KAUST Professor Wolfgang Heidrich received the Humboldt Research Award for his work in computational photography and displays. The award includes €60,000 and a research stay in Germany, hosted by the Max-Planck Institute for Informatics and the Cluster of Excellence on "Multimodal Computing and Interaction" at Saarland University. Heidrich plans to spend six months in Germany over the next three years, networking with faculty and collaborating on research projects. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's growing prominence in computer science and fosters international collaboration in cutting-edge areas like computational photography.
A photography exhibition titled "KAUST, an Oasis for Birds" showcased the 240 bird species residing on the KAUST campus during the 2017 Winter Enrichment Program. The exhibition featured the work of Marios Mantzourogiannis and Brian James, highlighting common and rare bird species in KAUST's habitats. Mantzouroglannis noted that KAUST's cultural and avian diversity surprised him. Why it matters: The exhibition increased awareness of the rich biodiversity within KAUST and promoted engagement with nature and birding.
A photography exhibition at KAUST's 2015 Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) showcased Al-Balad in Jeddah through the lenses of Andrea Bachofen-Echt and Marina Kochetyga. The photographers captured the unique architecture of Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during multiple visits over a month. Andrea noted Al-Balad's authenticity due to limited tourism, making it a unique subject. Why it matters: This highlights the importance of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia through art and photography.
KAUST PhD students David Castro and David Conchouso won the 2014 Art in Science photography competition sponsored by NIST and Lab on a Chip. The winning photograph depicted work from KAUST's Electromechanical Microsystems & Polymer Integration Research Lab (EMPIRe), specifically real-time agglutination within a microdroplet. The photo will be featured on a future cover of the journal Lab on a Chip. Why it matters: This award highlights the visually compelling nature of microfluidics research and showcases the interdisciplinary work at KAUST.
KAUST alumnus Morgan Bennett-Smith's underwater photograph of Professor Raquel Peixoto inoculating corals at the KAUST Coral Probiotics Village won Nature's "Scientist at Work" photo competition and was featured in the journal's December 7, 2022 issue. The photo, taken with a Canon R5 and RF 15-35mm lens inside of a Nauticam underwater housing, shows Peixoto applying probiotics to corals to boost their resilience. Peixoto praises Bennett-Smith's ability to capture the essence of their work and communicate the urgency of the coral crisis through his photographs. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's marine science research and the importance of visual storytelling in communicating scientific advancements and environmental challenges in the Red Sea.
KAUST research photographer Anastasia Khrenova designed a scientific art display for the 2018 Winter Enrichment Program (WEP). The "Visualizing the Human Machine Future" exhibition showcased photographs and scientific illustrations from KAUST laboratories. The exhibit aimed to communicate science nonverbally and provide viewers with a glimpse into the university's research activities. Why it matters: Such initiatives help promote scientific research to the public and attract potential researchers to KAUST, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of scientific endeavors in the region.
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.
American artist Rachel Sussman spoke at KAUST's 2019 Winter Enrichment Program about her project documenting the world's oldest living organisms. Sussman photographed 30 species alive for over 2,000 years, including trees, coral, and bacteria. She collaborated with 30 scientists to identify and document these organisms. Why it matters: The lecture highlights KAUST's interdisciplinary approach to knowledge, connecting art, science, and philosophy to explore concepts of time and longevity.