KAUST ·
Dalal Alezi, a Ph.D. student in KAUST's Physical Science and Engineering Division, has received the inaugural PSE Division Student Award. Alezi is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate. The award recognizes outstanding Ph.D. candidates within the division. Why it matters: The award highlights KAUST's commitment to recognizing and supporting exceptional talent in science and engineering.
KAUST ·
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 ·
Three KAUST Ph.D. students, Dalal Alezi, Samah Mohamed, and Yevhen Fatieiev, have been selected to attend the 67th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Lindau, Germany. The meeting will bring together young scientists and Nobel laureates in chemistry for a week of activities. Alezi's research focuses on metal-organic materials, Mohamed develops chemical kinetic models for combustion, and Fatieiev works on magnetic nanoparticles. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's commitment to fostering scientific talent and providing opportunities for its students to engage with leading researchers in their fields, enhancing the university's global reputation.
TII ·
DERC's Aysha Al Neyadi won the Young Scientists Competition at the 14th International Conference Interaction of Radiation with Solids in Minsk, Belarus. Aysha co-authored a paper with researchers from Belarus State University and TII on the structure and phase composition stability of amorphous zirconium irradiated with helium ions. The paper examined amorphous alloy samples based on zirconium irradiated with Helium ions at 40 keV. Why it matters: This award recognizes contributions to materials science and highlights international research collaborations involving UAE institutions.
KAUST ·
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 ·
KAUST Associate Professor Taous-Meriem Laleg-Kirati leads the Estimation, Modeling and ANalysis (EMAN) research group, focusing on control theory, system modeling, and signal applications. Her group develops mathematical models and algorithms to control processes relying on real-time feedback, especially for systems where experimental data is limited. The EMAN group recently developed a real-time control algorithm for a solar membrane distillation system, increasing water production by over 50% in simulations. Why it matters: Laleg-Kirati's work advances both engineering and healthcare by combining model-based research with AI, offering opportunities for personalized medicine and efficient resource management in the region.
KAUST ·
KAUST Ph.D. student Adel Bibi is researching how to bridge the gap between theory and practice in deep learning, focusing on the mathematical understanding of deep learning models. Bibi is currently interning at Intel in Munich and previously worked on various computer vision problems. He aims to use optimization and mathematics to better understand deep learning models and build better models systematically from theory. Why it matters: This research contributes to the fundamental understanding of deep learning, potentially leading to more efficient and reliable AI systems developed in the region.
KAUST ·
Maram Al-Malki, a KAUST alumna (M.S. '17) in chemistry from the Clean Combustion Research Center, is now pursuing a Ph.D. at KAUST's Advanced Membranes & Porous Materials Center. Her Ph.D. focuses on developing energy consumption strategies for intelligent use of energy sources. Al-Malki advises current students to learn from mistakes and connect with diverse peers. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in fostering local talent and research in sustainable energy solutions, contributing to Saudi Arabia's vision for a diversified and sustainable economy.