KAUST Rising Stars in Robotics Jan 12, 08:00 - 17:00 KAUST robotics autonomous control The Rising Stars in Robotics Symposium will convene emerging researchers working across robotics to exchange research, build connections across disciplines and explore new directions in robotics research and applications.
Practical Applications for Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) in 5G/6G Networks Ahmed Bader, Research Scientist, Electrical and Computer Engineering Nov 22, 00:00 - 01:00 B9 R2325 integrated sensing 6G 5G Advanced Sensing communications
Toward Monolithic Power Integration: β-Ga2O3 Devices and Circuits Ganesh Mainali , Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Nov 18, 16:15 - 17:30 B3 R5209 Ultrawide bandgap materials fabrication design This dissertation develops beta-phase gallium oxide devices and circuits for monolithic power integration.
Robust and Efficient Methods for Nonlinear Electromagnetic Inversion: Regularization, Optimization, and Learning-Assisted Strategies Lingqi Gao, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Nov 18, 10:00 - 12:00 B3 R5209 electromagnetic inversion optimization nonlinear electromagnetic inversion This dissertation develops several physics-based and learning-assisted methods to improve the robustness, capability, and computational efficiency of nonlinear EM inversion.
The Grid Impact of AI Data Centers: When Markets and Adversaries Shape Workloads Zaint A. Alexakis, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering Nov 15, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 energy stability data centers AI workloads power systems stability This talk explores how markets and adversaries can shape AI data center workloads, and what that means for grid stability, using market and grid simulations, hardware experiments, and real-time validation.
Networked Signal Processing for Large-Scale Satellite Navigation Xuexian Zheng, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Nov 9, 10:00 - 12:00 B2 R5220 Navigation LEO Satellite-based Communication Networks LEO Satellites GNSS localization PPP-RTK precise point positioning This dissertation develops a networked signal processing framework for large-scale satellite navigation, in which receivers or satellites act as graph-connected agents that process local observations and exchange compact messages with neighboring nodes.
Key Devices and Applications of Visible Light Communication for 6G Zengyi Xu, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering Nov 8, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 GaN GaN-based LED MIMO vlc Visible light communications communication systems This talk will explores a joint theoretical modeling method for GaN‑based light‑emitting diodes, develops high‑speed integrated LED transmitter chips, implements high‑performance GaN‑based short‑wavelength photodetector receivers for multi‑access MIMO VLC networks, and pioneers a perovskite superlattice fluorescent‑antenna‑based wide‑field‑of‑view receiver to break the rate‑field‑of‑view‑effective‑area trade‑off limitation of VLC receivers.
DLS-Based Sunlight Communication: From Theory to Prototype Yuxiang Liu, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Nov 1, 13:00 - 14:30 B1 R4214 optical wireless communication systems MIMO SISO energy efficiency hardware design This thesis presents the Sun-Fi system, an indoor OWC architecture that modulates natural sunlight through a DLS array integrated into building window glass, delivering communication, illumination, and positioning services with ultra-low transmit-side energy consumption.
On the Difficulties of Assessing Statistical Privacy Christian P. Robert, Full Professor, Department of Applied Mathematics (CEREMADE), Paris Dauphine-PSL University; Nov 1, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 Bayesian Statistics statistical privacy privacy bayesian adversial privacy This distinguished lecture examines the limitations of statistical disclosure control and differential privacy and explores robust, deliberately insufficient statistics combined with Bayesian inference as an alternative approach to protecting individuals in shared data.
Low-Dimensional Copper Halide Scintillators for X-Ray Imaging and Dosimetry Murilo Calil Faleiros, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Oct 29, 15:00 - 16:00 B4/5 A0215 material fabrication scintillators halides microdoping X-ray Imaging This thesis investigates the material, fabrication, and system-level barriers limiting the deployment of low-dimensional copper halide scintillators for X-ray detection to achieve high-performance, low-cost, and application-ready imaging, dosimetry, timing, and quality-assurance technologies.
Saudi HPC/AI Conference 2026 Oct 26, 08:00 - Oct 28, 17:00 KAUST HPC AI big data Data Analytics machine learning artificial intelligence Join researchers, technology experts and industry leaders to explore how HPC and AI are advancing research and innovation.
