2014 January Beacon

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

BEACON ‫املنـارة‬ at Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

January 2014 / Safar - Rabi Al-Awwal 1435 Volume 4, Issue No. 5

the

www.kaust.edu.sa

‫خالد الفاحل متحدثا عن روح االبتكار‬ ‫بني جامعة امللك عبداهلل وأرامكو‬ ‫السعودية يف افتتاح برنامج اإلثراء‬ 2014 ‫) لعام‬wep( ‫الشتوي السنوي‬

Innovation is not just a matter of the most powerful electron microscopes or most sophisticated nanotechnology clean room; it’s about scientists and researchers collaborating to turn abstract ideas and theories into transformative solutions.”

Khalid Al-Falih Highlights KAUST-Saudi Aramco Spirit of Innovation in WEP Opening Keynote Address

– Khalid Al-Falih

Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi Aramco President and

However, as he became closely involved

CEO, spoke on January 12 at the opening of the

with KAUST, he realized that the University

5th annual Winter Enrichment Program (WEP).

“was not just a construction project, but a gift”

In his keynote address to KAUST faculty,

– an opportunity to construct a cutting-edge

students, staff, and members of the community,

research institution “comparable to the world’s

Al-Falih outlined his own and Saudi Aramco’s

elite universities…laying the foundation for the

deep connections with KAUST. He also discussed

Kingdom of the future.”

the University and Saudi Aramco’s roles in

“KAUST is a new institution with a global role…

directing science, technology, and innovation to

but at the same time it has deep roots in an earlier

“meet challenges and seize opportunities” for the

era, when our region led the way in progress and

benefit of the Kingdom and the world.

innovation,” Al-Falih noted. He described the

Al-Falih described his journey with KAUST

impact of the Bayt al-Hikma, “the world’s first

from the University’s conception in 2006, when

great House of Wisdom established more than

he received a call to assist with building a

a millennium ago” in Baghdad, and how its

“flagship research university for Saudi Arabia.”

scientists and researchers’ work “forever changed

Although his initial response was exhilaration,

the world in which they lived.” KAUST, the new

he remembered asking himself: “How do you do

House of Wisdom, has the same mission, he said.

the impossible” – build a “fully-fledged, global

Al-Falih noted Saudi Aramco and KAUST

research university…in three years?”

are leaders in transforming the Kingdom into a

‫ فهي فرصة كبيرة لقيام مؤسسة أبحاث‬،" ‫األمر هدية‬ ‫ وتضع‬... ‫متطورة " تنافس الجامعات الرائدة في العالم‬ ." ‫حجر األساس لمستقبل المملكة‬ ‫واشار الفالح الى أن جامعة الملك عبداهلل هي مؤسسة‬ ‫ إال أنها في نفس الوقت‬.‫علمية حديثة بتوجه عالمي‬ ‫لها جذورا تاريخية منذ العصر القديم عندما كانت‬ ‫ ثم تحدث‬.‫منطقتنا هي رائدة طريق التقدم واالبتكار‬ ‫عن رسالة أول بيت للحكمة وكيف أنه تأسس منذ‬ ‫ وكيف عمل علماؤه وباحثيه‬،‫عدة قرون في بغداد‬ ‫ وقال‬.‫بتفان وإخالص لتغيير العالم الذين يعيشون فيه‬ ‫" إن الجامعة هي بيت الحكمة الجديد وتحمل نفس‬ ‫ كما أشاد بدور شركة أرامكو السعودية‬."‫الرسالة‬ ‫وجامعة الملك عبداهلل بكونهما رواد تحويل اقتصاد‬ ‫ بما يملكانه‬.‫المملكة إلى اقتصاد قائم على المعرفة‬ ،‫ والتقنيات‬،‫من توجهات مشتركة لدعم األبحاث‬ ‫والمواهب األكثر تأثيرا والضرورية لتحفيز النمو‬ ‫ ومواجهة‬،‫االقتصادي وتنويعه وإحداث فرص العمل‬ .‫التحديات في المملكة العربية السعودية والعالم‬ ‫وذكر الفالح أن أرامكو السعودية قد وظفت حاليًا‬

