KAUST Professor Wolfgang Heidrich received the Humboldt Research Award for his work in computational photography and displays. The award includes €60,000 and a research stay in Germany, hosted by the Max-Planck Institute for Informatics and the Cluster of Excellence on "Multimodal Computing and Interaction" at Saarland University. Heidrich plans to spend six months in Germany over the next three years, networking with faculty and collaborating on research projects. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's growing prominence in computer science and fosters international collaboration in cutting-edge areas like computational photography.
KAUST PhD students David Castro and David Conchouso won the 2014 Art in Science photography competition sponsored by NIST and Lab on a Chip. The winning photograph depicted work from KAUST's Electromechanical Microsystems & Polymer Integration Research Lab (EMPIRe), specifically real-time agglutination within a microdroplet. The photo will be featured on a future cover of the journal Lab on a Chip. Why it matters: This award highlights the visually compelling nature of microfluidics research and showcases the interdisciplinary work at KAUST.
KAUST's 'Faculty in Focus' series highlights professors working on challenges facing Saudi Arabia and the world. The article profiles faculty from various departments, including Electrical and Computer Engineering, Material Science, and Marine Science. Derya Baran is mentioned as an associate professor and chief engineer of KAUST-born startup Red Sea Farms. Why it matters: Showcases KAUST's multidisciplinary approach to research and its focus on addressing regional and global challenges.
KAUST held its second annual "Science as Art" competition, sponsored by the KAUST student chapter of the Materials Research Society (MRS). Over 25 KAUST students and postdoctoral fellows participated, showcasing artistic research images from their lab work. The competition aimed to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the general public by presenting science from an artistic point of view. Why it matters: Such initiatives at KAUST can foster interdisciplinary thinking and enhance public engagement with science and technology in Saudi Arabia.
KAUST faculty profile highlights Dr. Omar Abdelsaboor, Assistant Professor of Chemical Science, who specializes in ultrafast laser spectroscopy and 4D electron imaging. His research focuses on visualizing chemical reactions and developing highly-efficient solar cells using advanced techniques. Dr. Abdelsaboor aims to contribute to solar energy research in Saudi Arabia and is collaborating with other KAUST faculty. Why it matters: This underscores KAUST's investment in cutting-edge research and its commitment to advancing renewable energy technologies in the region.