Safety Embedded Autonomy: From Barrier States to Intelligent and Differentiable Control Hassan A. Almubarak, Assistant Professor, Department of Control and Instrumentation Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Oct 25, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 autonomous systems Advanced control systems engineering safe autonomy reliability barrier states adaptive control control systems engineering This talk presents a safety-embedded approach to autonomy that builds safety directly into the control dynamics through Barrier States, then extends it with adaptive and differentiable control so that autonomous systems can stay safe, adapt to changing dynamics, and improve through physical interaction.
KAUST Workshop on AI-Enabled Microwave Sensing and Communication Oct 18, 08:30 - 18:45 B9 L2 R2325 microwave sensing coding techniques for Terahertz Integrated Sensing and Communications AI wearable and flexible antennas computational electromagnetics Exploring research developments and challenges across AI-enabled microwave engineering, millimeter-wave imaging, and wearable RF sensing for healthcare and communications applications.
Transformers from Compressed Representations Juan Carlos L. Alcazar, Research Scientist, Electrical and Computer Engineering Oct 11, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 transformers representation learning TEMPEST visual computing AI machine learning This talk explores how transformers can effectively be trained on compressed byte streams in order to gain computational and memory efficiencies.
Integrated Learning and Optimization and Computationally Efficient Model Predictive Control for Power Systems Applications Imran Pervez, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Oct 4, 17:00 - 19:00 B4 R5209; Zoom Meeting 96126193341 MCP power systems integrated machine learning optimization Advanced control systems engineering This dissertation studies novel model predictive control and integrated learning-optimization methodologies that enable computationally efficient, robust, and scalable real-time control and decision-making in modern power systems, improving renewable microgrid operation, electricity market performance, and optimization under uncertainty.
Integrated Silicon Photonics with Quantum Dot On-Chip Lasers: Enabling Scalable and Energy-Efficient Photonic Systems Yating Wan, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Oct 4, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 quantum dot lasers Silicon photonics photonic systems energy efficiency This talk presents integrated silicon photonics with quantum dot on-chip lasers that enable development of scalable and energy-efficient photonic systems.
From Circuits to Startups The Unexpected Journy of an Engineer Talal Al Attar, Instructional Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Sep 27, 00:00 - 01:00 B9 R2325 Professional Development engineering electronic circuits Simulations Technology Transfer innovation This talk presents a real-world story of an engineer’s unexpected journey from designing circuits to building technology startups—sharing the challenges, turning points, successes, failures, and lessons learned far beyond the classroom.
Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductors for Future of Moore's Law Xiaohang Li, Program Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering Sep 20, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 advanced semiconductors ultra-wide bandgap Ultrawide bandgap materials This talk will explore why the ultrawide bandgap semiconductor is called the 4th generation semiconductor?
NVIDIA Days at KAUST Sep 15, 20:45 - Sep 17, 17:00 B2/3 A0215 HPC NVIDIA agentic AI systems Physical AI digital twins robotics weather GPU quantum computing Join us (registration required) for the KAUST Supercomputing Lab (KSL) NVIDIA Days from September 15 to 17, 2026, a three-day program supporting the community's ongoing work in AI and High Performance Computing (HPC) through expert-led sessions, personalized clinics, and hands-on training.
From Mirror to Companion: AI and the Next Era of Digital Twins Abdulmotaleb El Saddik, Distinguished Professor, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Ottawa Sep 13, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 AI digital twins immersive technologies Smart Cities LLM Multi-Modal Large Language Models In this talk, I will share how AI is changing digital twins from tools into transformative forces that shape our future.
The Event Horizon Telescope: From the First Images to the First Movies of Black Holes Laurent Loinard, Professor of Astronomy, Institute for Radio Astronomy and Astrophysics (IRyA), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Sep 7, 16:00 - 17:00 B20 Auditorium Astrophysics Visualization High Performance Computing algorithms telescope statistical inference computational analysis galaxy black holes astrometry This lecture explores the Event Horizon Telescope's groundbreaking achievements in imaging supermassive black holes, details the complex global and computational infrastructure enabling these discoveries, and outlines the future transition from static images to dynamic, real-time movies of the universe's most extreme environments.
