Joanna Nassar, a KAUST alumna (Ph.D. '17, M.S. '13) in electrical engineering, is now a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech in the Department of Medical Engineering. Nassar credits KAUST's facilities and research opportunities for helping her achieve her goals and grow academically. Her research focuses on developing affordable and accessible wearable and implantable electronics for preventive disease detection. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in training researchers who are contributing to advancements in healthcare technology.
KAUST alumna Mona AlSaydlani (M.S. '13) is a founding class member who researched water desalination techniques under Professor Ingo Pinnau. She now works as a lead engineer in business communications at the Dow Middle East Innovation Center (MEIC) located on the KAUST campus, focusing on media, stakeholder relations, sustainability, and R&D. AlSaydlani also designs roadmaps for Dow Business activities and supports the Women's Innovation Network (WIN) at Dow Saudi Arabia. Why it matters: This highlights the career paths and contributions of KAUST alumni in industry, particularly in linking academic research with industrial applications and supporting women in STEM.
KAUST alumna Bedour Al-Sabban, who received her master's ('12) and Ph.D. ('16) from KAUST, currently works as a senior researcher in the Chemical Catalysts Department at SABIC. She credits KAUST for preparing her for work in industry and providing access to diverse perspectives and international collaborations. In 2015, she won second place in the Leadership Excellence for Women Awards & Symposium during a conference in Bahrain. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in developing Saudi talent for key industrial positions and fostering leadership in STEM fields.
Noura Shehab, a KAUST environmental engineering Ph.D. graduate (2014), now works as a material science researcher at RPD Innovations. Her research focuses on microbial electrochemical technologies and sustainable solutions for water scarcity. Shehab led a KAUST team in the Hult Prize in 2013 and is the incoming KAUST Saudi Arabian alumni chapter president. Why it matters: The profile highlights KAUST's role in developing scientific talent and fostering innovation in sustainable technologies relevant to Saudi Arabia.
Mona Alsomali, who graduated from KAUST in 2016 with a Ph.D. in bioscience-microbial genomics, is now a senior microbiologist. She is currently employed at the Dow Middle East Innovation Center (MEIC)/KAUST. The center is located at KAUST. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in producing skilled graduates who contribute to scientific innovation in the region.