KAUST alumnus Yu Li was named in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia List for his work developing algorithms to solve problems in biology and healthcare. Li, now an assistant professor at CUHK, was recognized for his computational tools to identify antibiotic-resistant genes. His research focuses on computational biology, human health, biomolecular structure prediction, and AI-driven drug discovery. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the impact of KAUST's programs in fostering AI talent in the region, particularly in the growing field of bioinformatics and healthcare.
Forbes Middle East's 30 Under 30 list for 2025 includes four KAUST students/alumni in Science and Technology, and two Saudi founders from KAUST's TAQADAM accelerator in Commerce and Finance. The KAUST honorees are Aljawharah Alsharif (wearable health tech), Arwa Alghuneim (blood cancer research), and Esraa Fakeih (femtech startup Gees). These individuals are recognized for leveraging their KAUST education and research to make real-world impacts, particularly in global health. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's role in developing Saudi talent and contributing to advancements in science, technology, and entrepreneurship within the region.
Mo Li, an assistant professor of bioscience, is featured in a faculty focus article by KAUST. The article appears on the university's Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division page. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's ongoing efforts to showcase faculty expertise and research areas within the university.
KAUST Ph.D. student Yuxiao Li received a Student Paper Award from the American Statistical Association (ASA) for his paper on efficient estimation of non-stationary spatial covariance functions. The award-winning paper is Li's first research paper at KAUST, completed as a member of the Environmental Statistics Group led by Professor Ying Sun. His research focuses on short-term space-time precipitation modeling, addressing the challenges of modeling rainfall zeros and amounts along with complex spatio-temporal dependencies. Why it matters: This award recognizes KAUST's contributions to advanced statistical methods for environmental modeling, highlighting the university's strength in addressing complex environmental challenges.
KAUST Assistant Professor Xiaohang Li has won the 2018 Harold M. Manasevit Young Investigator Award for his work in metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth of semiconductors. Li will receive the award at the 19th International Conference on Metalorganic Vapor Phase Epitaxy in Japan. The award recognizes Li's contributions to deep UV lasers, B-III-N alloys, III-oxides, and blue and green emitters. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's growing prominence in advanced semiconductor research and its potential impact on the optoelectronics industry.