‫في كلمته التي ألقاها على أعضاء هيئة التدريس‬ ‫وطلبة وموظفي وأعضاء مجتمع الجامعة في افتتاح‬ ،2014 ‫ ) لعام‬WEP ( ‫برنامج اإلثراء الشتوي السنوي‬ ‫ رئيس أرامكو السعودية‬، ‫تحدث المهندس خالد الفالح‬ ‫وكبير اإلداريين التنفيذيين عن مدى ارتباطه الشخصي‬ ‫وارتباط شركة أرامكو السعودية الوثيق بجامعة الملك‬ ‫ كما ناقش دور الجامعة و‬.‫عبد اهلل للعلوم والتقنية‬ "‫ واالبتكار‬،‫أرامكو السعودية في توجيه العلم والتقنية‬ ‫لمواجهة التحديات واستغالل الفرص " لصالح المملكة‬ .‫العربية السعودية والعالم‬ ‫ووصف الفالح رحلته مع الجامعة منذ نشأتها في‬ ‫ عندما تلقى مكالمة للتعاون في انشاء‬،‫م‬2006 ‫عام‬ .‫جامعة أبحاث رائدة في المملكة العربية والسعودية‬ ‫ورغم أن رد فعله األول على االتصال كان الشعور‬ ‫ إال أنه تساءل بعد ذلك" كيف نصنع‬،‫بالبهجة‬ ... ‫المستحيل؟ أن ننشأ جامعة أبحاث عالمية رائدة‬ ."‫في ثالث سنوات فقط؟‬ ‫ ادرك‬،‫ ومع المشاركة بشكل وثيق مع الجامعة‬،‫ولكن‬ ‫ بل أنها في واقع‬-‫أنها " ليست مشروع بناء فقط‬ 3 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

Khalid Al-Falih | Continued on p3

President Jean-Lou Chameau participates in 7th Annual Global Competitiveness Forum Saudi and international experts, including

Participating on a panel focused on fostering

KAUST President Jean-Lou Chameau,

entrepreneurship and catalyzing innovation,

gathered at the Global Competitiveness

President Chameau shared his thoughts on

Forum (GCF) held in Riyadh on January

enabling the scale-up of successful ideas and

18-20, 2014. Focusing on the theme of

leveraging technology for entrepreneurship.

“ B u i l d i n g C o m p e t i t i v e Pa r t n e r s h i p s , ”

“I believe an integral part of a successful

the forum convened Saudi government

innovation ecosystem includes the role of

ministers, international business leaders,

science and technology universities. These

and academics from other top institutions to

universities not only educate a highly

discuss global and regional trends in business

qualified workforce to support industry, but

competitiveness and the development of a

also lead innovation and create new industries

world class infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

themselves,” he said.

“Research universities promote and

“The university climate for innovation serves as a catalyst for a parallel supportive environment in the local ecosystem.”

-President Chameau

leverage the co-existence of curiosity-driven research and more focused goal-driven research, which turn scientific discoveries into products, technologies, and processes,” President Chameau continued. “The university climate for innovation serves as a catalyst for

‫رئيس اجلامعة يتحدث عن دعم االبتكار يف منتدى‬ ‫التنافسية الدويل السابع‬

From left to right: John Quelch, Charles E Wilson Professor of Business Administration, Harvard; President Chameau; Fadi Ghandour, Founder and Chairman of Aramex; and Daniel Isenburg, Professor of Entrepreneurship Practice and founding director, Babson Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Project.

‫أكد الدكتور جان – لو شامو رئيس جامعة الملك عبداهلل للعلوم والتقنية أن "جامعات العلوم والتقنية هي جزء مهم‬ ‫ إذ أن دور هذه الجامعات ال ينحصر في تثقيف القوى العاملة وتأهيلها تأهيال جيدًا لدعم‬،‫من بيئة االبتكار الناجحة‬ ‫ كما أنها تعزز وتستفيد من الوجود المشترك بين‬.‫ بل يتعدى ذلك إلى دعم االبتكار وانشاء صناعات جديدة‬،‫الصناعة‬ ‫ وبالتالي تقدم لنا بيئة فريدة يمكن عبرها‬،‫األبحاث التي تدفعها المعرفة واألبحاث الموجهة نحو تحقيق هدف معين‬ ‫ ونحن في جامعة الملك عبداهلل نسعى جاهدين للمشاركة في شبكة‬.‫تحويل االكتشافات العلمية إلى منتجات وتقنيات‬ ."‫ابتكارات أكبر وأكثر تأثيرا‬ ‫جاء ذلك أثناء حديثه عن رفع مستوى األفكار الناجحة واالستفادة من التقنية لتعزيز ريادة األعمال في حلقة نقاشية حول‬ 2 ‫تتمه صفحة‬

GCF | Continued on p2

INSIDE:

News 1-3

Food & Farming 4-5

Research 6-7

Community 8

2

January 2014

News

The Beacon

In January, the KAUST community celebrated the success of the fifth annual Winter

Discover Saudi Arabia: The Hejaz Railway photography exhibition. Both events reminded the

Enrichment Program (WEP), which brought a host of renowned global thinkers, leaders,

community of the rich history and culture of the country in which we work and live.

scientists, and even a polar explorer to the campus to deliver presentations and talks about

On pages 6 and 7 of this issue, papers published in the prestigious journals Small, Nature Asia Materials, and Genome Biology highlight KAUST’s recent research.

their work.

Saudi Arabia’s heritage and diversity were also on display during WEP through a farmer’s market at Discovery Square, which showcased many unique Saudi products, and through the

In this issue, join us in celebrating not only the successes of WEP, but also the beginning of a new and exciting year for research, innovation, and diversity at KAUST.  —THE BEACON Editorial

The Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 5, January 2014. Published by The Communications Department, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia. Contact Salah Sindi salah.sindi@kaust.edu.sa, or Michelle D'Antoni michelle.dantoni@kaust.edu.sa © King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Printed on partially recycled paper.

