Penelope Shihab is a visionary leader, accomplished Biotech scientist, and entrepreneur dedicated to fostering innovation and economic development. As the Director and co-founder of the Wyoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, she spearheads the creation of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem within the state. With a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial landscape and a passion for innovation, Penelope Shihab empowers researchers and artists to transform their ideas into successful ventures with extensive experience in entrepreneurship, business development, and higher education administration,
Penelope Shihab’s professional journey includes remarkable achievements. As the CEO and founder of Jordan Company for Antibody Production (MonoJo Biotech), a leading biotech company in the Arab region, she has been recognised globally for her contributions. MonoJo Biotech has been selected by the World Economic Forum as one of the 100 Arab Startups shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution and one of the ten start-ups helping to change the Arab world.
With a Ph.D. in Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences from the University of Strathclyde in the UK, Penelope Shihab combines academic expertise with practical experience. She serves on the Advisory Board of the School of Computing at the University of Wyoming, and the Chemical Engineering Department at Jordan University of Science and Technology, providing crucial feedback on educational objectives and future curriculum development.
Penelope Shihab’s influence extends beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors. As a board member of “The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST),” a funding organization for research networks, she actively promotes collaboration among scientists and innovation advancements. She also founded the Applied Scientific Research Fund (ASRF), a not-for-profit organization in the middle east, and established Royale Therapeutics Ltd. in Cambridge / UK to facilitate access to cutting-edge technologies and innovations.
Recognized for her contributions, Penelope Shihab has received prestigious accolades, including being selected as a high-impact global entrepreneur by ENDEAVOR.ORG /NY and winning the EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, Jordan award. She has also been ranked among the World’s 100 Most Influential Arabs by Arabian Business and recognized by Forbes Middle East as one of the top 30 women behind Middle Eastern beauty brands.
In addition to her professional achievements, Penelope Shihab is actively involved in her community, participating as a public speaker at WEF, IEEE and WSF. She serves on various committees at the University of Wyoming and engages in initiatives to increase awareness of innovative biotech and scientific research in Jordan and the Arab world. Driven by her passion for innovation, science, technology entrepreneurship, and women empowerment, she uses social media and TEDx platforms to inspire women and young professionals worldwide to become leading entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Penelope Shihab is an influential figure shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in Wyoming and beyond with a wealth of expertise, a robust entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to driving economic development.
