Careem co-founder Magnus Olsson visited MBZUAI to share insights on AI, entrepreneurship, and purpose. He emphasized the importance of solving real-world problems and understanding customer needs before focusing on technology. Olsson also discussed Careem's 'three plus three buckets' approach, leveraging AI to enhance marketplace and payment experiences. Why it matters: The visit highlights the growing intersection of AI research and practical business applications in the region, fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among students.
KAUST professor Pierre Magistretti has been elected to the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. His election recognizes his contributions to neuroscience, specifically his work on lactate's role in brain function. Magistretti's research focuses on the lactate shuttle system and how neurons and glial cells cooperate to meet energy demands. Why it matters: This honor highlights KAUST's contribution to international neuroscience and can foster further collaboration in the field.
KAUST Professor Iain McCulloch has received the 2020 Blaise Pascal Medal for Materials Science from the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc). McCulloch directs KAUST's Solar Center and also holds a professorship at Imperial College London. His research focuses on semiconducting small molecules and polymers for organic electronic devices, leading to advancements in organic solar cells. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's contributions to materials science and its focus on advancing solar energy technologies in the region.
KAUST Associate Professor Aurelien Manchon has been appointed as the Wohlfarth Lecturer for the Magnetism 2020 conference. The conference, organized by IEEE UK Magnetic Chapter and the Institute of Physics, will be held in Sheffield, U.K. Manchon's research at KAUST focuses on spintronics and the development of high-speed, energy-efficient microelectronics. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's contributions to cutting-edge research in spintronics and magnetism, areas crucial for advancing microelectronics and data storage technologies.
Professor Mohammad Younis, a new Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at KAUST, focuses his research on micro and nanotechnology, specifically the interface between nonlinear dynamics and micro/nano electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS). He is developing a generic platform for sensing and actuation with potential uses in detecting poisonous gases, biohazards, and earthquake signals. He is also working on actuator systems that can assist elderly people after a fall by automatically calling for help. Why it matters: This research has significant implications for safety, environmental monitoring, and elderly care in the Middle East and beyond.
KAUST Professor Mohamed Eddaoudi has won the 2023 Kuwait Prize in chemistry for his work on functional solid-state materials, specifically metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). His research focuses on innovative design strategies for these materials and their applications in gas separations, catalysis, energy storage, and carbon capture. Eddaoudi, a founding faculty member at KAUST since 2009, shares the prize with Prof. Nashaat Nassar from the University of Calgary. Why it matters: The award recognizes KAUST's research excellence and highlights the importance of materials science for energy and environmental sustainability within the Arab world.
KAUST Professors Atif Shamim and Osman Bakr received the King Prize for Honoring Inventors and the Gifted from KACST. Shamim was awarded for his real-time microwave sensing system that determines the proportion of water mixed in oil, enhancing production efficiency. Bakr won for his work on hybrid perovskite materials for optoelectronics and solar cell applications. Why it matters: The King Prize recognizes impactful innovations developed within Saudi Arabia, encouraging further advancements in key technological areas and highlighting KAUST's role in addressing national challenges.