KAUST, SAGIA, KACST, and Emaar Sign Agreement to Support Entrepreneurs

“I started the QCI with the aim of introducing the topic to the KAUST research community,” says Dr. Radovanovic. “Quantum computing is not a simple advancement from classical computing; it is instead a new way of approaching and solving problems – a new way of thinking. It will allow us to not only solve difficult tasks, but will also open up exciting areas of research and insights into many fields of science and engineering.”

For more information, visit the QCI website at www.cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/qci 

Clean Combustion Workshop and Center Opening The Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC) will host a workshop from February 17-19, gathering global experts in the area of clean combustion science and technology to showcase current state-of-the-art research in the combustion field. The conference coincides with the official opening of the CCRC, with its Participating in the signing (from left to right) was Fahd bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Rasheed, CEO and Managing Director of Emaar; Abdullatif Al-Othman, Governor and Chairman of SAGIA; Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, President of KACST; and KAUST President Chameau.

entire laboratory facilities commissioned for operation. The CCRC is based on the interdisciplinary nature of combustion research, with expertise in experiments, modeling, chemistry, and physics, and thus the conference is structured in a similar manner.

The conference covers the latest developments in underlying physical and chemical phenomena affecting flame structure, emissions formation, autoignition, and engine operation, as well as numerical simulations for modeling combustion chemistry and physics using high performance computing

An agreement to encourage scientific and high-tech entrepreneurs was signed by KAUST, Saudi

resources. Growing research areas of the CCRC will also be covered during the conference, including

Arabian Investment Authority (SAGIA), King Abdullah City for Science and Technology (KACST),

advanced engine research, flame synthesis of nano-materials, utilization of low-grade fuels, next

and Emaar on January 19.

generation gas turbines, advanced diagnostics techniques, and high-pressure turbulent combustion.

This quadrilateral agreement, which was signed on the sidelines of the Seventh Global

Visit http://ccrc.kaust.edu.sa for details. 

Competitiveness Forum held in Riyadh, is intended to pave the way for collaborative efforts to develop and support technical innovation and entrepreneurship across the Kingdom. 

Center for Uncertainty Quantification Workshop Examines Advances in Field

“Is the Brain a Quantum Computer?” Lecture Examines Brain Function and Consciousness

KAUST Associate Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computation Science Raul Tempone and Omar

Dr. Aleksandar Radovanovic, Research Scientist at KAUST’s Computational Bioscience Research

Quantification in Computational Science & Engineering (SRI UQ Center), hosted a workshop focusing on

Center (CBRC) and founder of the Quantum Computing Initiative (QCI), presented a talk on quantum

“Advances in Uncertainty Quantification Methods, Algorithms, and Applications” (UQAW 2014) at the

computational modeling of the brain on January 12.

University from January 6-10.

Knio, Deputy Director of the KAUST Strategic Research Initiative in the SRI – Center for Uncertainty

The QCI is an open and informal group that began in the CBRC in 2012. Group members have

Topics discussed at the workshop included uncertainty quantification methods and algorithms, their

an interest in following and contributing to the area of quantum computing. Anyone from the

verification and validation, and their application to problems in computation science and engineering.

KAUST community is welcome to join.

A number of visiting professors from international universities also attended the workshop to give

Dr. Radovanovic’s lecture, entitled “Quantum Computational Model of a Brain: Is the Brain

presentations.

a Quantum Computer?,” examined whether a synergy of biology, mathematics, quantum

The SRI UQ Center’s mission is to advance state-of-the-art research in uncertainty quantification and

mechanics, and computer science has the possibility of bringing us closer to understanding

verification and validation methods, software, and algorithms. Its work also focuses on high-impact

how the brain really functions. In the lecture, he presented theories on mechanisms of brain

research applications, including green wireless communications, complex multi-scale electromagnetic

functioning from a multidisciplinary angle, adding complexity to existing models of the brain.

systems, and reactive computational fluid dynamics. 

:‫تتمة الصفحة األولى‬

GCF | Continued from p1 a parallel supportive environment in the local ecosystem. At KAUST, we strive to engage in the larger, more influential and impactful innovation network.”

To date, KAUST’s pathway for the commercialization of emerging technologies has resulted in over 300 patents filed and the launch of six startups. Current projects include novel solutions relating to solar energy, crowd management, air purification, and clean water.

“KAUST is one of the region’s first research universities to build an integrated economic development and technology commercialization program designed around the principles of open innovation. This commitment to the development of entrepreneurial and innovative activities that promote industry collaboration goes hand-in-hand with the vision of GCF,” stated President Chameau.

