KAUST Professor Takashi Gojobori has been elected as a Fellow of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB). ISCB is a scholarly society for computational biology and bioinformatics. Gojobori's research interests include comparative genomics and gene expression of neural cells, as well as the marine metagenomics of microorganisms. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's contributions to computational biology and bioinformatics and strengthens its position as a research hub in the region.
Dr. Takashi Gojobori, a KAUST professor and expert in molecular evolution, received an honorary doctoral degree from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Taiwan. The degree recognizes Gojobori's contributions to evolutionary genomics and molecular evolution. A KAUST delegation led by VP James A. Calvin attended the conferring ceremony. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's faculty quality and contributions to international research collaborations.
KAUST Professor Xin Gao, lead of the Structural and Functional Bioinformatics Group, advocates for interdisciplinarity in academic research, specifically merging AI and bioinformatics. Gao, formally trained in computer science with no formal biology training, integrated biological knowledge independently. At KAUST, he synchronized bioinformatics, machine learning, and AI, despite the challenges of dividing efforts between disciplines. Why it matters: Gao's success highlights the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches in AI research, particularly in bridging computational methods with specialized domains like biomedicine to drive innovation.
Michael Waterman, professor at USC, and Wei Wang, director at UCLA, gave keynote addresses at KAUST. Charlotte Hauser, KAUST professor of bioscience, also gave a keynote lecture. Peer Bork (EMBL) and Martin Noble spoke with Vladimir Bajic at the event. Why it matters: This indicates KAUST's ongoing engagement with international experts to advance research in computational biology.
KAUST's Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC) held a Research Conference on Big Data Analyses in Evolutionary Biology. The conference focused on the impact of large "omics" datasets on evolutionary biology, requiring big data approaches for analysis. Researchers discussed how computer science can contribute to biology and vice versa. Why it matters: Such interdisciplinary events at KAUST can foster innovation at the intersection of computational science and biology, advancing research in both fields.