KAUST postdoctoral fellow Daffne López-Sandoval's marine science research was inspired by Jacques Cousteau's ocean exploration documentaries. She joined KAUST in October 2016 after working at the Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona, drawn by the university's potential and opportunities for collaboration. At KAUST, her research focuses on developing new tools to measure microalgae productivity in the Red Sea. Why it matters: This research contributes to understanding the role of marine microbes in the Red Sea ecosystem and their impact on global CO2 sequestration.
MBZUAI researcher Karima Kadaoui is using AI to assist disadvantaged communities and languages, with a focus on democratizing NLP tasks for Arabic dialects. Her master's thesis focused on impaired speech recognition, converting disfluencies of individuals with speech disabilities into clear speech. She emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in AI to avoid bias and ensure systems reflect the user distribution. Why it matters: This highlights MBZUAI's commitment to gender equity in STEM and the development of AI solutions tailored to the nuances of the Arabic language.
KAUST master's student Parsifal Islas Morales received the Cinna Lomnitz Medal from the Mexican parliament. The award recognizes his science communication work in Mexico through the organization 'Pa'Ciencia la de Mexico'. Islas Morales' undergraduate thesis from UNAM was in collaboration with KAUST, focused on Red Sea bacteria. Why it matters: The award highlights KAUST's role in fostering international collaboration and supporting students who contribute to science communication in their home countries.
KAUST alumna Dr. Dalal Alezi has been awarded the Ibn Khaldun Fellowship for Saudi Women at MIT to pursue postdoctoral research in energy storage and water capture materials. She completed her Ph.D. at KAUST under Professor Mohamed Eddaoudi, focusing on metal-organic materials for gas separation, storage, catalysis, and drug delivery. Alezi credits KAUST and KAU for supporting her career and shaping her role as a mentor for incoming science students at KAU. Why it matters: The fellowship recognizes and supports talented Saudi women in STEM, promoting advancements in materials science and inspiring future generations of Saudi scientists.
KAUST welcomes five new faculty members for the new school year: Andrea Falqui, Daniele Daffonchio, Athanasios Tzavaras, Ying Sun, and Carlo Liberale. The new faculty members come from diverse backgrounds and bring expertise in areas such as bioscience, microbial ecology, and nanostructure imaging. They will contribute to KAUST's vision through research, teaching, and collaboration. Why it matters: The addition of new faculty enhances KAUST's research capabilities and educational offerings, fostering innovation and attracting top talent to the region.
KAUST Assistant Professor Dana Alsulaiman was named a L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talent. Alsulaiman was recognized for her work developing biomarker detection technologies for early and accurate disease detection. KAUST Ph.D. student Lila Aldakheel also received an award for her research on microplastics in mangrove forests. Why it matters: The recognition highlights the rising prominence and impact of female scientists at Saudi institutions in addressing key challenges like healthcare and environmental sustainability.
KAUST Ph.D. student Sofya Mudrova won the best poster award at the 4th International Congress on Invertebrate Morphology (ICIM4) in Moscow. The poster was in the biology domain. The award recognizes research presented at the conference. Why it matters: Showcases KAUST's strength in attracting and developing talent in interdisciplinary research areas.
KAUST alumna Yasmeen Najm, a graduate of the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP), is now a Strategic Partnerships and Engagement innovator at NEOM. She credits her interdisciplinary background and the opportunities provided by KGSP for her success. Najm was also a keynote speaker at the KGSP Pre-Departure Orientation, where she shared her experiences with 107 high-achieving Saudi STEM graduates. Why it matters: This highlights the impact of KAUST's KGSP in developing Saudi talent and contributing to the Kingdom's innovation goals, particularly in megaprojects like NEOM.