Ask a Graduate Student
Biological and Environmental
Science and Engineering Division
Saudi solutions for global challenges
BESE research is addressing urgent global challenges through interdisciplinary research. Our efforts actively contribute to local, regional, and global initiatives while emphasizing scientific excellence, technological innovation, and sustainable development.
Saving marine environments
Solving the
water crisis
Securing sustainable agriculture
Driving advanced healthcare
We are saving marine environments
Our marine research addresses global challenges like climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable marine resource use, promoting a healthier planet.
"Understanding and preserving the incredible biodiversity of our oceans is not just a scientific endeavor; it's a moral obligation we owe to future generations."
Carlos Duarte
Professor Carlos Duarte a marine ecologist, conducts research on global marine ecosystems, focusing on biodiversity, human impacts, and ecosystem resilience. His work is essential for addressing the effects of climate change on marine environments and rebuilding marine biodiversity, serving as a roadmap adopted by numerous conservation organizations.
“Microbes may be tiny, but their potential to protect and restore coral reefs is immense. Harnessing the power of beneficial microorganisms offers hope for the future of these invaluable ecosystems."
Raquel Peixoto
Professor Raquel Peixoto plays a vital role in protecting marine ecosystems and restoring coral reefs. Her research is enhancing coral resilience against environmental threats using beneficial microorganisms, providing practical solutions to support reef protection.
"Safeguarding marine ecosystems is paramount in our climate battle. At KAUST, we not only seek understanding but also engage in active coral reef restoration, a crucial step toward a sustainable future."
Manuel Aranda
Professor Manuel Aranda's coral research in genomics and symbiosis contributes to large-scale Red Sea reef restoration. His work focuses on enhancing coral resilience through selective breeding and assisted evolution approaches, aiming to support marine biodiversity on a significant scale.
We are solving the water crisis
To address local and global water scarcity challenges, our research focuses on advanced water desalination, sustainable wastewater treatment, and efficient water management.
"The world's water challenges demand innovative solutions. Through microbiology and sustainable wastewater treatment, we can transform how we manage water resources, benefitting both the environment and society."
Pei-Ying Hong
Professor Pei-Ying Hong, an environmental microbiologist, transforms wastewater treatment and enhances our understanding of water microbiology. Her contributions are vital for global sustainability, especially in water-scarce regions like Saudi Arabia
“Remote sensing technology allows us to see both the visible, and the invisible, providing crucial insights into our planet's water resources. By harnessing advanced sensing techniques, we can better address water-related challenges and adapt to a changing climate.”
Matthew McCabe
Professor Matthew McCabe, an expert in remote sensing and water resources, utilizes advanced technologies to manage water effectively, crucial for arid regions and mitigating climate change's impact on water resources.
“Innovative desalination techniques are key to securing our future water supply. We are developing a new generation of low-energy processes aimed at reducing costs and environmental impact while improving water accessibility for all."
Noreddine Ghaffour
Professor Noreddine Ghaffour specializes in the development of innovative sustainable water solutions. He bridges between material science and process engineering to scale-up cost-effective desalination processes, potentially powered by renewable energy for water supply sustainability.
We are securing sustainable agriculture
We are advancing sustainable agriculture through research and innovation in plant genetics and biotechnology to reduce the ecological costs and enhance crop resilience in changing climates and support global food security.
“We are not just growing crops; we're cultivating hope. By developing highly-productive, resilient and nutritious plants, we're sowing the seeds for a food-secure, sustainable future for everyone."
Salim Al-Babili
Professor Salim Al-Babili focuses on crop improvement, particularly in enhancing resilience and nutritional quality. His work in parasitic plants, hormone metabolism and biofortification is pivotal for global food security and sustainable agriculture, addressing critical challenges in diverse environmental conditions.
“Developmental plasticity is an amazing feature in plants, understanding this process will contribute to the global effort in advancing desert agriculture."
Ikram Blilou
Professor Ikram Blilou specializes in plant cell and developmental biology, with a focus on how plants develop an optimal root system to maximize water and nutrient uptake in desert environment. She uses fundamental science to generate biotechnological tools that can help developing resilient crops.
"Nature has incredible solutions to the challenges we face. By understanding and harnessing these, we can create a more resilient and sustainable future for agriculture."
Mark Tester
Professor Mark Tester is dedicated to using science and technology to enhance sustainable food security. Co-founder of RedSea, a sustainable ag-tech company, he transforms scientific discoveries into practical solutions to benefit growers and the environment.
We are transforming healthcare
We are driving advances in healthcare, focusing on precision medicine, diagnostics, and therapies for global health challenges.
"Innovative healthcare solutions emerge from multidisciplinary collaboration. At KAUST, we're uniting experts from various sectors to make significant strides in medical science.”
Imed Gallouzi
Professor Imed Gallouzi, a molecular biologist, advances RNA biology to understand disease mechanisms and develop global therapeutic strategies. His leadership in KAUST's Smart Health Initiative fosters healthcare innovation by uniting regional and global healthcare leaders.
“Our research is centered on comprehending brain function in both health and disease, laying the groundwork for future development of therapeutic interventions.”
Leena Ibrahim
Professor Leena Ibrahim's work focuses on understanding how the brain processes sensory information and its role in mental health and developmental disorders. Her research is crucial in advancing our knowledge of brain functions and contributing to better treatments for neurological conditions.
"Science is a truly collaborative endeavor. We collaborate closely with patients, clinicians, leading global scientists and industry partners to deliver practical solutions to pressing and often complex medical challenges.”
Bruno Reversade
Professor Bruno Reversade specializes in genetic and metabolic diseases. His team integrates various omics platforms, bridging the gap between bedside and bench. Collaborating with clinicians in the Kingdom, his team helps diagnose orphan genetic diseases and identify therapeutic intervention points for common illnesses.
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