Muscat – Omani innovator Sumaiya Said Sulaiman al Siyabiya was crowned winner of Stars of Science, Season 14, on Friday.

Arab innovators compete to develop tech solutions for their communities in the popular Qatari edutainment reality TV show.

Sumaiya took home US$300,000 in prize money for her environment-based project titled ‘Bio-analysis of microplastics from the perspective of biology and nanotechnology’.

Sumaiya beat 30,000 competitors from the MENA region with her innovative project and outstanding performance in the qualification rounds, which lasted three months.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, Sumaiya said, “I am proud of winning this title and the opportunity to apply this important scientific innovation in conservation of environment and human health.

“I thank every one from Oman, the GCC and Arab countries who voted for me.’

Following her success, Sumaiya is expecting support for commercial production of her device. “I hope to see local and international investment in my project, which will open new vistas for environmental protection. I urge the authorities concerned in Oman to support my project to achieve its goals. The sultanate and the world need this project because it will help get rid of plastics.”

Sumaiya’s remediation and marine microplastics disposal device can help serve as an invaluable tool to address the issue of marine plastics, which account for at least 85 per cent of the total marine waste, according to the UN Environment Programme report From Pollution to Solution.

Free of chemicals and environmentally friendly, the device is a floating sphere comprising of microbial mats and nanomaterials that dissolve microplastics it comes into contact with converting these into carbon dioxide and water.

The device floats among patches of plastic garbage in oceans, trapping and disposing of microplastics.

Congratulatory messages poured in from all quarters after she was declared the winner. Wishing her the best, H E Sayyid Badr al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, said, “We wish Sumaiya all success in continuing her scientific efforts in the service of her country and the world.”