Ehsan Hoque from the University of Rochester gave a talk at MBZUAI discussing how to integrate AI into healthcare to improve access and equity. He emphasized that technology should align with values and infrastructure, advocating for AI solutions developed through collaboration between computer scientists and healthcare professionals. Hoque presented examples like using AI to quantify movement disorders and improve empathy skills. Why it matters: This highlights the importance of human-centered AI development in the GCC region, particularly in sensitive sectors like healthcare, and MBZUAI's role in fostering such discussions.
Professor Qiaoqiang Gan, a KAUST professor of material science and engineering, has been elected as a Fellow of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics. Gan, who joined KAUST in 2021, is an expert in light-matter interaction for nanosensing and green photonics and leads the Sustainable Photonics Energy Research (SuPER) Lab. His work focuses on developing advanced manufacturing methods to monitor biomedical conditions, conserve energy, and ensure environmental sustainability. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's growing prominence in photonics research and its commitment to addressing global challenges in energy, health, and sustainability through advanced materials and optical technologies.
KAUST alumnus Fahad Hossain (M.S. 2010, Ph.D. 2014) discusses his journey from KAUST to UC Berkeley, where he co-founded Serinus Labs Inc., a manufacturer of integrated silicon gas sensors. Serinus Labs develops gas-sensing solutions for air-quality monitoring, safety, and preventive healthcare. NASA became Serinus' first customer in 2018, contracting them to develop multi-gas sensors for the next generation of spacesuits. Why it matters: This highlights the impact of KAUST graduates in developing advanced sensor technologies and securing partnerships with leading organizations like NASA.
Hassan Sajjad from Dalhousie University presented research on exploring the latent space of AI models to assess their safety and trustworthiness. He discussed use cases where analyzing latent space helps understand the robustness-generalization tradeoff in adversarial training and evaluate language comprehension. Sajjad's work aims to build better AI models and increase trust in their capabilities by looking at model internals. Why it matters: Intrinsic evaluation of model internals will become important to improving AI safety and robustness.
KAUST alumnus Dr. Hesham Omran won the UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for achievements in STEM. Omran was recognized for his Analog Designer’s Toolbox (ADT) and his Mastering Microelectronics YouTube channel, which has over 1.2 million views. Omran aims to boost microelectronics innovation in the Arab world. Why it matters: The award highlights the impact of KAUST graduates on STEM fields in the region and recognizes contributions to education and innovation in microelectronics.
Jr-Hau He, an associate professor of electrical engineering at KAUST, has been elected as an SPIE Fellow. This recognizes his contributions to solar cells, photodetectors, and semiconductor optics research. He joined KAUST in 2014 and leads a research group focused on developing transparent and flexible electronics using nanomaterials. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's growing prominence in optics and photonics research and its ability to attract and support leading researchers in these fields.
KAUST Ph.D. student Mohammad Shaqura was a finalist for the Best Student Paper Award at the IEEE International Conference. The award is from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The conference and award recognize outstanding contributions from student researchers in electrical and electronics engineering. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the growing talent pool and research capabilities in engineering fields at KAUST.
Historian Mike Bruton spoke at KAUST about scientific disruptors from the House of Wisdom during the Islamic Golden Age. These scholars made contributions like introducing the concept of zero and debunking the Greek theory of sight. Ibn al-Haytham revolutionized knowledge of optics, demonstrating that light bounces off objects and enters our eyes. Why it matters: The lecture highlights the significant scientific advancements made during the Islamic Golden Age and their lasting impact on modern civilization.