KAUST has appointed Dr. Donal Bradley, currently the dean for science and engineering at the University of Oxford, as its new vice president for research. Bradley, a fellow of the Royal Society, has over 630 publications and a Google Scholar h-index of 125. He previously served as VP for research at Imperial College London and brings experience in technology development, including co-founding Cambridge Display Technology Ltd. Why it matters: This appointment signals KAUST's continued commitment to attracting top international talent to drive its research and development efforts in science and engineering.
Three Saudi Arabian undergraduates, all alumni of KAUST's Young Talent Development programs, have been awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. The Rhodes Trust selects only 100 international recipients annually. The students participated in programs such as the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) and the Saudi Research Science Institute (SRSI). Why it matters: This achievement highlights the impact of KAUST's educational initiatives in fostering Saudi talent and leadership in STEM fields.
Two of the three Saudi Arabian undergraduates selected as 2022 Rhodes Scholars are current or former participants in KAUST programs. Ahmed, a KGSP student, aims to research Red Sea super corals, while Mohammed Alghadeer, a KAUST summer intern, will study condensed matter physics at Oxford. The Rhodes Scholarship provides full funding for graduate studies at the University of Oxford. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in cultivating Saudi talent in STEM fields and fostering future leaders committed to global challenges.
KAUST master’s student Osama Dabbousi has been awarded the Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford in 2026. Dabbousi's research involves high-performance computing, specifically GPU-accelerated, large-scale acoustic simulation, and he is an alumnus of the KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP). He credits KAUST's computational science training, GPU resources, and mentorship from Professor Matteo Parsani for his success. Why it matters: Dabbousi's selection highlights KAUST's role in developing Saudi talent and contributing to the Kingdom's research ambitions in fields like high-performance computing.
Dr. Alison Noble from the University of Oxford presented her work on smart medical ultrasound technology at the KAUST Research Open Week, focusing on automated image analysis and deep learning. Her research aims to improve data collection, patient-doctor relations, and accessibility of healthcare. Portable ultrasound technology can increase accessibility for patients in remote areas. Why it matters: AI-enhanced ultrasound has the potential to significantly improve healthcare delivery and diagnostics in Saudi Arabia and the broader region, especially in underserved communities.
KAUST has appointed Dr. Donal Bradley as the new Vice President for Research, effective April 7, 2019, replacing Dr. Jean Frechet. Dr. Bradley was previously the Dean for Science and Engineering at Oxford University and has held positions at Imperial College London, with extensive experience in research administration. He is a distinguished scientist with over 630 publications and more than twenty-five patent families. Why it matters: This appointment signals KAUST's continued commitment to attracting top international talent to lead its research initiatives and maintain its position as a leading science and technology university in the region.
KAUST and Oxford Nanopore Technologies have signed an MoU to collaborate on multi-omics research, building on previous work such as the NanoRanger technique developed by KAUST's Mo Li. KAUST will gain early access to Oxford Nanopore’s sequencing technology, while Oxford Nanopore will access KAUST's Core Labs. Why it matters: This partnership enhances KAUST's research capabilities in areas like rare diseases and desert agriculture, and provides Oxford Nanopore with a launchpad to engage with Saudi Arabia's research community.
KAUST has become the first Middle Eastern university to join the University-Industry Demonstration Partnership (UIDP), an invite-only program including universities like Stanford, Yale, and Oxford. The UIDP focuses on identifying key issues impacting university-industry relations and fostering collaboration. KAUST aims to provide valuable insights to fellow UIDP members and translate its research to industry. Why it matters: This partnership enhances KAUST's role as a bridge between academia and industry in the region, fostering innovation and economic development in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.