Born on 20 August 1971, in Jabalya Refugee Camp in northern Gaza, Sufyan Tayeh (Sufyān Tāyih) (سفيان عبد الرحمن عثمان تايه) rose from challenging circumstances to become one of the leading scientists in Palestine. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Garyounis University in Libya in 1993. Upon returning to Gaza, he joined the Islamic University as a teaching assistant, completing his master’s degree in 1998. He earned a PhD in theoretical physics from Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 2007.

Dr. Tayeh was a leading researcher in physics and applied mathematics. He was the winner of the Palestine Islamic Bank Award for Scientific Research for the years 2019 and 2020, recipient of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Young Arab Scientists, and the Islamic University Award for Scientific Research for the year 2021.

Tayeh’s research interests included optical waveguides, optical waveguide sensing, ellipsometry, dye-sensitized solar cells and Organic Light Emitting Devices (OLEDs). With over 285 scientific publications, Dr. Tayeh’s work spanned diverse fields, including optical sensing, nanotechnology, and renewable energy. He was appointed professor of the UNESCO Chair for Physical, Astrophysical, and Space Sciences in Palestine, and was recognized among the top 2% of researchers worldwide in a study by Elsevier and Stanford University. 

Despite his scholarly stature, what endeared Dr. Tayeh most to his students was his approachability and unwavering dedication. He often asked during lectures, “Who couldn’t register?” and quietly assisted students who could not afford tuition. He saw science as a collaborative pursuit and encouraged his students to support one another, fostering a spirit of shared learning even in the midst of adversity.

His former student, Maryam Abdullah Abu Taylakh, recalls how his kindness shaped her path:

“I couldn’t travel to pursue my master’s degree due to the difficult conditions at the Rafah crossing, and financial constraints also hindered my studies. When Dr. Tayeh learned about my situation, he personally reached out and encouraged me to prepare for my studies. He devised a financial plan that allowed me to pay the fees in instalments, enabling me to complete my master’s degree at the Islamic University of Gaza under his direct supervision.”

(Dr. Tayeh, right, at a presentation by physics department colleague Dr. Khitam al-Wasifi)

Colleagues and students describe him as a man of profound humility. When congratulated on others’ scientific achievements, he would respond, “The credit is from God,” never seeking personal recognition. His wife and daughters—also graduates in scientific fields—shared his commitment to education and academic excellence. His children; Osama, a doctor; Aseel, a dentist; Israa, a medical student; Abdul Rahman, a high school student; and Lana, a fifth grader, were part of a family devoted to knowledge and service.

Dr. Tayeh was appointed president of the Islamic University of Gaza in July 2023, and led the institution with transparency and compassion amid immense hardship. Even during the war, he published seven scientific papers, exemplifying his unyielding commitment to research and progress. 

On 2 December 2023, Professor Tayeh was killed alongside his wife and five children in an Israeli airstrike. His death marked not only the loss of a family but the silencing of a distinguished voice in Palestinian academia and science. He is remembered by his students and colleagues as a humble mentor, a rigorous scientist, and a compassionate leader. 

Photo credits: Al-Fanar Media