For the first time since its inception, GCF also included a platform to highlight investment opportunities in the Kingdom. The “Invest in Saudi” exhibition showcased an informationsharing marketplace for potential investors in Saudi Arabia, furthering the development of successful international trade partnerships Founded in 2006 by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), GCF is a platform to promote dialogue about the positive impact organizational and national competitiveness can have on local, regional, and global economic and social development.

It has grown into one of the largest and important annual gatherings in the region for generating real solutions to contemporary global challenges. 

‫ " جامعة الملك‬: ‫ووصف الدكتور شامو الجامعة بقوله‬ ‫عبداهلل هي من أولى جامعات األبحاث في المنطقة‬ ‫التي لديها برنامج متكامل للتنمية االقتصادية‬ .‫وتسويق التقنية يتمحور حول مبدأ االبتكار المفتوح‬ ‫وهذا االلتزام في تطوير أنشطة ريادة المشاريع‬ ‫ متوافق تمامًا‬،‫واالبتكارات وتعزيز التعاون الصناعي‬ ." ‫مع رسالة منتدى التنافسية الدولي‬ ‫وشهد منتدى التنافسية الدولي للمرة األولى تنظيم‬ ‫معرض (استثمر في السعودية) الذي يهدف إلى‬ ‫إبراز مقومات فرص االستثمار التي تزخر بها مناطق‬ ‫المملكة في مختلف القطاعات وتعزيز تطوير‬ .‫الشراكات التجارية الدولية الناجحة‬ ‫ من‬2006 ‫تأسس منتدى التنافسية الدولي في عام‬ ،)SAGIA( ‫قبل الهيئة العامة لالستثمار السعودي‬ ‫كمنبر للحوار حول األثر اإليجابي للتنافسية التنظيمية‬ ‫والوطنية على التنمية االقتصادية واالجتماعية‬ ‫ وقد تطور هذا المنتدى‬.‫المحلية واإلقليمية والعالمية‬ ‫ليصبح واحدًا من أكبر المنتديات السنوية المهمة في‬ ‫ والمعني بتقديم حلول حقيقية للتحديات‬، ‫المنطقة‬  .‫العالمية المعاصرة‬

‫ريادة األعمال وتحفيز االبتكار جرت في مدينة الرياض‬ ‫ضمن منتدى التنافسية الدولي السابع بحضور العديد‬ ‫من الشخصيات البارزة من وزراء وقادة األعمال التجارية‬ ‫ واألكاديميين من المؤسسات العلمية الرائدة‬،‫الدولية‬ ‫ وركز المنتدى على‬،‫والخبراء السعوديين والدوليين‬ ‫موضوع (بناء شراكات تنافسية) على مستوى مؤسسات‬ ،‫الدولة وأجهزتها المعنية بالشأن االقتصادي من ناحية‬ ‫وأيضا شراكات مع منشآت القطاع الخاص من ناحية‬ ‫ وأثر هذه الشراكات وفاعليتها في تعزيز تنافسية‬،‫أخرى‬ ‫االقتصاد وتطوير بنية تحتية عالمية المستوى في المملكة‬ .‫العربية السعودية‬ ‫وعلى الرغم من عمرها الفتي الذي ال يتجاوز الخمس‬ ‫ إال أن جامعة الملك عبداهلل قدمت إسهامات‬،‫سنوات‬ ‫كبيرة وحيوية من خالل برامجها للشراكة البحثية العالمية‬ ‫ نتج عن مسار تسويق‬،‫ وحتى هذه اللحظة‬.‫ونقل التقنية‬ ‫ براءة اختراع‬300 ‫التقنيات الناشئة في الجامعة أكثر من‬ ‫ وتضم مجاالت أبحاث‬.‫مسجلة وست شركات ناشئة‬ ‫المشاريع الحالية في جامعة الملك عبداهلل الحلول الحديثة‬ ،‫ وإدارة التجمعات البشرية‬،‫المتعلقة بالطاقة الشمسية‬ .‫ والماء النظيف‬،‫وتنقية الهواء‬

News

www.kaust.edu.sa

January 2014

3 Photo Credit: Laurence Hapiot

“Discover Saudi Arabia: The Hejaz Railway” Exhibition Displays Kingdom’s Rich History

WEP photographers in action, tracking the Ottoman Hejaz Railway.

The Hejaz Railway, an impressive feat of

Arabia’s cultural diversity and was very well

inaugurated in Madinah on September 1, 1908.

San Roman Alerigi, PhD student in the KAUST

engineering from the early 20th century made

received in the community,” explained Hapiot.

The line extended from Damascus to Madinah,

Photonics Lab and director of photography for the

famous in the 1962 movie Lawrence of Arabia,

“This year, we decided to focus specifically on the

but never reached Makkah, as it was severely

exhibition. “Sometimes when people are living

was the subject of the Winter Enrichment

Hejaz Railway, a topic that is closely linked to the

damaged during the World War I Arab Revolt

here, they don’t have time to look up and see the

Program’s (WEP) second annual Discover Saudi

history of the Kingdom. Everybody has images of

against the Turks.

skyline or learn about the rich history. We wanted

Arabia photography exhibition.

it from movies and history books, so we wanted

The exhibition, organized by Laurence Hapiot,

to show it to the community.”

