Professor Omar Knio, Dean of the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE) Division at KAUST, has been named a 2026 SIAM Fellow. This prestigious recognition from the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics honors his leadership in uncertainty quantification and multiscale mathematics. His research areas include applications in combustion, energetic materials, geophysical fluid dynamics, high-performance computing, and data-enabled predictive science. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's global standing in applied mathematics and computational science, reinforcing its role as a hub for scientific talent and interdisciplinary research crucial for advanced technological development in Saudi Arabia.
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 Professor Peter Markowich has been named a 2022 Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (AMS). He is recognized for contributions to partial differential equations, particularly the mathematical and numerical analysis of dispersive equations. Markowich applies differential mathematics to disciplines such as physics, AI, biology and engineering, including research on leaf venation patterns. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's strength in applied mathematics and its faculty's contributions to both theoretical and interdisciplinary research.
KAUST Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, Dr. Peter Markowich, has been named a 2020 Fellow to the European Academy of Sciences. This recognizes his work in the mathematical and numerical analysis of partial differential equations. Markowich joined KAUST in 2011 and has contributed to over 270 projects worldwide. Why it matters: This honor brings recognition to KAUST's faculty and highlights the university's contribution to advanced mathematical research with applications across science and engineering.
KAUST Professor David Keyes was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his contributions to parallel computing and numerical analysis. He was formally recognized at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Keyes expressed feeling humbled and honored by the award, emphasizing the breadth of science and engineering that AAAS encompasses. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the caliber of research and researchers at KAUST, enhancing the university's reputation and fostering international collaborations in computational science.
KAUST Ph.D. student Chiheb Ben Hammouda won the best poster award at the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Conference on Financial Mathematics & Engineering (FM19) for his work on option pricing under the rough Bergomi model. The winning poster, titled "Hierarchical adaptive sparse grids and quasi-Monte Carlo for option pricing under the rough Bergomi model," details research carried out under the supervision of KAUST Professor Raul Tempone. The research group designed new efficient numerical methods for pricing derivatives under the rough Bergomi model by combining smoothing techniques. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's growing expertise in financial mathematics and its contribution to solving complex problems in the field using advanced numerical methods.
KAUST Professors William Roberts and Robert Dibble were inducted as Fellows of The Combustion Institute (CI) in February. Roberts was recognized for his work on laminar flames, turbulent combustion, and soot formation at elevated pressures. Dibble was inducted for exceptional contributions to developing and using laser diagnostics for combustion research. Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's contributions to combustion research and strengthens its position as a leading institution in the field, attracting top students and researchers.
KAUST's Stochastic Numerics Research Group is developing methods for pricing European options. Their approach, detailed in an upcoming Journal of Computational Finance article, focuses on systematically tuning parameters to achieve accuracy while minimizing computational effort. The goal is to enable automated computation of fair prices for options contracts, similar to how insurance companies determine premiums. Why it matters: This research advances computational finance in the region, potentially improving risk management and investment strategies.