Embarek Alwedi was born in Alzahra, Libya. After obtaining BS (2001) and MS (2006) degrees from Alfatah University in Tripoli, Embarek remained at his alma mater for a further two years working as a lecturer. He relocated to the US in 2008 to pursue further graduate work at Oregon State University. During his PhD studies, which were successfully concluded in 2014, Embarek investigated StReCH with lithiated oxiranes generated from sulfinylepoxides via sulfoxide-lithium exchange.

"Chain Extension of Boronic Esters with Lithiooxiranes Generated by Sulfoxide-Metal Exchange: Stereocontrolled Access to 2°/2°, 2°/3°, and 3°/3° Vicinal Diols and Related Compounds," Alwedi, E.; Zakharov, L. N.; Blakemore,* P. R. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2014, 6643-6648. [LINK][abstract][SI]