Integrated Silicon Photonics with Quantum Dot On-Chip Lasers: Enabling Scalable and Energy-Efficient Photonic Systems Yating Wan, Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Sep 6, 14:00 - 15:30 B2/3 A0215; Zoom Meeting 96429698106 quantum dot lasers integrated photonics energy efficiency photonic systems This talk presents how quantum dot lasers integrated on silicon provide the missing on-chip light source for scalable photonic systems spanning AI computing, hardware security, and coherent LiDAR sensing.
Manufacturing and Integration Strategies for Flexible Electronics Across Form Factors Wedyan Babatain, Ibn Rushd Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Sep 6, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 advanced manufacturing high-density Circuits circuit design Fabrication Methods fabrication This talk presents manufacturing and integration strategies for flexible electronics across form factors, from E-LIG, a laser-enabled additive process for functional flexible printed circuit boards, to FiberCircuits, which embed complete circuits within fibers for interactive textiles.
Engineering the Data Layer for Physical AI: Newton Simulation, Eval, Ego Data and Deployment Louis Lian, VP of Partnerships and Strategy, Lightwheel Aug 31, 14:00 - 15:00 B4 R5220 AI Physical AI Newton NVIDIA Lightwheel This talk explores how Lightwheel is overcoming Physical AI's data bottleneck by developing trusted, highly correlated physics simulations and robust evaluation infrastructure to bridge the gap between virtual models and real-world deployment.
From Nanoparticles to Microwave Systems: Bridging Materials, Inks, and Additive Manufacturing Atif Shamim, Associate Dean for Special Projects, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Aug 30, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 additive manufacturing wearable and flexible antennas Sensing Systems This talk introduces additive manufacturing as an emerging technique to realize low-cost, flexible, and wearable wireless communication and sensing systems.
Atif Shamim, Associate Dean for Special Projects, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering
Multicarrier Waveform Design and Optimization for Doubly Dispersive Wireless Channels Rawan Alghamdi, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering Aug 13, 09:00 - 11:00 B2/3 A0215; Zoom Meeting 97138208200 6G wireless communication reliable communication 6g wireless systems optimization This thesis develops a structured approach to multicarrier waveform design for LTV channels to support reliable communication in high-mobility scenarios.
Random Matrix Theory-Based Analysis and Design of Semi-Blind Processing for Massive MIMO Systems Xue Zhang, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering Jul 22, 13:00 - 14:30 B1 R3123; Zoom Meeting 91224858133 Massive MIMO Systems mathematical framework Non-Terrestrial Networks This dissertation investigates the fundamental limits, asymptotic performance analysis, and practical design of semi-blind channel estimation for massive MIMO systems through the development of a unified large-dimensional analytical framework.
Integrated Photonic Platform for the Edge: Accelerated Computing and Low-Latency Authentication Zhican Zhou, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, NUS Jul 8, 16:00 - 17:30 B4 R5209 photonic computing unit integrated photonics neural network QD laser accelerators low-latency architecture privacy preserving techniques This dissertation develops integrated photonics as a unified hardware platform for parallel computing and chaos-driven dynamic authentication.
Geometry and Thermal Engineering of VCSELs for Enhanced Performance Wenbo Yan, Ph.D. Candidate, Electrical and Computer Engineering Jul 2, 14:00 - 16:30 B2 R5209 VCSEL vertical-cavity surface emitting laser optoelectronics photonics laser This thesis presents a comprehensive approach to enhancing VCSEL performance through geometry engineering and passive thermal management to enable next-generation high-power and high-speed photonic systems, such as speckle-free imaging and ultrafast random number generation.
Bose-Einstein Condensation of Photons in VCSELs – New Operation Mode of Semiconductor Lasers Maciej Pieczarka, Associate Professor, Department of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology (WrocławTech) Jul 1, 12:00 - 13:00 B3 R5220 BEC Bose-Einstein condensate VCSEL laser photonics This talk presents findings on Bose-Einstein condensation of photons within a well-known semiconductor device - the VCSEL.
