KAUST congratulates the brilliant scientific minds behind its recognized research excellence, which advances national priorities as defined by the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA). The RDIA recently affirmed the value of this commitment by honoring seven faculty members whose groundbreaking work accelerates KAUST’s contributions to Saudi Vision 2030 and helps shape a sustainable and prosperous future. 

During the LEAP 2025 conference in Riyadh, February 9-12, the RDIA launched the Research Excellence Award in Future Economies, designed to advance research and innovation within the Kingdom’s national priorities. Five of the recipients were from KAUST. 

Similarly, in December 2024, during Sustainability Innovation Week at COP16, the Authority introduced the Sustainability Research Excellence Award. Two KAUST researchers were among the honorees recognized for their transformative achievements in sustainability-focused research and innovation. 

The efforts of the following seven faculty members stand at the forefront of scientific innovation, each playing a key role in advancing the Kingdom’s strategic priorities. 

Professor Bernard Ghanem 

Professor Bernard Ghanem, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science, is Chair of the KAUST Center of Excellence for Generative AI. He received the Research Excellence Award in Future Economies for his research work in AI, which has advanced the field of computer vision, creating applications that enhance human behavior analysis and enable deeper integration between machines and humans for the benefit of society. 

With research interests spanning computer vision, machine learning and their applications in science and engineering, Ghanem’s pioneering contributions have elevated the field of AI to new levels of perception and innovation.

Professor Carlos Duarte 

Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor Carlos Duarte, Marine Science, is Executive Director of the Coral Research and Development Accelerator Platform. An oceanography and marine sciences leader, he received the Research Excellence Award in Future Economies for his research advancing humanity’s understanding of marine life, particularly in tracking genome formations and their environmental impact. 

His innovative solutions aim to mitigate the impact of climate change on biodiversity. Duarte’s groundbreaking work has revealed the deep secrets of the ocean while paving the way for the protection of marine ecosystems in the face of environmental challenges. 

Professor Mohamed Slim Alouini 

Al-Khwarizmi Distinguished Professor Mohamed Slim Alouini, an expert in communications networks, received the Research Excellence Award in Future Economies for his research on innovative solutions to bridge digital divides, aiming to expand network access to remote and underserved communities.  

Through his impactful work, Alouini is helping the Kingdom address rural isolation, reducing the digital gap and ensuring equitable access to wireless and satellite communication technologies. 

Professor Osman Bakr 

Professor Osman Bakr, Material Science and Engineering, received the Research Excellence Award in Future Economies for his groundbreaking work in renewable energy. His pioneering contributions to the design and applications of hybrid organic-inorganic semiconductors have led to energy-efficient, low-cost solar cells and signal transduction devices. 

Bakr’s research focuses on the synthesis and property elucidation of hybrid materials and nanomaterials, aiming to advance technologies for solar energy capture and light sensing applications. 

Professor Tareq Al-Naffouri 

Professor Tareq Al-Naffouri, Electrical and Computer Engineering, was honored with the Research Excellence Award in Future Economies. His research has expanded the potential of wireless networks, from space to the deep sea, shaping the future of communications by overcoming current challenges and enabling a connected world where deep learning and Internet of Things technologies interact. 

With research interests in statistical inference and learning and their applications, Al-Naffouri is enriching human knowledge and supporting efforts to tackle present and future challenges. 

Professor Noreddine Ghaffour 

Professor Noreddine Ghaffour, Environmental Science and Engineering, received the Sustainability Research Excellence Award for his significant contributions to addressing global water challenges. Among the highest ranked scientists worldwide in chemical and environmental engineering, his work has led to the development of innovative technologies that integrate water desalination and treatment with renewable energy solutions. 

Ghaffour’s leadership continues to pave the way for sustainable water solutions, supporting the transition to a future that thrives on efficient energy use and renewable resources. 

Professor Mark Tester 

Professor Mark Tester, Plant Science, is Chair of the Center of Excellence for Sustainable Food Security. He received the Sustainability Research Excellence Award. His research has led to the development of practical solutions to food security challenges by enhancing crop resilience to harsh environments and using a range of technologies to improve plant productivity under challenging environmental conditions. 

A leading plant scientist, Tester’s efforts continue to advance sustainable agricultural practices across the Kingdom, improving food security in the face of environmental challenges.