Hapiot and a team of several photographers

to show it to them.”

and history enthusiasts from KAUST, including

“We were very happy to see more of Saudi

KAUST research consultant and archaeologist,

The Hejaz Railway project began in 1900 under

staff, students, and other community members,

Arabia,” Hapiot said. “We didn’t realize how many

and Marie-Laure Boulot, WEP Manager, opened

Sultan Abdulhamid II, who ruled the declining

journeyed to different areas of the abandoned

fascinating things there are in the Kingdom. There

on January 20 in the Engineering Science Hall.

Ottoman Empire from 1876-1909. It was designed

railway line that crosses Saudi Arabia’s western

is always more to discover.”

It followed on last year’s Discover Saudi Arabia:

to facilitate a faster and easier journey for pilgrims

Hejaz region to take the exhibition’s photos.

Archaeological and Historical Heritage exhibition,

to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

which focused on cultural heritage sites across the Kingdom.

“The previous exhibition showcased Saudi

“This was about bringing people who have a

the Hejaz Railway exhibition and the WEP 2013

After an arduous eight years of construction

talent with photography and who are interested

exhibition are available for display at other official

challenges through some of the world’s most

in the history of the Kingdom on a journey to

KAUST events. Please contact Hapiot at laurence.

desolate territory, the railway was officially

discover different sites,” explained Damian

hapiot@kaust.edu.sa for more information. 

Facing Fear and Moving Forward

Mike Horn

The exhibition ran from January 20-27. Both

able to create your comfort zone, and in this comfort zone you have your car, your TV, your family, your friends, and your circle. You turn

“It’s only when the will to win

ski kite in over 27 months – as chronicled in the film Arktos – The

in circles. It’s like a fish in a pond a little bit; and that’s what your

becomes bigger than the constant

Internal Journey of Mike Horn.

comfort zone is. But life is lived outside the comfort zone. Nobody

fear of losing that we can go

Horn presented captivating images and videos to a packed

out there and do extraordinary

auditorium of another exploit he accomplished in 2006 with fellow

things,” said Mike Horn during

adventurer, Norwegian arctic explorer Børge Ousland. They became

While Horn advocates for everyone to push beyond their comfort

his WEP keynote lecture. The

the first men to trek unaided to the North Pole during the Arctic

zones in order to reach their full potential, he does acknowledge that

South African-born Swiss explorer

winter months of complete darkness. The audience was able to

one does not wake up one day and become an adventurer. “I think

and eco adventurer is world-

admire the first ever picture of a sunrise from the North Pole. He also

that we all have a certain DNA that makes us who we are and to be

renowned for having been the first

shared harrowing accounts of being raided by polar bears and the

able to discover this at a very young age, as I did, obviously helps me

human being to complete a solo

duo almost being engulfed in the frigid Arctic Sea.

to build a career in professional exploration,” he expounds.

said that you can’t create a comfort zone beyond your immediate comfort zone."

and un-motorized 18-month journey around the Equator, which he

Horn’s philosophy is that the vast majority of people on earth only

But one rule of thumb he learned from his father and which he

completed in 2000. Two years later, Horn set out on a pioneering

live at 10 % of their capabilities. “Human beings live in a comfort

believes applies to everyone is: "If your dreams don’t scare you

expedition to circumnavigate the Arctic Circle on foot, boat, and

zone, and we think that this is what success means. Success is to be

they’re not big enough." 

:‫تتمة الصفحة األولى‬

Khalid Al-Falih | Continued from p1 knowledge-based economy. Both have a “common thread”

members represent the best of both KAUST and Saudi Aramco:

of “impactful research, technology, and talent, which are

people who use their knowledge of science and technology

necessary to spur economic growth and diversification,

to better the world by “combining their respective strengths,

create jobs, and address challenges” facing Saudi Arabia

expertise, and insights,” he said.

and the world.

This spirit of collaboration is one of KAUST’s main

Saudi Aramco currently counts more than 100 KAUST

strengths, Al-Falih said, as “innovation is not just a matter of

alumni as employees, and relies on the University as an

the most powerful electron microscopes or most sophisticated

important R&D partner. “KAUST serves as an example of the

nanotechnology clean room; it’s about scientists and

power of collaboration across disciplines and institutions,”

researchers collaborating to turn abstract ideas and theories

stated Al-Falih.

into transformative solutions.”

He noted an example of a team of eight KAUST graduates

KAUST and its work with academic and industrial partners

who are now Saudi Aramco employees. These men and

are a bridge “to an inspirational past, and will be a bridge to

women from four continents “designed and developed a robot

the future,” Al-Falih stated. “I believe also that [the University]

to inspect pipelines and hard-to-reach operational assets like

can bridge human understanding – an element that is essential

beams and elevated vessels,” Al-Falih explained. The team

to the spirit of open collaboration that drives innovation.” 

