success, and her creativity and ambition are sure to lead to even more groundbreaking discoveries in the future. It’s inspiring to see young professionals making such an impact in their field.
She is passionate and well-oriented toward building her potential research plans. It is inspiring to come across individuals who have a clear vision of their research goals and the drive to pursue them relentlessly. The passion and determination to make groundbreaking discoveries are qualities that set such individuals apart. Additionally, the willingness to take calculated risks and try new approaches is crucial for success in research. Embracing the challenge of exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries of knowledge is an honor that only a select few can claim. With such an attitude, this individual is sure to achieve great things in their research career.
She envisions implementing and applying the results of her research into reality for advancing technologies in creative fields such as Electronics, Photonics, Nanotechnology, Space and Aeronautics, and Medicine. She is highly regarded for her effort in research on semiconductor Lasers -optoelectronic devices. She has also made contributions to the latest technologies aimed at manufacturing wide-bandgap semiconductor optoelectronic devices.

Dr. Arwa’s Childhood: The Shaping Up of a Future Scientist

She spent her childhood mostly in Jazan. She led a simple life in Jazan with a lot of care and love from her parents and her grandmother. She often walked to her elementary school which is in the neighborhood. Her life was greatly impacted by her grandmother who, as described by her, was a very patient and hard-working woman. She misses her days in Jazan as this was the time when she felt closest to nature with various activities. She visited Rivers, hot underground water, the beach, and the sea regularly and this helped her feel relaxed and rejuvenated from within. She lived for period in Madinah, as well as in Jeddah.

Picture 1. Photos of Arwa at age of 5 years old and 36 years old

The two surprising facts about Arwa unknown even to her colleagues are that she was born from two roots: one from the side of her grandmother who raised her and the other from her grandfather. Her grandmother is from the south of the Arabian Peninsula while her grandfather is from Western Arabia. Her exposure to two different roots during her growth years shaped her thought process in a positive way. This helped her be open to all cultures during her life in North America and other parts of the world.

Picture 2.a. Beauty, the heritage of Fifa, and Al Abadil mountains, the land of her grandmother, and Wadi Jazan  Lake.1

Let me give you insights into the struggles and challenges that she had to face and how she managed to conquer everything to become a renowned material scientist through her courageous endeavors.

Dr. Arwa’s Education

Arwa finalized her general education at KSA. She had her primary school education in Abu Arish for 6 years, and later, went to Al-Sadelia intermediate school for 3 years in the village of Al-Sadelia. Her high school education was in Abu Arish where she studied for three years. Her school education involved a frequent change of location, which itself posed a lot of challenges as she had to adjust to the change in the environment as well as new friends and teachers at school. But. She was definitely not the one to take a step back due to such trivial issues. She bounced back with harder and better efforts every time she had to change the school so that the downtime associated with adjusting to the new environment could be reduced. Also, at that time she looked at the map and told herself it is a preparation for bigger involvement in the wide world for a valuable contribution. In Picture 3 . Arwa made her vision comes to reality. It’s important to remember that the journey is just as important as the destination with goal-oriented value in pioneering the science field.
Picture 3. Map to show Arwa’s effort toward acquiring the research experience, and Arwa made her vision comes to reality.2

It is remarkable to know how a young girl in her school was so determined that she never let these life circumstances come in her way of achieving success. She, instead, looked at them as an opportunity to work hard and learn more. She continued her quest for knowledge and education as
she moved from one success to another even later in life.

And this is what makes Dr. Arwa so special!

Let’s have a glimpse at her research interests and educational achievement.

 

Research Interests of Dr. Arwa

  • Charged beam lithography: Electron Beam Lithography (EBL).
  • Nanofabrication.
  • GaN/InGaN LED and LD.
  • Ultrawide-bandgap semiconductor of carbon-based materials.
  • Development of the Next Generation semiconductor-based Lasers.

