Moroccan neuroscientist Abdeslem El Idrissi, a professor at the City University of New York (CUNY), has been included in the 2026 Stanford–Elsevier database of the world’s most-cited scientists, marking his third appearance on its annual scientific-impact list.
The ninth edition, released October 7, uses the Scopus research database to identify scientists with high citation impact, considering citations, authorship positions and other indicators. El Idrissi, originally from Taounate province, previously appeared in the 2020 and 2024 editions.
Speaking to Hespress, El Idrissi said the recognition strengthened his commitment to research on neurodevelopmental disorders and reflected the contributions of Moroccan scientists working internationally.
A professor at CUNY’s College of Staten Island, where he has led a developmental neurobiology laboratory since 2003, El Idrissi studies autism, fragile X syndrome and other neurological conditions. His academic work includes more than 70 publications and contributions to books published by Springer.
His research also extends to Morocco, where he has collaborated with the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Persons with Disabilities and technology company BlinkLab on smartphone-based autism screening.
The technology measures children’s involuntary startle responses to identify possible developmental differences. According to El Idrissi, trials involving 1,200 Moroccan children aged three to seven achieved 87% accuracy, although the tool is intended to support early screening rather than replace clinical diagnosis.
“Many parents in Morocco do not have access to autism centers or specialists,” he told Hespress, describing the application as a starting point for families seeking assessment.
El Idrissi also coordinates medical exchanges between CUNY and Moroccan university hospitals, arranging clinical placements for students in Tangier, Fez, Marrakech and Agadir.
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