Early Versus Late Traffic Management for Autonomous Agents Salman Sarfaraz Ghori, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Jun 24, 16:00 - 17:00 B5 R5209; Zoom Meeting 98475516603 Autonomous Agent traffic engineering Automous Vehicles Distributed Robot Systems Model Predictive Control This dissertation investigates how the timing of centralized traffic management affects the performance of autonomous agents in autonomous vehicle and robotic fleets.
Millimeter-Wave Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: Enhancing Bandwidth and 3D coverage with Limited Phase Quantization Levels Ruiqi Wang, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering Jun 21, 15:00 - 17:00 B3 R5209 reconfigurable intelligent surface wireless communication RIS techniques This thesis establishes a systematic hardware-oriented framework for wideband RIS design, high precision phase control, and spatial EM wave manipulation, providing experimentally validated solutions for next-generation wireless communication systems.
The Three Pillars of Practical Machine Learning Hasan Abed Al Kader Hammoud, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Jun 16, 14:00 - 16:00 Zoom Meeting 98734301189 AI Trustworthy AI trustworthy machine learning Efficient AI adaptive methods This thesis establishes methods, evaluation protocols, and insights toward machine learning systems that are practical, adaptive, efficient, and trustworthy paving path for practical machine learning that rests on key three pillars: adaptation, efficiency, and trustworthiness.
Monitoring Environmental Change in Saudi Arabia from Space: Methane Emissions, Mangrove Ecosystems, and Ground Deformation Abdulrahman Aljurbua, KAUST Ibn Rushd Postdoctoral Fellow, California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Jun 9, 11:00 - 12:00 B3 R5220 remote sensing remote sensing applications Signal processing SAR Satellite remote sensing for environmental monitoring, climate studies and hazard assessment in Saudi Arabia.
Microwave Linear Analog Computer (MiLAC) as Efficient Next-Generation Transceiver Toward 6G and Beyond Yuchen Zhang, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering May 17, 11:00 - 12:00 B1 R4214 microwave linear analog computer MiLAC beamforming 6G This talk introduces recent advances in development of next-generation transceivers that can improve hardware and energy efficiency as a next-generation, multi-functional transceiver architecture toward 6G.
Enabling Seamless Connectivity via Virtualization Technologies in 6G Integrated Networks Sahar Ammar, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering May 13, 12:00 - 14:00 B1 R4214 Reinforcement Learning networks Non-Terrestrial Networks Cellular Networks Virtualized Network Function 6g wireless systems machine learning network slicing This thesis investigates how integrated networks powered by such technologies can be designed and optimized to enable seamless connectivity.
Efficient Spike Encoding for Sigma-Delta RF Receivers: An End-to-End Neuromorphic Radio Classification System Kuilian Yang, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering May 12, 17:30 - 19:30 B2 R5209 automatic modulation classification cognitive wireless systems spiking neural networks edge computing FPGA accelerators sparse computation streaming dataflow FPGA This dissertation investigates efficient streaming Spiking Neural Network (SNN) accelerators for RF AMC through coordinated system, execution-model, and architectural co-design.
Intelligent Multi-Patient Cardiac Monitoring System with Real-Time Photonic Edge Processing and Wearable Multimodal Sensing Zhican Zhou, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, NUS May 10, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325
Ultra-Wide Bandgap Al-Rich AlGaN Devices for Next Generation Power Electronics Applications Ting’ang (挺昂) Liu, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering May 3, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 This presentation explores the development of advanced ultra-wide bandgap (UWBG) Al-rich AlGaN power devices, revealing the superior material properties that position this technology to transform next-generation power electronics.
Cavity-Engineered VCSELs with Integrated Photodetectors for Optical Entropy and Security Hang Lu, Ph.D. Candidate, Electrical and Computer Engineering Apr 30, 15:30 - 17:00 B2 R5220; Zoom Meeting 94108463874 semiconductor lasers VCSEL optical entropy randomness source Secure communication This thesis establishes cavity-engineered VCSELs with integrated photodetectors as a unified and scalable photonic platform for optical entropy generation and security.
