Abhay Dokania, a Ph.D. student at KAUST, is researching the conversion of CO2 to useful chemicals under the supervision of Professor Jorge Gascon at the KAUST Catalysis Center. His work focuses on developing multi-functional heterogeneous catalysts. Dokania's background includes degrees from Birla Institute and TU Delft, as well as research experience in the Netherlands. Why it matters: This research contributes to sustainable chemical engineering and CO2 reduction, aligning with Saudi Arabia's broader environmental goals.
Ahmad Alabdulghani, a KAUST master's student in Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering, is studying fluid flow mechanisms in heterogeneous media under the supervision of Professor Hussein Hoteit. Alabdulghani is a member of the Advanced Reservoir Modeling and Simulation (ARMS) research group at ANPERC. He previously worked at Saudi Aramco's EXPEC Advanced Research Center and aims to pursue a doctorate at KAUST. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in developing Saudi talent for the energy sector and fostering collaboration between academia and industry.
Maryam Alsufyani, a KAUST Ph.D. student in the Solar Center under Professor Iain McCulloch, focuses her research on designing and preparing semiconductor organic polymers for solar cells and organic electrical devices. She received her master's degree in chemical science from KAUST in 2018 and her bachelor's in chemistry from Taibah University in Madinah in 2016. Alsufyani aims to complete post-doctoral research after her Ph.D. to educate and support future generations. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in fostering Saudi talent in renewable energy research, a key area for the Kingdom's future economic diversification.
Abdullah Hamdi, a Ph.D. student at KAUST, is researching AI, deep learning, and computer vision in the Image and Video Understanding Lab under Associate Professor Bernard Ghanem. His work focuses on developing reliable testing methods for deep learning tools, particularly for sensitive applications like self-driving vehicles. Hamdi aims to disseminate AI knowledge and contribute to the AI ecosystem in the region. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in fostering local AI talent and contributing to critical research areas like autonomous vehicles, aligning with Saudi Arabia's broader technology goals.
Fethi Khaled, a mechanical engineering Ph.D. student at KAUST's Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC), is researching fuel combustion with a focus on cleaner, safer, and more efficient energy sources. His work in the Chemical Kinetics and Laser Sensors Laboratory under Professor Aamir Farooq involves studying the science of combustion and different energy sources like fossil and solar energy. Khaled aims to contribute to inventing new combustion engine modes that are more efficient and produce less or zero pollutants. Why it matters: This research aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader goals of promoting sustainable energy solutions and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels, contributing to environmental sustainability and economic diversification.