Educational Qualifications and Achievements of Dr. Arwa

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Materials, from the University of California.
  • Master of Applied Science in Mechanical (Nanofabrication) from the University of
    Waterloo, Canada.
  • Advanced English Language for Professionals.
  • Volunteer work at Jazan University Library.
  • Working Co-Operatory in the Department of Physics.
  • Bachelor of Science and Education in Physics.

Skills

LANGUAGES:

  • English-fluent
  • Russian-Intermediate to advanced Program- Certificates
    Learning the Russian language and achieving progress at (EDUCA Russian Language School,
    Saint Petersburg, Russia). EDUCA is a reputable institution that provides quality language
    instruction. Their certificates are a recognition of Arwa’s language progression towards
    proficiency and can be a valuable addition to her resume and academic portfolio.
  • Arabic-native

HIGH-LEVEL PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE:

  • Machine Learning Specialization & Applied Data Science Specialization- In progress
  • IBM Coursera: (C1) Python for Data Science, AI & Development – Certificate
  • IBM Coursera: (C2) Data Visualization with Python– Certificate
  • IOP Review Training: IOP Publishing Peer Review Excellence course.

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:

  • 2021 KAUST Saudi Leadership Program for Emerging Leaders; King Abdullah
    University of Science and Technology-University of Berkeley- Certificate.

Cleanroom & Epitaxial Growth research experience: around 10 years of cleanroom research experience in Nanostructure and Laser Device fabrication and characterization, and 5 years of Epitaxial Growth research experience. Dr. Arwa gained inspiration from her supervisor – Professor
Bo Cui – at the University of Waterloo, who is connected to scientists including Professor Stephen Chou and Professor Henry Smith.


Picture 4. Dr. Arwa Saud’s supervisor in Canada who is connected to great scientists.scientists.3,4

In the United States, she was supervised and trained by Professors Steven P. DenBaar and Shuji Nakamura (Nobel prize laureate in physics), and her committee member and Professor James Speck who was connected to well-known names in the field of science including Professor Enrico Fermi (Nobel prize laureate in physics) and Professor Mildred Dresselhaus (The Queen of Carbon)


Picture 5. Dr. Arwa Saud’s supervisors in the USA who is connected to great scientists.5–7

She gained a brilliant base of expertise and skills in Nanofabrication while working and studying under the supervision of Professors Yavuz and Cui. Here are some achievements of Dr. Arwa that make her stand out among her contemporaries:

  • Expert in the manufacturing of Green/Blue InGaN-based lasers.
  • Development and implementation of new procedures of fabrication technologies for SemiPolar GaN flip-chip edge-emitting lasers structures.
  • Trained in on metal organic vapor deposition growth of visible wavelength LDs (laser
    diodes) epitaxy at UCSB in Nakamura’s laboratory.
  • Participated/Assisted in the MOCVD maintenance.
  • Demonstrated the 1st generation of green semi-polar FC-LD novel fabrication technology
    development.
  • Technical Skills: Laser Devices Simulation such as FIMMWave Software, Fabrication,
    Material Growth of IIINitrides, Processing, and Characterization.

Dr. Arwa Saud Abbas is in the field of science and research. She has achieved a success as a material scientist and has contributed to the development of her field and is goal-oriented toward further contributions.

Picture 6. Taken in the USA at UCSB.8,9

However, she whom we know today didn’t have all the success coming to her easily. Her life has been through several ups and downs. She faced many obstacles on her journey to becoming a successful scientist. Struggling through the challenges had somehow become a norm for her.

Dr. Arwa Saud Abbas’ journey to success was not an easy one.  However, she never let these challenges defeat her spirit and continued to work hard towards achieving her goals. Despite these challenges, she never lost sight of her dreams and continued to pursue her passion for science and research. Through her hard work and perseverance, she has become a respected name in the field of material science and has made significant contributions. But her determination and perseverance to achieve her goals and her dedication in putting constant effort are what has helped her reach a stage in life where she is looked up to as an inspiration for many other women as well as men who wish to make a career or contribute to the field of science and research.

