KAUST postdoctoral fellow Adrian Galilea is working at the Catalysis Center on sustainable production of chemicals from carbon dioxide. The research involves synthesizing a catalyst for the hydrogenation of CO2 to olefins and aromatics. The new material reportedly converts CO2 to these chemicals with high selectivity and productivity. Why it matters: Developing sustainable chemical production methods could reduce reliance on fossil fuels and address climate change.
Eva Aylagas Martinez, a postdoctoral fellow at KAUST's Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), studies changes in Red Sea communities using environmental DNA. She first visited KAUST during her Ph.D. as part of a collaboration with a European research project (DEVOTES). Her research is supervised by KAUST Professor Michael Berumen. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in attracting international research talent to study critical environmental issues in the Red Sea, contributing to marine conservation efforts.
KAUST alumnus Angel Garcia Esparza (M.S. '11, Ph.D. '16) is now a postdoctoral research fellow at Stanford University, where he was recently awarded beam time at SLAC's Linac Coherent Light Source. His experiment will study the ultra-fast processes occurring at the early stage of the water-splitting reaction for the production of solar hydrogen fuel, building on his interests in sustainable energy. Garcia Esparza credits the KAUST Discovery Scholarship as a turning point and fondly recalls the passionate seminars at KAUST. Why it matters: The success of a KAUST alumnus at a top global institution highlights the university's role in fostering research talent and contributing to advancements in sustainable energy solutions.
KAUST postdoctoral fellow Daffne López-Sandoval's marine science research was inspired by Jacques Cousteau's ocean exploration documentaries. She joined KAUST in October 2016 after working at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona, drawn by the university's potential and opportunities for collaboration. At KAUST, her research focuses on developing new tools to measure microalgae productivity in the Red Sea. Why it matters: This research contributes to understanding the role of marine microbes in the Red Sea ecosystem and their impact on global CO2 sequestration.
Antonio Adamo is an assistant professor of bioscience in the Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division at KAUST. He is highlighted in a KAUST faculty focus. Why it matters: Showcases KAUST's faculty expertise in bioscience.