KAUST ·
Dr. William J. Koros, a chemical engineering chair at Georgia Tech, has been named the inaugural Champion of KAUST. He is also a Georgia Research Alliance eminent scholar in membranes. The announcement was made by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Why it matters: The appointment may signal future research directions or collaborations for KAUST in chemical engineering and membrane technology.
KAUST ·
KAUST alumnus William Bass (M.S. ’12, bioscience) worked for Saudi Aramco after graduating from the University. He worked in Aramco's Marine Protection Unit on infrastructure, research and biodiversity enhancement projects. In 2018, Bass left Aramco and is now running for U.S. Congress as an independent. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in developing talent that contributes to both Saudi Arabia's industries and global leadership.
KAUST ·
Researchers from KAUST trained members of the Moving Windmills non-profit on green energy infrastructure. The training program included hands-on experience for installing solar photovoltaic systems for use in Malawi, such as solar water pumps and rooftop solar on school buildings. Moving Windmills will use this knowledge to coordinate energy projects across Malawi. Why it matters: This initiative highlights KAUST's commitment to supporting sustainable development in Africa by sharing technical expertise and resources.
KAUST ·
William Tang from Princeton spoke at KAUST about using deep learning to achieve nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion, recreating stellar conditions on Earth, is considered the "holy grail" of power sources because it is clean and does not produce radioactive waste. Tokamaks, invented by Soviet physicists, are devices used to contain plasma, the superheated ionized gas required for fusion. Why it matters: KAUST is contributing to research on sustainable energy solutions, including exploring the potential of AI in nuclear fusion, a potentially transformative clean energy source.
KAUST ·
KAUST alumnus Eduardo Gorron (M.S. '12) was recruited to KAUST in 2010 as part of its second cohort of students. After graduating, he worked at SABIC on microalgae and brine from seawater, later teaching in Colombia. Currently, Gorron is completing a Ph.D. at the University of Queensland, focusing on synthetic biology to produce recombinant collagen for accelerating wound healing. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in fostering international scientific talent and contributing to advancements in biotechnology and healthcare.
KAUST ·
Michael Hickner, an Associate Professor from Penn State University, visited KAUST as part of the CRDF-KAUST-OSR Visiting Scholar Fellowship Program. Hickner specializes in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering. The visit was documented with photos by Meres J. Weche. Why it matters: Such programs foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange in science and engineering between KAUST and other leading institutions.
KAUST ·
Mani Sarathy, an associate professor of chemical engineering, has been appointed Associate Director of the Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC) at KAUST. Sarathy is part of the University’s Physical Science and Engineering Division. The announcement did not detail specific research directions. Why it matters: This signals KAUST's continued investment in and focus on clean combustion research.
KAUST ·
KAUST Professor Peter Markowich discusses the role of mathematics in football, describing a match as a random process with a drift. The randomness stems from player conditions, referee decisions, weather, and more, while the drift represents the higher probability of the better team winning. He notes that the complexity arising from 11 players on each side increases the randomness compared to sports like tennis. Why it matters: This perspective highlights the interplay of chance and skill in sports, offering a mathematical lens for understanding game dynamics.