Inspiring the next generation of scientists in Yemen

Fahd Ali Ahmed Alfatesh

Fahd Ali Ahmed Alfatesh, an independent physics researcher in Yemen, confronts the ongoing realities of conflict and poverty in his country not with despair, but with perseverance. Many Yemeni students lack access to a formal education due to widespread destruction of academic infrastructure, severe shortages of faculty, and a dearth of modern technology. Even without a formal roadmap to follow for his career, Alfatesh has remained upbeat.

Using books, online resources, and international collaborations, he independently studied astrophysics, space medicine, and biochemistry, mastering English and authoring 12 research papers related to space science.

"I understand the isolation of having no local academic mentors," Alfatesh says. "Most young researchers in Yemen do not lack intelligence or curiosity; they lack visibility, mentorship, and the belief that they belong in global science," he explains.

He remains determined to be the role model he didn’t have for the next generation of scientists in Yemen. By guiding students through open-access databases and sharing research frameworks, Alfatesh says he helps them to embrace the "possibility of physics.”

To further support students, Alfatesh draws on his background as an expert in space science, including the development of a model on planet habitability, as well as his experience as a presenter at scientific meetings. He served as a plenary speaker at the APS Northwest Section Meeting at the University of Calgary in 2025 where he addressed a framework for space colonization.

Additionally, his volunteer work extends to the United Nations Information Centre in Manama, Bahrain, where he contributes to awareness campaigns on sustainable development and climate change. Through this role, he bridges scientific knowledge with public engagement, demonstrating the societal value of physics.

Alfatesh says he is thrilled to be recognized by APS as a Global Spotlight Member and that it validates that Yemeni students, despite their challenging backgrounds, can aspire to physics careers.

“I am motivated by the conviction that physics is a universal language that must not be silenced by war, poverty, or borders,” he says. “The recognition I received from the American Physical Society — first as an invited plenary speaker, then as a Global Spotlight Member — was a global validation that independent research from a conflict zone can reach the highest levels of international science.”