NASA just honored a young female Saudi student by naming an asteroid after her, Okaz Newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The young student, Fatima bint Abdel Moneim Al Sheikh, was recognized for her research efforts in "determining the effect of the novel Carl 2 Strigolactone analog on the seed germination of parasitic weeds," Okaz wrote.

Speaking to the local newspaper, she expressed how thrilled she was at the news.



Al Sheikh, who plans to continue her education at the prestigious Brown University in the U.S. is an inspirational national and international award winner.



The 19-year-old student's project won an award at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) in 2016.

Held annually, Intel ISEF is considered the world’s largest international pre-college science competition. It brings together around 1,800 high school student competitors from all over the world.