Picture 7. Taken in the USA at UCSB.

The reason I am sharing the life journey of Dr. Arwa Saud Abbas with you is primarily that the kind of work she has done and the unprecedented success she has achieved is something that no other girl in her community initiated or region has ever managed. She is the first to earn Ph.D. in her family. Being the first person in her family to earn a Ph.D. is a remarkable achievement, and it speaks volumes about her character and perseverance. Her story is an inspiration to all those who aspire to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.

Picture 8. Taken in the USA at UCSB: Arwa Saud Abbas meeting with His Excellency Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi
the former Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and the former President and CEO, Saudi
Aramco, His Royal Highness Prince Turki Bin Saud Mohammed Al Saud the former CEO of KACST, and His
Excellency Eng. Khalid al-Falih, Minister of Investment and former Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral
Resources, former president and Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Aramco.

Picture 9. Future of Semiconductor Forum 2023 at King Abdullah University of science and technology (KAUST) of May 16, 2023, details will be written in Arwa’s book about her Exceptional Life Story. 

Picture 10. Taken at KAUST-KSA shows the faces within a shape of triangular (Light trajectory): Dr. Arwa Saud Abbas, Material Scientist at Nobel Lecture: III-Nitride based UV-LED and laser diodes Nobel Laureate, Prof Shuji Nakamura, University of California Santa Barbara, and His Excellency Eng. Khalid al-Falih, Minister of Investment and former Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, former president, and Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Aramco.  

         

Picture 11. Taken at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) – Smart Materials and Devices Conference 2024, Shenzhen, China.

Picture 12. Taken at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton – 51st International Micro and Nano Engineering Conference 2025, Southampton, UK, and at the Registered Cleanroom Tour at the Southampton Nanofabrication Centre on 16 September 2025.

Arwa believes that meeting people connected to our prospective future paths can be a valuable experience, especially when there is a resonance conversation. We often think of our lives as a series of random events and accidents, but the truth is that our destiny is shaped by a trajectory
that we create for ourselves. Every decision we make, every action we take, and every thought we have has an impact on our future. This is why it’s important to be mindful of the choices we make and to be intentional about creating a path that leads us to our desired destination.

There is no accident in life, only the trajectory of our destiny.

The Role of Suzanne Z. Deutsch as an Inspiration for Dr. Arwa

Today, Dr. Arwa is definitely an inspiration to many young men and women around here who are struggling to find a sense of purpose in their life and feel demotivated by the challenges and unfavorable circumstances imposed on them. The journey of Dr. Arwa will surely inspire them to work harder and face the challenges in life with confidence.

But do you know who stood as a one source of inspiration for Dr. Arwa herself beside her Mentors and Professors? It was Suzanne Z. Deutsch, the wife of renowned MIT Professor of Physics MartinDeutsch.10 Dr. Arwa found her inspiration in Suzanne Z. Deutsch, who once, in a telephone
interview, said about her husband:
“There was nothing in life that he didn’t want to understand. That was the hallmark of his life: understanding and teaching.”

These words of Suzanne were deeply ingrained in the minds of her. She understood the real meaning of having a purpose in life when Susan mentioned that there was nothing in life that Martin Deutsch, an MIT physicist who discovered positronium didn’t want to understand. She realized that understanding and teaching should indeed be the hallmarks of her life if she wanted to make optimum contributions to her field of interest.
The words of Suzanne resonated with her thoughts as she herself always had this burning desire to always want to know everything. Arwa always preferred to make a map of linkingconnecting knowledge towards solving any problem, whether it was related to her education, her work in the field of material science, or her personal relations. Arwa has truly adopted the thought process of Suzanne. Her philosophy, coupled with her determination and perseverance, opened up new avenues and paved the way for her to achieve great success in the field of science.

Social Contributions of Dr. Arwa to the Society

The purpose of Dr. Arwa’s life was not limited to her educational achievements.

