KAUST's VP for Research, Donal Bradley, discovered a new species of sea bream near Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, named *Acanthopagrus oconnorae* or Bev Bradley’s Bream. Bradley noticed unique features like a shallow forehead and black gill patch and collaborated with the Red Sea Research Center for genetic analysis. The discovery involved multiple researchers and even the KAUST Fishing Club to collect more specimens. Why it matters: This highlights the biodiversity research happening in the Red Sea and KAUST's role in advancing marine science in the region.
KAUST has appointed Dr. Donal Bradley as the new Vice President for Research, effective April 7, 2019, replacing Dr. Jean Frechet. Dr. Bradley was previously the Dean for Science and Engineering at Oxford University and has held positions at Imperial College London, with extensive experience in research administration. He is a distinguished scientist with over 630 publications and more than twenty-five patent families. Why it matters: This appointment signals KAUST's continued commitment to attracting top international talent to lead its research initiatives and maintain its position as a leading science and technology university in the region.
KAUST has appointed Dr. Donal Bradley, currently the dean for science and engineering at the University of Oxford, as its new vice president for research. Bradley, a fellow of the Royal Society, has over 630 publications and a Google Scholar h-index of 125. He previously served as VP for research at Imperial College London and brings experience in technology development, including co-founding Cambridge Display Technology Ltd. Why it matters: This appointment signals KAUST's continued commitment to attracting top international talent to drive its research and development efforts in science and engineering.
The KAUST Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) has hosted over 210 interns since 2014, offering research experience with faculty and facilities. Interns, typically in their baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate studies, stay between three and six months. Several interns, like Mariana Prazeres who researched the Hamilton Jacobi equation, have pursued further studies at KAUST. Why it matters: The VSRP program at KAUST serves as a pipeline for attracting international talent to Saudi Arabia and fostering interest in STEM fields.
KAUST and MEWA's Aquaculture Development Program (ADP) showcased achievements at the 6th International Saudi Aquaculture Development Workshop. New fish nutrition formulations developed by KAUST Beacon Development (KBD) could save Saudi Arabia $417 million per year in aquaculture production costs by 2030 through improved feed conversion ratios. KBD has also established complete production cycles for Sobaity and Gilthead seabream under Red Sea conditions. Why it matters: These advancements boost Saudi Arabia's food security and promote sustainable aquaculture, reducing reliance on imports and diversifying the economy in line with Vision 2030.