Science writer Dava Sobel spoke at KAUST in 2019 about the importance of longitude and precision timekeeping for navigation. She discussed the historical difficulties in determining longitude, contrasting it with the ease of finding latitude. Sobel highlighted the Longitude Act of 1714 and figures like John Harrison who addressed these challenges. Why it matters: This lecture exposed the KAUST community to the historical context of navigation and the crucial role of timekeeping, relevant to contemporary technologies like GPS.
KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) is scheduled from January 13-24, featuring the theme of "TIME." The festival includes 12 keynote lectures from international experts, including a Nobel laureate, and explores topics like biological clocks, sleep, aging, and the universe. The program also offers workshops, exhibitions, and virtual reality experiences. Why it matters: Such science festivals can boost STEM engagement and knowledge dissemination within Saudi Arabia and internationally, aligning with KAUST's mission to promote scientific advancement.
KAUST alumnus Dr. Muhammed Sameed works at CERN on the ALPHA project, studying antimatter. The project aims to understand why there is so little antimatter in the universe, given that physics equations predict equal amounts of matter and antimatter. Sameed's work involves creating, trapping, and studying antimatter particles in a controlled lab environment. Why it matters: This research advances our understanding of fundamental physics and the composition of the universe, with a KAUST alumnus playing a key role.
In 2019, the McLaren Group attended KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program to discuss their extreme performance research partnership. McLaren representatives highlighted the importance of the partnership, providing access to KAUST's researchers and facilities while offering real-world applications for technologies. McLaren emphasized the need for continuous improvement in high-speed R&D to maintain a competitive edge. Why it matters: This partnership highlights KAUST's role in providing advanced research capabilities to cutting-edge industries, fostering innovation and practical application of research in demanding environments.
Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte from the Salk Institute discussed aging and regenerative medicine at the KAUST 2019 Winter Enrichment Program. His team is combining gene editing and stem cell technologies to grow rat organs in mice and human cells in pig and cattle embryos. The Salk team is collaborating with KAUST to rejuvenate organs using noncoding RNAs and small metabolites. Why it matters: This research collaboration between KAUST and the Salk Institute explores innovative approaches to address age-related diseases and organ regeneration, with potential long-term impacts on healthcare in the region.