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Basem Shihada

Professor, Computer Science

Chair, Computer Science Program

Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division
Email icon basem.shihada@kaust.edu.sa
Website icon KAUST NetLab

My research philosophy is to bridge the gap between theory and practice in a working system. Having worked intensively in computer networking from both theoretical and system aspects, I have acquired both analytical modelling background and an acute sense of applying models to build practical systems. 

Program Affiliations

Center of Excellence

Biography

Basem Shihada is a leading expert in computer networking and distributed systems. He is a founding professor of the Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering Programs in the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE) Division at KAUST. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer science from the University of Waterloo, Canada. In 2009, he was appointed visiting faculty in the Department of Computer Science at Stanford University. In 2012, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Member of IEEE. His current research covers energy and resource allocation in wired and wireless networks, software-defined networking, cloud/fog computing, the Internet of Things, data networks, and underwater networks. 

Research Interests

Professor Shihada's research expertise lies in developing cutting-edge wireless systems, where he has made groundbreaking contributions across various domains, including intelligent wireless systems, wireless underwater systems, molecular communication systems and non-terrestrial systems. His notable achievements include: 

  • Aqua-Fi: The creation and successful demonstration of Aqua-Fi, the world's first underwater Wi-Fi, enabling high-speed internet connectivity in aquatic environments. 

  • Sun-Fi: The demonstration of Sun-Fi, the world's first passive internet via building glass. 
Keyword tag icon
Data Networks Network Systems Wireless Systems

Education Profile

  • University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada, PhD in Computer Science, 2007 

  • Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, Master in Computer Science, 2001 

  • United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE, Bachelor in Computer Science, 1997

Awards and Recognitions

  • Exemplary Editor at IEEE Communication Letters, 2023 and 2024. 

  • KAUST Insight, KAUST Discovery, archyde, euronews, yahoo, and new atlas article coverage for our Sun-Fi work, 2022. 

  • IEEE Spectrum, Dailymail, SciTech, TechCrunch article coverage. Also, France24, Saudi TV, and 
    Duabi TV live interviews for our Aqua-Fi work, 2020. 

  • eeDesignlt, telecoms.com, digitaltrends.com, techtarget.com article coverage for our 6G vision work, 2020. 

  •  Techxplore.com, news-medical.net, eurekalet.org articles for our communication via breath work, 2019. 

  • Photonics Media, Phys.org, and Innov Oil articles and Saudi TV interview for our underwater video communications work, 2018. 

  • Recipient of the Best Paper Award at IEEE WiMob, 2013. 

  • KAUST Excellence Annual Review Recognition, 2012. 

  • Recipient of the Best Paper Award at AFIN, 2011.  

Publications

Google Scholar

Research Areas

  • Computer Science
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering

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