Students awarded Gates Cambridge Scholarships

He was one of 40 outstanding applicants from U.S. colleges and universities chosen for the award, and one of two from Wake Forest.

Obaid, a physics major, began conducting research the first week of his freshman year after being inspired by one of professor Oana Jurchescu’s class lectures. Her research in organic electronics led to his pursuit of further study in physics inside and outside the classroom.

In addition to conducting research on campus, Obaid also completed research at Stanford University and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, where he studied organic solar cells.

At the University of Cambridge, Obaid plans to study the manufacturing of advanced materials that can be used to improve efficiencies of organic photovoltaics, the study of converting solar energy into electricity. After he completes his Ph.D., he wants to aid in the search for a clean renewable energy source.

“My liberal arts education at Wake Forest has given me a deep appreciation for the advancement of science, as well as a clear context for translating my research impact for social good,” Obaid said. “The one-on-one interactions I’ve had with my professors and advisers have not only enlightened me to the opportunities available but have kept me motivated with consistent feedback and reinforcement every step of the way.”

“Abdul is gifted in analytical power but has two additional qualities that will serve him well in his doctoral studies,” said Tom Phillips, director of Wake Forest Scholars. “He is enthused by scientific ideas and their applications: he sees both the fascinating, intricate detail and the broader social implications of research. He is also a generous, gregarious person who will be an outstanding ambassador for Wake Forest and for his native Saudi Arabia.”

Obaid is the first Saudi Arabian to earn a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Phillips said.

Additionally, Joseph McAbee, third-year medical student at Wake Forest School of Medicine, has also been chosen as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. McAbee was also selected to participate in the National Institutes of Health Oxford-Cambridge (NIH OxCam) Scholars Program. He is the first Wake Forest School of Medicine student to receive either of these prestigious scholarships. Read more about McAbee’s story by Wake Forest School of Medicine.