French freediving champion Guillaume Néry spoke at KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) about pushing human limits underwater. Néry, who beat the world record three times, can dive to a depth of 125 meters while holding his breath for up to seven minutes and forty-two seconds. He recounted discovering his calling at age 15 and later becoming world champion in 2011. Why it matters: This talk highlights KAUST's commitment to showcasing diverse achievements and explorations of human potential, even outside traditional scientific fields.
Artists from Switzerland collaborated with researchers at KAUST's Red Sea Research Center to photograph autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS). ARMS are artificial towers that capture small critters colonizing coral reefs, developed to measure marine biodiversity. KAUST has deployed and retrieved over 180 ARMS units since 2013 to study cryptobenthic biodiversity, which represents up to 70% of a reef's biodiversity. Why it matters: This collaboration highlights the innovative approaches being used to study marine ecosystems in the Red Sea and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in advancing scientific understanding.
Dr. Luiz Rocha from the California Academy of Sciences discussed the impact of climate change on coral reefs during a keynote lecture at KAUST. He highlighted the phenomenon of coral bleaching due to rising water temperatures and its devastating effects on marine ecosystems. Rocha also spoke about exploring mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs), or the "twilight zone," at depths of 60-150 meters. Why it matters: Understanding the impact of climate change on coral reefs and exploring deeper marine ecosystems is crucial for preserving marine biodiversity in the face of global warming.
A glider deployed by KAUST's Coastal and Marine Resources Core Lab (CMOR) completed 1,000 dives in the Red Sea. The dives, completed by November 22, 2015, are part of ongoing marine research at KAUST. The glider is maintained by Lloyd Smith, supervisor of marine electronics at CMOR. Why it matters: This demonstrates KAUST's commitment to environmental monitoring and research in the Red Sea, contributing to a better understanding of the region's unique marine ecosystem.
Explorer Mike Horn gave a keynote lecture at KAUST's Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) about his pioneering expeditions. Horn recounted his solo journey around the Equator and his circumnavigation of the Arctic Circle. He also shared experiences from trekking to the North Pole during the Arctic winter. Why it matters: While not directly about AI, the talk highlights KAUST's broader mission to inspire innovation and exploration across diverse fields, which can indirectly foster a culture of creativity relevant to AI research.
KAUST Ph.D. student Saeed Amin is the first Saudi to complete KAUST's American Academy of Underwater Sciences-accredited Scientific Research Diver Certification course. The course, introduced in February 2020 by KAUST's Coastal and Marine Resources Core Lab, is the first of its kind conducted in Saudi Arabia. KAUST's CMR collaborates with the Saudi Water Sports & Diving Federation to advise on scientific diver regulations. Why it matters: This establishes local capacity for underwater marine research, contributing to Saudi Vision 2030's goals for a highly skilled workforce.
KAUST researchers and international collaborators tagged 15 Chilean devil rays in the Atlantic, revealing unexpected deep-diving behavior. The tags recorded dives reaching almost 2,000 meters at speeds of 6 meters per second and temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius. The rays exhibited two distinct diving patterns, including long periods at 1,000 meters and stepwise returns to the surface, possibly for thermoregulation. Why it matters: This research challenges previous assumptions about devil ray behavior and highlights KAUST's contribution to marine biology and understanding of ocean ecosystems.
Victor Vescovo and the Caladan Oceanic crew, in cooperation with KAUST, made multiple manned dives into the Red Sea. They reached the deepest point, the Suakin Trough, for the first time. The team also dove the Kebrit Deep, which is shallower but scientifically important. Why it matters: This exploration provides an opportunity to study and protect the unique resources of the Red Sea's deepest regions, furthering scientific understanding of these previously inaccessible environments.