‫ كما أنها تنظر للجامعة كشريك استراتيجي مهم‬، ‫ من خريجي الجامعة‬100 ‫أكثر من‬ ‫ " تمثل جامعة الملك عبداهلل نموذجا لقوة التعاون بين المؤسسات‬: ‫ حيث قال‬، ، ‫ ثم تحدث عن فريق مكون من ثمانية من خريجي الجامعة‬."‫والتخصصات المختلفة‬ ‫ هذا الفريق من رجال ونساء يأتون من‬.‫هم اآلن من موظفي شركة أرامكو السعودية‬ ‫ والوصول إلى‬، ‫أربع قارات " قاموا بتصميم وانشاء روبوت لتفقد خطوط األنابيب‬ ‫ وهم يمثلون أفضل ما في الجامعة‬، ‫األماكن الصعبة مثل الجسور والسفن المرتفعة‬ ‫ وأفاد الفالح‬.‫ بما يحملونه من معرفة وعلوم وتقنية لتحسين العالم‬،‫وأرامكو السعودية‬ ‫ وأضاف "إن االبتكار‬،‫أن روح التعاون هي واحدة من نقاط القوة الرئيسية في الجامعة‬ ‫ليس مجرد مسألة تتعلق بأكثر المجاهر اإللكترونية قوة أو تطبيقات تقنية النانو‬ ‫ وإنما االبتكار يتعلق بالعلماء والباحثين المتعاونين لتحويل‬،‫المعقدة واألكثر تطورا‬ . " ‫األفكار المجردة والنظريات إلي حلول تطبيقية‬ ‫وختم الفالح بقوله إن التعاون بين الجامعة وشركاءها في المجاالت الصناعية‬ ‫ وأنه على يقين أن الجامعة‬،‫واالكاديمية يمثل جسرا بين ماضي ملهم ومستقبل مبهر‬ ‫يمكنها أن تبني مفاهيم االنسان – وهو عنصر هام لتشجيع روح التعاون الممتد الذي‬  .‫يدفع االبتكار‬

4

Food & Farming

January 2014

Opening of WEP 2014 Food AND Farming

The Beacon

specifically of our heavy dependence on water from nonrenewable aquifers, but echoing her overall message. The global population is projected to climb above 9 billion by 2050. With decreased crop yields expected from a hotter climate and increasing water scarcity, this presents a looming challenge to humanity.

Meeting this challenge, said Fedoroff, requires “a revolution

“Family farms are evolving, just like the rest of agriculture,”

in thinking”—developing new sources of water, land, and

said Professor Nina Fedoroff, Distinguished Professor and

energy for farming, exploring the potential of genetic

Director of the Center for Desert Agriculture, in her speech

engineering, and integrating farming systems to increase

opening the WEP 2014 Food & Farming theme in recognition

efficiency. “There are no magic bullets,” she said. “We need

of the United Nations’ “International Year of Family Farming.”

to push boundaries.”

While Fedoroff’s research at KAUST includes work on

She closed her talk with a live video Q & A session with

domesticating salt-tolerant plants to use as a food source, she

the operators of Lufa Farms, a Canadian company developing

set the stage for the upcoming week by focusing on the bigger

rooftop greenhouses to feed cities from within, and a prime

picture problems of food security in a growing and changing

example of the innovation she has in mind.

world, and the importance of innovation in agriculture.

“We’re living on borrowed time,” she said, speaking

“Can we feed ten billion people, and do so more sustainably?” she asked. “I believe we can.” 

KAUST Farmer’s Market a Success On the weekend of January 16-18, KAUST’s Discovery Square came to life amidst the white tents of the Farmer’s Market, offering produce and products from Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The selection was diverse, with treats like date ma’amoul and Saudi honey complementing organic vegetables and meats from in-Kingdom farms. Thuwal fisherman sold local fish, while one stand sold fresh fruit from around Africa and as far away as the Philippines.

For the more adventurous shopper, Al Turath—a Jeddahbased agricultural company—offered hair and skin products made from camel urine, while Honey House, amidst its shelves of honey, tea, myrrh oil, and incense burners, housed a display of live bees. 