Over the years, she has realized based on her experience and interactions that the world is not so easy for women. Although in the past few decades, women have come far in breaking the glass ceiling, we all know that there is still a lot more to be achieved. She noticed that there are plenty of young girls and women across the world who are fighting for the high-quality education.

In her spare time, she enjoys creating new material and planning innovative ways to teach it. This ensures that her students are receiving the best possible education. Teaching is a passion of hers and she puts a lot of effort into making sure her students are successful in understanding the
discussed topics.

Giving gifts is one of her favorite things to do. Whether it’s a colleague’s birthday, a friend’s graduation, or simply just because, she loves to make friends, family, and colleague feel special with a thoughtful present. She takes care to pick out the perfect gift for each person. Seeing the joy on her loved ones’ faces when they receive their gifts is what brings her the most happiness.

This is why here in this article, she is sharing her story to the cause of women’s empowerment to help girls and women from different backgrounds so that they too can receive education and gain a sense of purpose in their life.

Future Outlook for Dr. Arwa

Dr. Arwa is determined to continue her impressive track record in engineering and science. As a Saudi woman, she also seeks to become a leader in her specialized and critical areas. She has dedicated her time to conducting intensive research with the aim to contribute to the development
of global. Armed with virtues such as Integrity, Loyalty, Quality, Value, and Respect, she is committed to serving society at a high level to confirm her profound knowledge, and her connections with pioneering scientists become marked.

Her dedication to becoming a leader in her specialized areas is commendable. Her focus on conducting intensive research is a crucial step towards contributing to the development of the global world. By delving deep into her field, she can identify gaps and opportunities for growth, which can lead to innovative solutions that benefit society. To become a leader in any field, it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. She can do this by attending conferences, workshops, and networking events. This will enable her to connect with other experts
in her field, exchange ideas, and learn about new developments. Another critical aspect of becoming a leader is to develop strong communication and leadership skills. She can do this by taking on leadership roles, such as mentoring students or leading research teams. By doing so, she can develop her leadership skills and inspire others to achieve their goals.

She is also the founder of the InvestImage – an in progress e-commerce company, which aims to provide creative image designs to support non/scientists in STEM fields and other fields. She is proof that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.

In conclusion, her dedication to becoming a leader in her specialized areas through intensive research and continuous learning is a commendable effort. With strong communication and leadership skills, she can pave the way for new developments and contribute to the development
of the global. Her hard work and dedication paid off when she was awarded the prestigious Scholarships and Distinction Awards and published several research papers in reputable scientific journals.

Her journey serves as a standalone example for all those looking for inspiration to achieve success and live a life with a fulfilling purpose.

Co-Written by:
Dr. Jyothi Shenoy & Dr. Arwa Saud Abbas

References:
1http://www.mekshat.com
2Materials.ucsb.edu. 2021. 2020 U.S. News Ranks Materials Program No. 1 Among Public
Institutions. [online] Available at: https://materials.ucsb.edu/news/2020–us–news–ranks–materials–
program–no–1–among–public–institutions.
3The term “nanoimprint lithography” was coined in the scientific literature in 1996, when
Prof. Stephen Chou and his students published a report in Science, Chou, S.Y.; Krauss, P.R.;
Renstrom, P.J. (1996). “Imprint Lithography with 25–Nanometer
Resolution”. Science. 272 (5258).
4D. L. Spears and H. I. Smith, “High resolution pattern replication using soft x–rays”, Electronic
Letters, 8, 102 (1972).
5https://ethw.org/Mildred_Dresselhaus.
6https://physicsworld.com/a/mildred–dresselhaus–a–giant–of–nanoscience/.
7https://alchetron.com/Mildred–Dresselhaus.
8http://www.arwasaudabbas.world/
9https://ssleec.ucsb.edu/people/arwa–saud–abbas
10https://news.mit.edu/2002/Deutsch
11https://physics.mit.edu/faculty/mildred–dresselhaus/