KAUST alumna Aubrie O'Rourke (Ph.D. '15) received an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Award Fellowship with NASA to study bacteria aboard the International Space Station (ISS). O'Rourke will analyze samples of Burkholderia cepacia bacteria from the ISS potable water system. She will sequence genomes to understand pathogenicity and virulence, comparing them to terrestrial strains. Why it matters: Understanding how microorganisms evolve in space has implications for astronaut health during long-duration missions, and this award highlights KAUST's role in fostering pioneering research.
Three KAUST startups, iyris, Oaesis, and UnitX, were selected in the top 10 at the Startup Istanbul international competition out of 90,000 applicants. iyris secured third place with its technology, while Oaesis developed a laser-based energy-efficient lighting system for indoor farms. KAUST supports emerging companies from ideation to marketing and financial support. Why it matters: This showcases KAUST's role in fostering innovation and contributing to Saudi Arabia's knowledge-based economy by supporting promising startups on the global stage.
The provided content mentions KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) and its association with King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. It also includes a copyright notice. Why it matters: This is a routine update reflecting KAUST's branding and legal information.
Communications Physics journal has a focus collection on space quantum communications. The collection covers supporting technologies, new quantum protocols, inter-satellite QKD, constellations of satellites, and quantum inspired technologies and protocols for space based communication. Contributions are welcome from October 20, 2020 to April 30, 2021, and accepted papers are published on a rolling basis. Why it matters: Space-based quantum communication is a critical area for developing secure, global quantum networks, and this collection could highlight relevant research for the GCC region as it invests in advanced technologies.
KAUST highlights postdoctoral fellows Yi Jin Liew, Isabelle Schulz, Maren Ziegler and Neus Garcias Bonet outside the University Library. The article mentions King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (1924 – 2015). It encourages applications to KAUST's Discovery Postdoctoral program. Why it matters: This brief announcement signals KAUST's ongoing investment in attracting international research talent to Saudi Arabia.
KAUST led a session at the World Economic Forum's Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, focusing on sustainability science. President Tony Chan and faculty members Peiying Hong, Mohamed Eddaoudi, and Derya Baran presented KAUST's research in water reuse, carbon capture, and transparent solar cells. Derya Baran highlighted KAUST spinoff iyris, which aims to turn windows into solar power plants. Why it matters: This showcases KAUST's role as an innovative hub for global research and education, particularly in green technologies, and highlights the university's commitment to addressing environmental challenges.
Planetary scientist Carolyn Porco, who led the imaging science team for the Cassini mission to Saturn, was a keynote speaker at KAUST's 2018 Winter Enrichment Program. Porco aimed to recreate the Pale Blue Dot photograph of Earth taken by Voyager 1. On July 19, 2013, Cassini's cameras captured another Pale Blue Dot image of Earth when Saturn eclipsed the Sun. Why it matters: The event fostered contemplation on Earth's place in the universe among the KAUST community.
The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) and KAUST held a workshop on September 19, 2023, to evaluate the Kingdom's space program and plan future initiatives. The SSA aims to propel Saudi Arabia's space program into the top 10 globally, focusing on six research areas. The partnership seeks to leverage KAUST's expertise to achieve Saudi Arabia's RDI vision in space exploration and set a roadmap to be available by January 2024. Why it matters: This collaboration signifies Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing its space program and fostering local expertise in space-related research and development, aligning with the Kingdom's broader technology and innovation goals.