KAUST's Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor Carlos Duarte has been awarded the prestigious Japan Prize for his pioneering research on blue carbon and marine ecosystems. Duarte's work demonstrated the significance of marine ecosystems like seagrasses, mangroves, and salt marshes in sequestering and storing carbon dioxide. He coined the term 'blue carbon' and has advised Vision2030 initiatives. Why it matters: This award recognizes the importance of KAUST's research in marine conservation and highlights Saudi Arabia's growing role in ocean-based climate change solutions.
Jean M. J. Fréchet, retired KAUST senior vice president, has been awarded the King Faisal Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering work in dendrimers, photoresists, and organic photovoltaics. His work has contributed to advancements in biotherapeutics, organic electronics, materials, and microfluidics. Fréchet is the 10th most cited chemist globally, with over 900 publications and 200 patents. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's impact on global scientific advancement and underscores the importance of investing in basic research with broad applications.
Dr. Mohamed Ferrag, a Lead Researcher at AIDRC, received the "Algeria Scopus Award" from Algeria's Ministry of Education and Higher Research for his contributions to computer science. Dr. Ferrag is an IEEE Senior Member and has authored many scientific papers and books. He was also ranked among the World's Top 2% Scientists from Stanford University in 2020-2022. Why it matters: This award recognizes and encourages scientific research and talent within the Algerian AI and computer science community.
MBZUAI's Prof. Mérouane Debbah will receive two awards at the 2022 IEEE ICC in Seoul. One paper analyzes reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) for 6G, highlighting spectral efficiency gains. The other paper explores energy-efficient distributed AI algorithms using quantized neural networks. Why it matters: This recognition highlights MBZUAI's contributions to cutting-edge research in wireless communications and sustainable AI, positioning the institute as a leader in these fields.
Prof. Mérouane Debbah, Chief Researcher at the AI Cross-Center Unit and DSRC, has been ranked No. 1 in France and 180th globally in Electronics and Electrical Engineering by Research.com. He has an H-index of 98 and over 47000 citations. Debbah was also recognized as a 2022 AI 2000 Most Influential Scholar in Internet of Things for contributions between 2012 and 2021. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the growing AI research talent within the GCC region, particularly in areas related to communication technologies and IoT.
Professor Marco Amabili, advisor at the Advanced Materials Research Center (AMRC), received the 'Cataldo Agostinelli and Angiola Gili Agostinelli' International Prize from the Lincei National Academy of Sciences of Italy. The award recognizes Prof. Amabili's research in mechanical vibrations, composite structures, and vascular biomechanics. He received the award in Rome from Nobel laureate Professor Giorgio Parisi. Why it matters: The recognition highlights the growing international visibility of UAE-based researchers and the increasing commitment of UAE institutions like TII to deep-tech research.
MIT Technology Review Arabia recognized two KAUST researchers in its annual Innovators Under 35 MENA Award. Yuxiang Liu developed Sun-Fi, an optical wireless communication network for smart cities that transmits data through window glass using modulated sunlight. Balsam Alkouz created a system for coordinating drone swarms to deliver supplies and deploy communications in disaster zones. Why it matters: The awards highlight KAUST's role in fostering innovative research aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and developing cutting-edge technology for smart cities and crisis response.
KAUST alumnae Dr. Fatimah Abdulhakim, Dr. Nadine Hosny El Said, and Dr. Rana Hussein Ali were honored in the 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards. Abdulhakim was recognized for her research on plant immune response, while El Said was honored for her work on epigenetic science and RNA-based therapies. Ali was named a 2025 German Laureate in the global L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards for her work at Goethe University Frankfurt. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's role in fostering female scientific talent and advancing research in areas crucial for regional food security and global healthcare.
KAUST Professor Yoshihide Wada has been awarded the 2025 Joanne Simpson Medal by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). The award recognizes Wada's pioneering research modeling the human impact on the global hydrological cycle. Wada joined KAUST in 2022 and has collaborated with Saudi stakeholders to develop scalable solutions for the Kingdom. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's growing prominence in environmental research and its commitment to addressing critical global challenges related to water resources and climate change.
