Dalal Alezi wins inaugural Division Student Award
Dalal Alezi, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in the University's Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division, received the inaugural PSE Division Student Award featuring outstanding Ph.D. candidates. File photo.
Dalal Alezi, a Ph.D. student in the University’s
Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division, is the inaugural recipient of the PSE Division Student Award featuring outstanding
Ph.D. candidates. Alezi is supervised by
Mohamed Eddaoudi, associate director of the University’s
Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Research Center and professor of
chemical science.Alezi has recently published two lead author papers in the
Journal of the American Chemical Society, and she presented her research work at the
251st American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition in San Diego, California (U.S.) on March 13 to 17 this year.
"Dalal is an exemplary Ph.D. student who takes the
necessary time to comprehend her research projects and critically plan
the next set of experiments. She is a critical thinker who sets high
standards and she is firmly committed to excellence in research,” noted
Eddaoudi.
“As a result of her efforts, it is no surprise to me
that in 2015 she published two full papers as a lead author in one of
the top chemistry journals—the Journal of the American Chemical
Society," he added.
Alezi received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical science from
King Abdulaziz University
in Jeddah. After hearing about KAUST during the University’s
inauguration in 2009, it became Alezi’s dream to attend the University
as a Ph.D. student. She interviewed with Eddaoudi and, after applying
and writing a research plan, was accepted to KAUST.
“I have learned so much here at KAUST,” said Alezi. “In my opinion,
KAUST is not just about earning a Ph.D.—your experience here shapes your
character. I have gained so much insight into how to look at things—how
to address and then solve problems differently. I can see my progress
from when I first started here three years ago. I feel my time at KAUST
has made a huge difference to me.”