Success Stories
“SOS is an academy that shapes your life and future, and it impacts you forever. I am glad we are still connected to each other and to SOS as I love contributing to something that I know helps young people achieve more, and change their destiny” says Fouad Maksoud, first place winner of Stars of Science, SoS season 9
Project & Impact
Viewers enjoyed Fouad’s finalist appearance on Stars of Science Season 9. He won first place for his Nano-shielding Textile Machine that applies petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals to ordinary textiles, such as shirts, pants and socks. By harnessing nanotechnology, the machine has the unique ability to make clothing waterproof, breathable and protective, and integrate healing medicine within the very fibers of bandages.
Fouad won the Best Innovator Award across the Middle East and North Africa, Arab Youth pioneer at The World Government Summit, and Outstanding Research Award at the American University of Beirut. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering AIChE, Institution of Chemical Engineers IChemE and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
Since taking home the first prize, Fouad has been refining the technology to create novel solutions for the medical field. Despite his habitual penchant for jokes, Fouad is about as humble as it gets: “My mission is to develop something that eases a patient’s pain,” he says. “When it comes to improving health and wellbeing you can’t take a day off.”
The Aftermath of SoS
As a researcher at Harvard Medical School, Fouad is working on getting the FDA approval for “Nanoskin” and other research projects that focus on Nanotechnology and 3D Bioprinting with the Laboratory of Engineered Living Systems and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Last year, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted Fouad the patent for his electrospinning machine invention (US 11,186,925 B2) for producing nanofibrous membranes and coating textiles with drug delivery systems for wounds and third-degree burns, diabetes ulcers and muscle strains.
Fouad has been awarded the MIT Technology Review's innovators under 35, the Best Innovator Award across the Middle East and North Africa, the Outstanding Research Award from the American University of Beirut and the Arab Youth pioneer at The World Government Summit. He participated in many conferences, symposiums and TEDx. He lately spoke at MIT SciTech where he shared his journey in Stars of Science and beyond. He has been featured on Forbes magazine, Harvard Business Review, Le Commerce du Levant, EFE Brazil, Chegg, The Korea Bizwire and Wamda.
Aside of being a researcher, Fouad is a consultant working as a Biochemist and Petrochemical Engineer between the US and the Middle East. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE cabinet), the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).
Looking to support fellow innovators in the Middle East starting from his home country Lebanon, Fouad became an active champion of the worldwide Patent Cooperation Treaty. He passionately believes it will boost innovation throughout the country.
All this measurable success aside, Fouad believes the real accomplishment is his active role in inspiring a niche of youths who are striving to innovate but their hands are tied: “The science competition put me in a fortunate position, where I can use my platform to reach the minds of the region’s young innovators– and I truly believe that together we will be able to make the difference our region needs.”
Follow Fouad on social media @fouadmaksoud
Contact Fouad onmaksoudfouad@gmail.com