KAUST faculty received multiple gold and silver medals at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions 2025. Professor Dana Alsulaiman won the IFIA Best Invention Award for "Bio-MXenes," a portable biosensor for detecting microRNA cancer biomarkers from liquid biopsies. Other awarded projects included super-resolution imaging of ferromagnetic tubulars and rapid Zika virus detection. Why it matters: The awards highlight KAUST's role as a hub for groundbreaking research, especially in medical diagnostics and AI-enhanced imaging.
KAUST professor Niveen Khashab was named the first Great Arab Mind in natural sciences. The Great Arab Minds award was conceived by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum to recognize Arabs for achievements in science, architecture, engineering, economics, literature, and medicine. Khashab, an organic chemist, was selected for contributions to nanomaterials development, synthesis, and application in medicine, industry, and agriculture. Why it matters: The award highlights KAUST's role in fostering scientific talent and contributing to advancements in nanotechnology and related fields within the Arab world.
KAUST Professor Raquel Peixoto has been awarded the inaugural Rachel Carson Prize for microbiology. The prize recognizes scientists using microbiology to preserve the global ecosystem, understand terrestrial life and ocean biodiversity, and provide solutions for sustainable marine resource use. Peixoto's research at KAUST focuses on microbiome restoration and rehabilitation through probiotics to protect corals threatened by climate change. Why it matters: This award highlights the importance of KAUST's research in marine science and its potential to provide innovative solutions for coral reef conservation in the Red Sea and beyond.
KAUST's Visual Computing Center had two papers recognized at IEEE VIS 2023. One paper, from Prof. Markus Hadwiger's group, introduced a new method for detecting and visualizing vortex structures in 2D fluid flows, which was recognized as one of the best papers. The second paper, from Prof. Ivan Viola's team, presented Dr. KID, a visualization framework for physicalizing biological structures into 3D-printed models, receiving an honorable mention. Why it matters: These awards highlight KAUST's contributions to cutting-edge visualization techniques with potential applications in diverse scientific and engineering fields.
Dr. Paula Moraga, an Assistant Professor at KAUST, has been awarded the 2023 Letten Prize for her work on disease surveillance systems. The prize recognizes researchers under 45 for contributions to health, development, environment, and equality. Moraga's research enables early epidemic detection, and she was selected from 164 applicants. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's contributions to public health research and underscores the importance of AI and data science in addressing global health challenges.
KAUST alumna Wedyan Babatain was named a 2022 MENA Innovator Under 35 by MIT Technology Review Arabia. Babatain was recognized for her research developing a soft multifunctional wearable platform using graphene and liquid metal-based electronics. She is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at MIT Media Lab, developing soft tangible interfaces and robotics platforms. Why it matters: This award highlights the increasing recognition of young Saudi researchers and KAUST's role in fostering innovative research in advanced materials and wearable technology.
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 research scientist Giuseppe Genduso has received the 2020 NAMS Young Membrane Scientist Award. Genduso's research at the KAUST Advanced Membranes & Porous Materials Center focuses on understanding polymer membrane behavior for fluid separation. His work explores the sorption and diffusion of gases in advanced polymer materials. Why it matters: This award recognizes Genduso's contributions to membrane technology, which holds promise for energy-efficient fluid separations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the chemical industry.
KAUST Ph.D. student Gaurav Agarwal won the best student paper award at the International Indian Statistical Association's 2019 Student Paper Competition for his work on the joint distribution of wind speed and direction. Agarwal's research involved developing a visualization tool for bivariate functional data, which can be used in climate and weather prediction models. He also received a scholarship based on his contributions using R. Why it matters: This award recognizes innovative work in environmental statistics at KAUST, highlighting the university's contributions to data science and statistical learning with applications to climate modeling.
KAUST Professor Carlos M. Duarte received a Frontiers of Knowledge Award for Ecology and Conservation Biology from Fundación BBVA in Spain. Duarte's research focuses on global marine science problems and his contributions to Saudi Vision 2030. The award recognizes his leadership and dedication to expanding knowledge of ocean flora, fauna, and their carbon sequestering capacities. Why it matters: Recognition of KAUST faculty highlights the university's growing prominence in environmental research and its alignment with Saudi Arabia's sustainability goals.
