KAUST Ph.D. students Abdullah S. Almansouri and Hanan Mohammed won awards at the 21st International Conference on Magnetism (ICM 2018). Almansouri won the Best Poster Award for his work on magnetic tracking of cardiac catheters using flexible magnetic tunnel junction sensors. Mohammed won the People's Choice Award in the Magnetism as Art Showcase for her artwork entitled 'Autumn in my Nanoworld.' Why it matters: Recognition at ICM highlights KAUST's research contributions in magnetism and microsystems, particularly in developing innovative medical devices.
Four Saudi students mentored by KAUST Professor Kuo-Wei Huang won one silver and three bronze medals at the 50th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO 2018) in Prague. Bader Almulhim won a silver medal, while Abdulrahman Aledrees, Ali Alasmari and Osama Alali won bronze. Almulhim and Alasmari were accepted to the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) and will study in the U.S. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in nurturing scientific talent and promoting STEM education in Saudi Arabia, though the direct AI relevance is limited.
KAUST has appointed Dr. Tony Chan, former president of HKUST and KAUST board member, as its new president, effective September 1, 2018. Chan's background is in computational mathematics with interests including image processing, computer vision, physical circuit design and computational brain mapping. He has been a close partner of KAUST since 2007 and a member of the KAUST Board of Trustees since 2011. Why it matters: Chan's leadership is expected to contribute to KAUST's role in achieving Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objectives and addressing global challenges.
KAUST's Extreme Computing Research Center Director David Keyes will chair the technical program of the International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis (SC18) in Dallas. Approximately 420 professional volunteers and 160 student volunteers are engaged in the technical program. During SC17, KAUST’s supercomputer Shaheen II was recognized as the fastest in the Middle East, and it is expected to retain this title at SC18. Why it matters: KAUST's leadership role highlights the university's growing influence in global supercomputing and positions the Kingdom as a key player in HPC research and development.
KAUST Ph.D. student Matt Tietbohl attended the 11th International Conference on the Applications of Stable Isotope Techniques to Ecological Studies (IsoEcol) in Chile. Over 250 scientists from 34 countries participated in talks and workshops focused on stable isotope analysis in ecology. Researchers presented findings on diverse applications, from human nutrition to the origins of bodies at Stonehenge. Why it matters: Although not directly AI-related, KAUST's participation in international scientific conferences highlights its multidisciplinary research environment and global engagement.
Chess grandmaster Susan Polgar visited KAUST during the 2018 Winter Enrichment Program and played a simultaneous chess exhibition with 10 KAUST Chess Club members, winning against all of them. Polgar also delivered a lecture on how AI has transformed the chess world, referencing the 1997 IBM supercomputer victory over Garry Kasparov. She expressed being impressed by KAUST's facilities and the resources available to faculty and students. Why it matters: This event highlights KAUST's engagement with AI-related topics beyond traditional research, showcasing the university as a hub for diverse intellectual discussions.
KAUST President Tony F. Chan has been awarded the 2020 SIAM Prize for Distinguished Service to the Profession. The award recognizes Chan's contributions to applied and computational mathematics, imaging science, and scientific computing. Chan has served on advisory boards for KAIST, SUSTech, and the University of Vienna, and is a member of the NEOM Higher Council. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's leadership and influence in advancing mathematical sciences and its applications on a global stage.
KAUST Ph.D. student Hui-Chun Fu and postdoctoral fellow Purushothaman Varadhan won awards at the 2018 NANO Conference in Hong Kong for their photoelectrochemical research. They received the Materials Today Rising Star Poster Award (Silver) and the NANO2018 Session Theme Poster Award. Their research focuses on converting solar energy into storable fuels like hydrogen through solar-driven water splitting. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's contributions to renewable energy research, crucial for the GCC's transition to sustainable energy sources.