Egyptian physicist Ahmed Al-Gendy wins global Marie Curie Medal for nanotech cancer treatment

Egyptian physicist Ahmed al-Gendy, an associate professor of physics at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), has earned global scientific acclaim after receiving the 2026 Marie Curie Medal for his breakthrough work applying nanotechnology to cancer treatment.

Conferred by the Sweden-based International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM), the prestigious award honors groundbreaking research in advanced materials science.

Al-Gendy was chosen for his pioneering contribution to magnetic nanomaterials and their targeted application in oncology.

The UTEP’s College of Science formally announced the honor across its official platforms, celebrating the milestone.

A second major honor from the IAAM

The recognition marks al-Gendy’s second major distinction from the International Association of Advanced Materials in just two years, following his receipt of the IAAM Advanced Materials Award in 2024.

Securing back-to-back honors from the international body reflects the scientific community’s interest on his research into magnetic nanostructures.

Targeting solid tumors with magnetic nanoparticles

The award coincides with the publication of new research by al-Gendy’s team in the journal Acta Biomaterialia.

The study details the development of specialized magnetic nanoparticles engineered to directly target and destroy solid tumors when activated by an alternating magnetic field.