KAUST Professors Mohamed Eddaoudi and Omar Knio have received the Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers. Eddaoudi was recognized for his work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for clean energy and carbon capture, while Knio was honored for his contributions to mathematical modeling and simulation of thermo-fluid systems. The award, established in 1982, recognizes outstanding scientific output and aims to encourage a culture of scientific research in the Arab world. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the impactful research being conducted at KAUST and underscores the importance of Arab researchers' contributions to solving regional and global challenges.
KAUST Assistant Professor Raphaël Huser received the American Statistical Association's 2019 Section on Statistics and the Environment Early Investigator Award for his contributions to environmental statistics. Huser's research focuses on developing models for extreme events observed in space and time. He leads the KAUST extSTAT research group, which develops statistical models to understand the stochastic behavior of rare events. Why it matters: Recognition of KAUST faculty highlights the university's growing prominence in statistical research and its application to environmental challenges in the region.
KAUST Associate Professor Jr-Hau He has received the Nano Energy Award 2019 from the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He was selected for his work on light-matter interaction, specifically photon management for light-harvesting devices and optoelectronics of 2D materials. He joined KAUST in 2014 and is a distinguished lecturer of IEEE and a fellow of multiple societies. Why it matters: The award recognizes impactful research in energy-related disciplines and highlights KAUST's contributions to advancing knowledge in this field.
KAUST Ph.D. student Bogdan Dragos Ilies received two awards from the League of Romanian Students Abroad: a special mention in the category 'Romanian students abroad' and the Public Audience Award. Ilies came to KAUST as an intern, then a master's student, and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in atmospheric chemistry under Associate Professor Mani Sarathy, focusing on how aerosols influence climate change. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's role in attracting and fostering international research talent and contributing to environmental science.
Professor Jean M.J. Fréchet, former VP at KAUST, received the 2019 King Faisal Prize in Science for his contributions to chemical science. His work includes the convergent synthesis of dendrimers, chemically amplified photoresists, and organic photovoltaics. Fréchet expressed his confidence that KAUST will contribute to scientific excellence and economic development in the Kingdom. Why it matters: The award highlights KAUST's role in fostering scientific innovation and recognizes contributions with global impact from researchers based in the Kingdom.
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 postdoctoral fellow Carolina Euán received the Sylvia Esterby Presentation Award from the International Environmentrics Society (TIES) for her talk on a spatio-temporal model applied to drought data in Mexico. The research, conducted with KAUST Associate Professor Ying Sun, focuses on modeling dependence between processes observed in two categories, such as dry or rainy days. Euán joined KAUST in 2016 after completing her Ph.D. in statistics from the Research Center in Mathematics (CIMAT), Guanajuato, Mexico. Why it matters: This award recognizes the quality of environmental statistics research being conducted at KAUST and its applicability to understanding complex environmental phenomena in the region and beyond.
KAUST Professor Husam Alshareef received the Kuwait Prize in Clean and Sustainable Energy Technologies on December 5. The award recognizes Alshareef's contributions to energy storage materials, including sodium and zinc ion batteries and supercapacitors. Alshareef's research group focuses on developing layered electrode materials through various synthesis techniques. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's growing role in sustainable energy research and the impact of Arab scientists in advancing energy storage technologies.
KAUST master’s degree student Samuel Horváth won a best poster award at the Data Science Summer School (DS3) in Paris for his poster entitled "Nonconvex Variance Reduced Optimization with Arbitrary Sampling". The poster is based on a paper of the same name currently under review and is joint work between Horváth and his supervisor Professor Peter Richtárik from the KAUST Visual Computing Center. Horváth's research interests are at the interface of statistical learning and big data optimization, with a focus on randomized methods for non-convex problems. Why it matters: This award recognizes the quality of KAUST's research and its students' contributions to the field of data science and optimization.