"As you can see, we're not meeting that goal," revealed Dr. Terri Raney

Dr. Terri RaneyFeeding 9 Billion People Sustainably

consumers all over the world, arguably its most important impact.

during her keynote lecture, speaking of the progress that the United

Undernourishment, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity all

Nations and its Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) have made

contribute to what today is referred to as the “triple burden” of

towards the goal made in the 1990s of helping countries cut the number

malnutrition. "What is a really thorny challenge is that these problems

of undernourished people by half in 2015.

overlap. There are countries, households, and even individuals that suffer

Raney is a senior economist and editor of The State of Food and Agriculture, the FAO's flagship report, first published in 1947. "However,

from all three forms of malnutrition," explained Raney. Such a complex problem requires a complex solution.

we are doing better in proportionate terms as the percentage of

There are positive signs, however. One metric that the FAO used to

undernourished people is down to 15% compared to 1947 -- when it

evaluate success is the rate of adoption of genetically modified (GM)

was estimated that 50% of the world's population was malnourished,"

crops. "Developing countries now exceed industrialized countries in the

added Raney.

total area planted to GM crops," revealed Raney. The greatest benefit is

Malnutrition is a far more challenging problem today than it was

likely the reduced use of chemical, labor, and energy use.

in 1947. "Back then it was hunger, pure and simple. Now it's more

When asked what was the likelihood of the world reaching food

complex," she explained. The answer to tackling hunger alone is fairly

security by 2050, Raney used the events of 2008, when the cost of basic

straightforward: simply produce more food.

grains increased significantly over a very short period of time, to explain

The Green Revolution of 1947 did exactly this. An international

that the world will likely always be at risk of such shock events. However,

initiative to increase agricultural research and introduce high yielding

with long-term solutions and risk-appropriate policies, she is optimistic

varieties, the Green Revolution doubled production of basic grains

that the agricultural sector should be able to produce sufficient food to

since the late 1960s, raised farm incomes and reduced food prices for

feed our planet's population and protect the most vulnerable. 

Food & Farming

www.kaust.edu.sa

The Importance of Vitamin A

Dr. Ingo Potrykus Golden Rice

January 2014

5

The Acceptance of Golden Rice

A study published by the World Health Organization in 1992

“The entire technology is the seed,” said Potrykus. Unlike most

estimates that between 1.3 and 2.5 million children die every

other genetically modified plants, Golden Rice was developed as a

year because their diets, which often consist of rice and little else,

humanitarian project, with the intention of distributing the crops to

lack an adequate source of vitamin A. An additional 250,000 to

farmers and allowing them to grow and breed it as they would with

500,000 children go blind each year for the same reason. Despite

normal rice, and in the process, saving countless millions of lives.

humanitarian efforts to provide vitamin-A-rich capsules to

But without the financial support of a large private company,

supplement the diets of those in need, the situation today remains

Golden Rice has run into difficulties in clearing the regulatory hurdles

dire. The problem stems from the fact that rice, the staple crop of

set up for any new GMO. Steps towards obtaining the approvals to

over half of the world’s population, lacks vitamin A almost entirely.

distribute Golden Rice have already increased the development costs

In the early 1990s Potrykus, together with Peter Beyer of the

of the project tenfold. More importantly, Potrykus said, with every

University of Freiburg, decided that through the application of the

year that Golden Rice is kept from farmer’s fields, more and more

“Lack of vitamin A is one of the world’s biggest and most

latest finds in genomics they could introduce vitamin A to the rice

people around the world suffer the effects of vitamin A deficiency.

severe health problems,” said Dr. Ingo Potrykus, co-inventor of

kernel, thus turning the problem of rice itself into a solution. After

“What is disappointing is that for none of these requirements

Golden Rice, in his keynote lecture on the potentially life-saving

years of research exploring multiple options, in 1999 they found

is there scientific justification,” he said. “The data from the

technology. “The social and economic costs are astronomic.”

what they were looking for: Golden Rice. By splicing a small section

trials is clear.”

Golden Rice—a genetically modified crop engineered to deliver

of daffodil DNA into the rice plant’s genome, they enabled rice

But Potrykus is hopeful. Golden Rice is currently undergoing

adequate vitamin A to hundreds of millions of people in the

kernels to produce beta carotene—the naturally occurring precursor

large scale, carefully monitored human trials in the Philippines. He

developing world—has been stalled for over a decade due to the

to vitamin A that gives carrots, pumpkins, and yams their orange

anticipates that positive results from these trials could eventually

difficulties in obtaining permits for the use of genetically modified

color. In the rice, the beta carotene gave each grain a distinctive

soften regulations and silence opponents to the project. “I think this

organisms, or GMOs.

golden hue.

has a future,” he said. 

Dr. Michael Purugganan - The Origins of Crop Species While many of the distinguished speakers for WEP 2014

Understanding Domesticated Plants

were acquainting themselves with the campus, Dr. Michael

Domesticated plants make for an ideal study of evolution. They

Purugganan, Professor of Genomics and Biology, and Dean of

evolved recently, they're subjected to intense selection pressures year

Science at New York University, was searching Jeddah's busy

after year, and in many cases there's an archeological record from the

markets for date fruit. "I'm interested in how evolution works,"

first dates of domestication through to the present. In Purugganan's

he said, "particularly how humans and plants are coevolving."

view, the adaptation of plants to human farms (and of humans to eat

In his keynote lecture, "The Origins of Crop Species,"

these plants) is much the same as the natural interactions between

Purugganan offered insights on how recent advances in genome

plant and animal species that have evolved to cooperate. Flowers feed

sequencing and data processing are giving scientists a better

bees, for instance, and in turn bees pollinate flowers.

