KAUST Professor Ingo Pinnau has been named a 2020 Fellow of the North American Membrane Society (NAMS). Pinnau's research focuses on high-performance membranes for energy-intensive gas and liquid separations. He has published over 170 peer-reviewed papers and holds 46 granted U.S. patents. Why it matters: Recognition of KAUST faculty in this area highlights the university's contribution to advanced materials research, which is crucial for energy and sustainability initiatives in Saudi Arabia and globally.
KAUST master's student Parsifal Islas Morales received the Cinna Lomnitz Medal from the Mexican parliament. The award recognizes his science communication work in Mexico through the organization 'Pa'Ciencia la de Mexico'. Islas Morales' undergraduate thesis from UNAM was in collaboration with KAUST, focused on Red Sea bacteria. Why it matters: The award highlights KAUST's role in fostering international collaboration and supporting students who contribute to science communication in their home countries.
The Mexican Embassy in Riyadh announced the creation of the first Saudi Arabian chapter of the Mexican Global Network (RedGlobalMX-Saudi Arabia). The chapter aims to recognize the contributions of the Mexican community in Saudi Arabia and foster collaboration between the two countries. KAUST alumni form a substantial part of the chapter's core membership, including those working at Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical. Why it matters: This initiative strengthens ties between Saudi Arabia and Mexico, potentially opening doors for further academic and industrial collaborations, especially in fields where KAUST has expertise.
KAUST alumna Jamaliah Aburabi’e's patent-pending membrane technology was highlighted in the North American Membrane Society's (NAMS) magazine. The patent (2017/0225127), developed with advisor Professor Klaus-Viktor Peinemann, describes a new method for preparing anisotropic/cross-linked membranes. The method reduces steps in membrane preparation, making it energy-efficient and allowing customization of the membrane's selective layer. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the impact of KAUST research in advanced materials and separation technologies, showcasing innovations with potential for energy efficiency and customization in industrial applications.
Professor Arnab Pain's group at KAUST discovered new insights on how a malaria protein enables parasites to spread malaria in human cells. Professor Haavard Rue's group upgraded the Integrated and Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) for faster real-time modeling of large datasets. A KAUST-led study examined the stability of Y-series nonfullerene acceptors for organic solar cells. Why it matters: KAUST continues producing impactful research across diverse fields from medicine to climate change, advancing scientific knowledge and potential applications.
KAUST startup UnitX, founded by KAUST alumni Kiran Narayanan and Professor Ravi Samtaney, offers on-demand supercomputing services via a cloud-like platform. UnitX aims to democratize access to supercomputing for industries like finance, government, and manufacturing, enabling data-driven decisions and faster product design. The global market for supercomputing as a service is estimated at $224 billion with 25% year-on-year growth. Why it matters: This initiative could significantly boost AI and simulation capabilities for regional enterprises by providing access to advanced computing resources without the prohibitive costs of owning and operating supercomputers.
Oscar Becerril Lio, a KAUST alumnus who graduated in 2011 with a master's degree in applied mathematics specializing in operations research, is now an operations manager in Mexico. He leverages his KAUST experience in industrial engineering, construction, operations research, optimization, and logistics. Lio advises current KAUST students to learn from the diverse community and take advantage of travel opportunities. Why it matters: This alumni profile showcases KAUST's role in developing professionals who contribute to diverse industries and geographies, highlighting the university's global impact.
KAUST Ph.D. student Amal Mohammed Alamri was a finalist in the July 2018 IEEE nanoArt Competition, part of the 18th IEEE International Conference on Nanotechnology in Cork, Ireland. Her work, displayed at University College Cork and Crawford/CIT Gallery, involved stacking n-type MoS2 single crystal with p-type perovskite CH3NH3PbBr3 single crystal. Alamri's IEEE Nano paper entitled "Photonic Single Crystal Heterostructures based on Perovskites/Molybdenum disulfide" was also presented at the conference. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's contribution to nanotechnology research and its students' participation in international scientific events.