KAUST Ph.D. students David Evangelista and Xianjin Yang won best paper awards at international conferences this summer for their work in mean-field game theory. Evangelista's paper focused on solutions for stationary mean-field games with congestion, while Yang's paper developed numerical methods for homogenization problems. The awards were presented at the 18th International Symposium on Dynamic Games and Applications in France and the 12th American Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Conference in Taiwan. Why it matters: The recognition highlights KAUST's strength in applied mathematics and computational science, specifically in the emerging field of mean-field games with applications across various domains.
KAUST Ph.D. student Mohamed Bahloul received a best paper award at the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC ‘18) for the Africa and Middle East region. Bahloul's paper presented a three-element fractional-order viscoelastic Windkessel model developed in the EMAN group at KAUST. The model incorporates a fractional-order capacitor, potentially enabling earlier prediction of cardiovascular diseases. Why it matters: The award recognizes impactful research in biomedical engineering at KAUST and highlights the potential for advanced modeling techniques to improve healthcare in the region.
KAUST Ph.D. students Abdullah S. Almansouri and Hanan Mohammed won awards at the 21st International Conference on Magnetism (ICM 2018). Almansouri won the Best Poster Award for his work on magnetic tracking of cardiac catheters using flexible magnetic tunnel junction sensors. Mohammed won the People's Choice Award in the Magnetism as Art Showcase for her artwork entitled 'Autumn in my Nanoworld.' Why it matters: Recognition at ICM highlights KAUST's research contributions in magnetism and microsystems, particularly in developing innovative medical devices.
Former KAUST President Professor Choon Fong Shih was presented with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) Centennial Medal by Harvard University in May. Shih received his Ph.D. in applied mathematics from Harvard in 1973 and was recognized for his contributions to knowledge and society. He served as the founding president of KAUST from 2008 and previously held positions at the National University of Singapore and GE Corporate Research Lab. Why it matters: The award recognizes the impact of a key figure in KAUST's early development and highlights the university's connection to globally recognized researchers and institutions.
KAUST Professor Carlos Duarte will receive the Blaise Pascal Medal from the European Academy of Sciences in October 2018 for his contributions to Earth and environmental sciences. Duarte is the Tarek Ahmed Juffali research chair in Red Sea ecology. He is involved in KAUST's Red Sea Research Center and supports Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives like The Red Sea Project and NEOM. Why it matters: The award recognizes KAUST's impact in environmental science and Duarte's role in aligning research with Saudi Arabia's development goals.
KAUST Ph.D. alumna Sabrina Vettori and Ph.D. student Yuxiao Li received a Distinguished Student Paper Award at the 2018 Eastern North American Region (ENAR) Spring Meeting of the International Biometric Society. Li's paper focused on efficient estimation for non-stationary spatial covariance functions, while Vettori's paper addressed Bayesian hierarchical modelling of air pollution extremes. Both students were recognized for their contributions to statistical environmental studies and air pollution modeling. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's commitment to fostering high-quality research and recognizes the achievements of its students in addressing critical environmental challenges.
KAUST Ph.D. student José Efraín Pérez won the Magnetism as Art Showcase People’s Choice Award at the 62nd Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM) 2017 for his artwork "Magnetic Nanobeacon." The artwork represents magnetic nanowires embedded in a nanoporous template. Pérez's research focuses on biomedical applications of nanostructures, using nanowires as a scaffold for stem cell differentiation. Why it matters: This award highlights the innovative research at KAUST in the area of magnetic nanostructures and their potential applications in biomedicine.
Yuan-Kai Liu, a master’s student from KAUST, received the Outstanding Student Poster and PICO Award at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2017 for his poster on caldera ring-fault development. Liu's poster presented results from analogue experiments, including deformation characteristics from time-resolved digital image correlation and 3-D spatial photogrammetry data. His research focuses on ground deformation analyses of subsiding calderas, combining analogue experiments with numerical modeling. Why it matters: This award recognizes KAUST's contribution to earth science and engineering and highlights the university's focus on innovative research in geophysics.
KAUST Assistant Professor Ying Sun won the 2017 Section on Statistics and the Environment Early Investigator Award. The award recognizes early-career researchers making significant contributions to environmental statistics. The award was given by the American Statistical Association. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's strength in interdisciplinary research and its faculty's recognition on the international stage.
