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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

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Latest Features

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

 

Latest news

04 December, 2025

KAUST alumnae honored in 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Awards

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) celebrates the achievements of its internationally recognized alumnae, including Dr. Fatimah Abdulhakim, who holds a Ph.D. in environmental science and engineering and is among this year’s L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program honorees.

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11 December, 2025

Research highlights involving BESE this week

This week’s highlights span plant development, drought resilience, reef monitoring, microbiome dynamics, clinical biomarkers, membrane engineering, and more.

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08 December, 2025

Professor Wayne Yang joins KAUST to advance single-molecule biosensing

Please join us in welcoming Wayne Yang to KAUST as Assistant Professor of Bioengineering. His research develops single-molecule biosensing tools that reveal how biological systems function at the smallest scales. By creating innovative, label-free platforms to detect and study biomolecules and other complex biological processes, his work contributes to BESE’s focus on advancing discovery in bioscience and supporting progress in disease research and diagnostics.

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01 December, 2025

Scientists use algae to convert food waste into sustainable ingredients

Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have discovered something new about a very old organism and used it to transform waste from a chocolate factory into C-phycocyanin, a valuable blue pigment that is estimated to have a global market value of over US$275 million by 2030.

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03 December, 2025

Harnessing the unintended epigenetic side effects of genome editing

Insights into how CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing leaves lasting epigenetic ‘scars’ may improve safety for patients, and could inform novel treatment options.

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01 December, 2025

KAUST Professor Yanda Meng advancing AI frontier in healthcare

Biomedical breakthroughs are reshaping what is possible in precision medicine. Professor Yanda Meng joins King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) at a pivotal juncture for the mission-driven university, Saudi Arabia, and the world — as artificial intelligence accelerates the next frontier in medical science.

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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.