Prof. Youssef Habibi and Prof. Abou El Kacem Qaiss ranked first and third among Morocco’s top materials science scientists, placing University Mohammed VI Polytechnic at the forefront of national research visibility
UM6P materials science ranking results in the 5th edition of the Research.com Best Materials Science Scientists Ranking confirm the university’s position as Morocco’s leading research institution in this field. Prof. Youssef Habibi, Director of the Sustainable Materials Research Center (SusMat), placed first among all Moroccan researchers. Prof. Abou El Kacem Qaiss, Assistant Professor at the Materials Science and Nanoengineering Department (MSN), placed third. Together, they represent two of only four Moroccan scientists included in this global edition, reinforcing the visibility of research conducted within University Mohammed VI Polytechnic.
UM6P materials science ranking: first and third in Morocco
Two researchers from University Mohammed VI Polytechnic stand out in the 5th edition of the Research.com Best Materials Science Scientists Ranking. Prof. Youssef Habibi, Director of the Sustainable Materials Research Center (SusMat), secured the first position among all Moroccan scientists in the field. Prof. Abou El Kacem Qaiss, Assistant Professor at the Materials Science and Nanoengineering Department (MSN), placed third. Their recognition is grounded in rigorous bibliometric methodology. Research.com evaluates scientists through the D-index — a citation-based metric that measures long-term disciplinary impact — drawing on data from OpenAlex and CrossRef, updated in January 2026. As a result, the ranking reflects the most current and internationally validated assessment of scientific influence in materials science available today.
UM6P materials science ranking: methodology and significance
The D-index is a citation-based metric specifically designed to measure a researcher’s long-term influence within a scientific discipline. It accounts for the breadth and depth of a scholar’s published work and its reception by the international scientific community. Thus, a high D-index reflects not only the volume of published research, but also the sustained relevance of that research to peers worldwide.
Moreover, the fact that only four Moroccan scientists appear in this global edition makes the UM6P presence particularly significant. Two of those four positions are held by UM6P researchers. As a result, the university accounts for half of Morocco’s entire representation in one of the most cited international rankings in materials science. This concentration of recognized expertise within a single institution is a direct indicator of the quality and impact of research produced at University Mohammed VI Polytechnic.
UM6P materials science ranking: SusMat and MSN at the core of research excellence
The SusMat center, directed by Prof. Habibi, focuses on the development and characterization of sustainable materials derived from renewable resources. Its work spans cellulose nanomaterials, biopolymers, and advanced functional materials with applications in energy, health, and environmental sectors. Furthermore, the MSN department, where Prof. Qaiss holds his position, covers a wide spectrum of materials engineering disciplines — from nanocomposites to polymer science and advanced manufacturing. In addition, both units maintain active international collaborations, which directly contributes to the citation impact recognized by Research.com.
Research visibility as a strategic institutional asset
Rankings such as Research.com serve a dual purpose. They recognize individual scientific achievement, and they also signal the institutional environment that makes such achievement possible. Therefore, the placement of two UM6P researchers among Morocco’s top four in materials science is as much a reflection of the university’s research infrastructure as it is of the individuals themselves. University Mohammed VI Polytechnic has consistently invested in building research centers, attracting senior scientific talent, and creating the conditions for high-impact publication. As a result, this ranking is a measurable outcome of that strategy — and a confirmation that UM6P’s scientific output is gaining recognized international visibility.
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