KAUST Ph.D. student Sabrina Vettori won the 2017 Student Paper Competition sponsored by the Section on Statistics and the Environment of the American Statistical Association. Her winning paper was titled "Bayesian clustering and dimension reduction in multivariate air pollution extremes", co-authored by Huser and Genton. The competition focused on environmental statistics, with winners presenting at the Joint Statistical Meetings. Why it matters: This award recognizes KAUST's contribution to environmental statistics and highlights the university's ability to attract and nurture talent in this critical area.
KAUST professor Nikos Hadjichristidis received the 2016 Macro Group U.K. Medal for Continued Outstanding Achievement in Polymer Science. This marks his third major award, following recognition from Japan (2007) and the American Chemical Society (2015). Hadjichristidis is known for creating unique macromolecular architectures and establishing a world-class Polymer Synthesis Laboratory at KAUST. Why it matters: Recognition of KAUST faculty highlights the university's contribution to advanced materials science and its role in fostering scientific expertise within Saudi Arabia.
KAUST Professor Carlos M. Duarte was awarded the 2016 Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky Medal by the European Geosciences Union (EGU). The medal recognizes Duarte's outstanding contributions to biogeosciences as the Tarek Ahmed Juffali Research Chair in Red Sea Ecology. Duarte's research focuses on the impacts of global change in marine ecosystems. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's contribution to global research in marine science and environmental sustainability, enhancing its reputation as a leading institution in these fields.
KAUST Professor Hussain was awarded the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award (OYTEX) by the University of Texas (UT). Hussain studied at UT from 2003-2005 and later founded KAUST's Integrated Nanotechnology Laboratory in 2009. His work includes 15 patents, 18 research awards, and recognition from Intel and Samsung. Why it matters: The award recognizes the impact of KAUST faculty and their contributions to nanotechnology research, highlighting KAUST's growing prominence in the field.
In 2013, KAUST faculty members Jean Frechet and Yves Gnanou received international awards recognizing their scientific contributions. Nina Fedoroff was also awarded the 2013 Nevada Medal for achievements in science and engineering. KAUST research was featured in high-impact journals across diverse fields, and a KAUST Seed Fund winner launched an iPad housing device for underwater use that was featured by Apple. Why it matters: These achievements highlight KAUST's growing reputation as a hub for scientific research and innovation in the region and globally.
MBZUAI recognized seven faculty members for outstanding contributions in research, teaching, and mentorship at its annual Faculty Recognition and Welcome Reception. Associate Professor Salman Khan received the Distinguished Research Award for his work on multimodal models for remote Earth observation, including projects like AI4Weather and the AI Global Agriculture Advisory. Assistant Professor Alham Fikri Aji received the Early Career Researcher Award for his contributions to low-resource NLP and international collaborations. Why it matters: The awards highlight MBZUAI's focus on advancing AI for global challenges and recognizing faculty contributions to research and education.
Professor Ling Shao, Executive Vice President and Provost of MBZUAI, has been elected an IEEE Fellow. This honor recognizes his contributions to computer vision and representation learning. The IEEE Fellowship is a prestigious distinction given to select IEEE members. Why it matters: This recognition highlights the growing prominence of MBZUAI and its faculty in the international AI research community.
MBZUAI Professor Kun Zhang received a Test of Time Award Honorable Mention at ICML 2022 for his 2012 paper “On causal and anticausal learning." The paper, co-authored with researchers from the Max-Planck Institute, is considered foundational for causal learning in machine learning. Zhang's work demonstrated the importance of causality for machine learning tasks, helping to shift views in the field. Why it matters: This award highlights the growing recognition of causal AI research and MBZUAI's role in advancing the field.
KAUST Discovery Ph.D. student Chun-Ho Lin received the best paper award at the 2nd International Symposium on Devices and Application of Two-dimensional Materials in June 2016. The award recognizes Lin's contributions to the field of two-dimensional materials. Why it matters: Recognition of KAUST student research highlights the university's contributions to advanced materials science.