Reinforcement Learning and Optimization in Large Action Spaces under Limited Feedback Fares Fourati, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Apr 29, 15:00 - 16:45 B2 R5209 Reinforcement Learning machine learning combinatorial multi-armed bandits large action spaces limited feedback efficient exploration submodular optimization black-box optimization global optimization This dissertation develops theoretical foundations and scalable algorithms for reinforcement learning and optimization in large decision spaces under limited feedback.
Probabilistic Shaping Based Modulation Schemes for Spectral-Efficient VLC systems Amanat Kafizov, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Apr 28, 15:00 - 16:30 B1 L3123 Visible light communications visible light communication systems spectral efficiency probabilistic shaping optical wireless communication systems This thesis proposes novel adaptive coded PS-based modulation schemes to improve the spectral efficiency (SE) of visible light communication (VLC) systems.
Publication Ethics and Authorship - Including the Responsible and Ethical Use of AI in Research Sidney Engelbrecht, Senior Research Compliance Specialist, Research Operations Apr 26, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 research ethics scientific research AI This talk outlines essential publication ethics and best practices at KAUST, focusing on authorship criteria, researcher responsibilities, dispute resolution, and the ethical use of AI in scholarly writing.
Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductors for Future of Moore’s Law Xiaohang Li, Program Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering Apr 23, 14:30 - 16:00 B9 R2322; Zoom Meeting 91573756864 ultra-wide bandgap advanced semiconductors wide bandgap semiconductor optoelectronics quantum engineering This colloquium will discuss the latest material, device and high density IC research based on ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors for the future of Moore’s Law at the Advanced Semiconductor Laboratory (ASL) at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
Introduction to Research Ethics and Integrity - Including Issues Around Research Misconduct Sidney Engelbrecht, Senior Research Compliance Specialist, Research Operations Apr 19, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 research ethics scientific research This talk outlines KAUST's research ethics governance, detailing the submission processes for Research Ethics Committees and the institutional procedures for reporting misconduct and grievances.
Modeling and Mitigation of Cyber Attacks on SunSpec Modbus-based Smart Inverters Using a Real-Time CPES Testbed Mohammad Asim Aftab, Research Scientist, Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab Apr 12, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 This work demonstrates the exploitation of security vulnerabilities in SunSpec Modbus-based smart inverter communication protocol using a PHIL testbed and proposes a lightweight cryptographic security to effectively mitigate such cyber-attacks.
The Role of Humans in Scientific Discovery in the Age of LLMs — Beyond Asking: Turning LLMs into Research Collaborators Sir Bashir M. Al-Hashimi, Vice President, Research & Innovation, King’s College London (KCL); Distinguished Professor, Department of Engineering, Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences, King’s College London (KCL) Apr 8, 12:00 - 14:15 B9 R2325 AI artificial intelligence LLM scientific research scientific knowledge Assistive Technology Rather than offering definitive conclusions, this talk seeks to stimulate dialogue, question assumptions, and inspire new forms of collective thinking about the future of scientific research and doctoral training in an AI-driven world.
Device-Level Intelligence for Adaptive Sensing and Bio-Integrated Systems Nazek El-Atab, Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Apr 5, 14:00 - 15:30 B9 R2322; Zoom Meeting 98963676259 in-memory sensing In-memory computing neuromorphic devices Advanced Sensing electronics Inspired by biological sensory systems, this talk presents our efforts toward neuromorphic sensing, where these functions are integrated within the same device using multifunctional memory technologies.
Advancing Monitoring Capabilities: The Role of Wearable Sensors in Advancing Healthcare, Environmental, and Marine Studies Khaled Salama, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Apr 5, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 R2325 This talk examines the transformative impact of wearable sensor technologies across healthcare, environmental monitoring, and marine biology.
Synergizing Nanophotonics and Artificial Intelligence: From Inverse Design to Intelligent Optical Frontends Qizhou Wang, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering Apr 2, 13:00 - 15:00 B3 R5220 AI artificial intelligence nanophotonics computational imaging deep learning Computer Vision hyperspectral imaging intelligent systems This dissertation investigates the transformative convergence of nanophotonics and artificial intelligence (AI).
