Guided by Discovery

Identified by Impact

about-bese

 

Biological and Environmental
Science and Engineering 
(BESE) Division

We are dedicated to advancing the understanding and management of marine, terrestrial, and human biology to ensure food, water, and soil security within healthy communities.

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Academic Programs

We offer master’s and Ph.D. degrees in science and engineering.

Research

In BESE, we tackle the worlds most critical environmental and biological challenges by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and leveraging advanced technologies to enhance ecosystem resilience, secure food and water, and advance human health.

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Key Stats

Discover data that highlight the strength, diversity and impact of our vibrant research community.

Our research community: By the numbers

 

 

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Latest Features

Explore our featured campaigns showcasing the bold ideas and impactful solutions driving BESE's mission.

 

Latest news

27 October, 2025

World-Leading Neurologist Professor Peter Goadsby appointed to lead a new Division of Biomedical Sciences at KAUST

KAUST is transforming Saudi Arabia's health and neuroscience expertise with the addition of pioneering leadership.

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26 October, 2025

Turning spoiled food waste into commercial products

Saudi Arabia has pledged to divert 90% of its waste from landfills by 2040. New technology at KAUST is sustainably recycling spoiled dairy and fruit juices into valuable products. KAUST has launched a pilot study to demonstrate value of this technology across multiple Saudi industries.

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23 October, 2025

Microbes at Red Sea vents show how life and geology shape each other

A new study led by Professor Alexandre Rosado has revealed an unusual microbial world in the Hatiba Mons hydrothermal vent fields of the central Red Sea, a site first discovered by one of his co-authors and colleagues, Assistant Professor Froukje M. van der Zwan.

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15 October, 2025

Mica enables simpler, sharper, and deeper single-particle tracking

A simple mica-based method boosts the tracking precision and depth of single particles without the need for complex hardware.

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14 October, 2025

Professor Petra Marhava joins BESE as an assistant professor in Plant Science

At KAUST, Marhava will lead innovative projects investigating how plants cope with environmental challenges, particularly temperature extremes and drought stress.

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12 October, 2025

Cancer’s hidden sugar code opens diagnostic opportunities

How a small set of glycan genes could help detect and classify tumors.

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Join world-class research on the shores of the Red Sea

In BESE, we advance scientific discovery and innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration, addressing global challenges with impactful research. Join us in shaping a sustainable future through excellence in science and technology.