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How do I know who my advisor is? Can I change my advisor?

​For M.S. students, your advisor when you are admitted to KAUST is the Program Chair. For Ph.D. students, your advisor is your PI (supervisor) whose lab you have been accepted in to. 

Yes, you can change your advisor. M.S. students are advised to do so if/when they begin their thesis or directed research.  Ph.D. students do have the ability to change advisors, but the overall impact to the Ph.D. project, as well as the time left to finish the Ph.D., could be significant.  This will have to be taken into account before approval.

​M.S. students need 36 credits (combination of courses and research is specific to your program). 

Ph.D. students need 6 credits of 300-level coursework and will earn dissertation research credit each semester until they defend (no minimum credits established, although there is a minimum residency requirement of 2.5 years).

​During your final M.S. semester at KAUST, you will be eligible to submit a “rollover” application.  You will be contacted by the Admissions Office for this.  You must have a confirmed supervisor in order for the application to be approved.

​M.S. students get all university holidays (Eid Al-Fitr, Eid Al-Adha, Spring break).  

Ph.D. students get university holidays and three weeks of annual/vacation leave per calendar year to be taken in agreement with your PI.

​Mandatory, core and elective courses are listed in the program guide. The program guides for all BESE programs can be found here 
​“Time Extension to Complete M.S. Thesis” application request can be submitted by the 9th week of your final Fall semester.  See application for required approvals here .
​No.  Only once during your time here at KAUST.  If “WE Courses” appears on your KAUST transcript, that means you have met this requirement.​
​Yes, both M.S. and Ph.D. in all BESE programs must register, attend, and receive an S grade for the graduate seminar each semester (Spring and Fall, NOT summer).

​Yes. Drop and Add deadlines are on the academic calendar.

​Your GPC can help you request these from the Registrar’s Office, or you can contact them directly at  RegistrarHelpDesk@KAUST.EDU.SA​​ 

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Deciphering the hidden ecology of cryptobenthic reef fishes

Abstract:
Cryptobenthic reef fishes (CRFs) differ significantly from more conspicuous and mobile coral reef fishes. CRFs are challenging to observe due to their small body size (typically less than 5 cm in length), cryptic behavior, and close association with the benthic environment. These characteristics often lead to their exclusion from traditional reef fish studies, creating a substantial knowledge gap in our understanding of coral reef diversity and functioning. The omission of CRFs conceals up to 50% of fish biomass and up to 40% of fish species on coral reefs. While many coral reef studies aim to understand the ecosystem's functioning as a whole, the lack of knowledge about the ecological roles and relative importance of CRFs has hindered their inclusion in such analyses. Enhancing our understanding of CRFs' roles in coral reef functioning is crucial, particularly in an era of significant anthropogenic impacts on natural ecosystems. The main goal of this thesis is to elucidate the roles of CRFs in coral reef ecosystem functioning. The first chapter proposes a set of specific traits that approximate CRFs' contributions to ecosystem functioning and discusses their implications. The second chapter presents an analysis of CRF community dynamics across three reefs at increasing distances from the shore, sampled across six distinct habitats. This includes assessments of species diversity, density, and standing biomass, alongside models of biomass dynamics potential. Leveraging the species diversity and abundance of the genus Eviota on the surveyed reefs, the second chapter has a second part that explore species-specific habitat and benthic structure usage, emphasizing mechanisms of habitat competitive exclusion between phylogenetically close species. The final chapter explores the diets of a subset of CRF species from the studied sites, comparing diet diversity and relative prey abundance across different habitats and reefs. The dissertation concludes with a synthesis of the findings, offering general conclusions and insights for future research.

Bio:
Lucía is originally from Cali, Colombia, where her passion for marine life and biodiversity began. She developed a fascination for coral reefs ecosystems and the diversity of fishes that inhabit them. Lucía pursued her Master’s degree at KAUST, where she is currently completing her Ph.D.under the supervision of Professor Michael Berumen. Her research focuses on understanding the ecological and evolutionary aspects of coral reef fishes, with a special emphasis on cryptobenthic species that play crucial roles in reef functioning. Throughout her Ph.D. journey, Lucia has utilized a combination of ecological surveys and molecular tools to address questions of biodiversity, species interactions, and ecosystem functions. Her work at KAUST has contributed to the discovery and description of two new fish species from the Red Sea, along with several publications describing different ecological processes on coral reef ecosystems.

Speakers

Lucía Pombo Ayora

​LIFE AT KAUST