Dr. Michael Purugganan

understanding of how our modern crops came to be. The date

Purugganan is using statistical analysis to identify which sites on

fruit he collected in Jeddah represent just one of many domestic

domestic plant genomes have been important in adapting to various

plant types whose evolution he hopes to understand. "We think

aspects of domestication. He hopes that this understanding will help

that by looking at the past, there are some lessons we might be

plant breeders and geneticists in adapting our crops to a changing

a hungry world," he said. "Plant genomics is one part of the possible

able to learn about how to feed the world," he said.

planet. "There are a lot of challenges we face in order to be able to feed

solutions." 

Global Food Security – An Opportunity for Innovation The WEP 2014 Food & Farming lecture series came

2050, he said, will require a 38% higher annual increase in food

to a close with a talk by Dr. Mark Tester, Professor of

production per year, starting now.

Bioscience at KAUST, echoing the message of many of the week’s speakers in calling for advancement in agriculture.

“The challenges are significant, and I think the need for innovation is great,” he said.

Mark Tester, Professor of Bioscience

Tester bolstered the week’s previous talks with some staggering

“Here as KAUST, we have the opportunity to make fundamental

numbers. With current technologies, global food production

scientific discoveries which can then drive innovation,” he said.

is increasing at an average of 32 million tonnes of food per

“This discovery and delivery can be used to address problems of

year, but to feed the world’s projected population of 9 billion in

relevance to the Kingdom, the region, and the world.” 

Discovering New Botanical Heights The KAUST Auditorium lobby had several dozen new residents on display for the WEP 2014 Food and Farming lecture series: fruit bearing and otherwise edible fruit-bearing plants like basil, pansies, Saudi cabbage, and tomatoes, each protruding from its own string-wrapped moss ball.

The plants were the product of a Winter Enrichment Program workshop on the practice of kokedama (Japanese for “moss ball”), wherein plants are removed from soil, placed in a mud ball, and surrounded by moss. While the technique dates back several centuries, it has only recently gained popularity outside of Japan, with florists and hobbyists stringing up the mossy orbs to create stunning botanical displays.

Natalya Ayers and Fiona Inglis, founders of the UK-based floral company Pyrus, led KAUST community members in the workshop. Reactions were positive, they said, and one KAUST K-12 teacher even plans to introduce the technique to her students. “We’re anticipating a kokedama epidemic on campus,” they added. 

“The challenges are significant, and I think the need for innovation is great.”

-Prof. Mark Tester

6

Research

January 2014

The Beacon

Former and Current KAUST Integrated Nanotechnology Lab Students Publish in Prestigious Journals

PhD student Galo Torres Sevilla’s master’s degree thesis appears as the frontispiece for the December 2013 issue of the prestigious journal Small.

PhD student Galo Torres Sevilla and former PhD student Justine

Liquids in Micro-Sized Microbial Fuel Cells”) was accepted to Nature

Mink (class of 2013) from Professor Muhammad Mustafa Hussain’s

Asia Materials (DOI: 10.1038/am.2014.1). Mink and Prof. Hussain’s

Integrated Nanotechnology Lab published papers in two outstanding

team’s work produced a micro-sized (75 mL) microbial fuel cell (MFC)

journals in December 2013.

with a graphene anode and an air cathode fueled by human saliva.

Torres Sevilla’s KAUST master’s degree thesis (“Flexible and Semi-

The MFC produced higher current densities (1190 A/m3)

Transparent Thermoelectric Energy Harvesters from Low Cost Bulk

compared to any previously produced air cathode micro-sized

Silicon (100)”) was published in the journal Small (DOI: 10.1002/

MFC. It also generated 40 times more power than previously found

smll.201301025). The paper, which appeared as the issue’s frontispiece,

possible with the use of a carbon cloth anode. Reviewers of Mink’s

describes research into a regenerative process to fabricate a flexible

work commented that it was “an interesting comparative study

silicon-based thermoelectric generator. Reviewers of Torres Sevilla’s

of various anode materials in a simple structure for microbial

work remarked it was “novel and impressive…the technique is highly

fuel cells…The content…is relevant to the emerging field of bio-

cost-effective.”

integrated electronics.”

After joining the University in 2011 as a master’s degree student,

Mink joined KAUST in 2009 as a founding class master’s degree

Torres Sevilla has continued on towards his PhD in Prof. Hussain’s

student, continuing on to complete her PhD at the University.

lab. He has published six journal and 10 conference papers, including

She has first-authored five journal papers, with two appearing as

five first-authored papers, and is expected to graduate in 2015.

cover pieces. She is now working for the Dow Chemical Company

Mink’s first-authored paper (“Energy Harvesting from Organic

as a researcher. 

Accolade Professor Hadjichristidis named to the Polymer Chemistry Advisory Board Prof. Nikos Hadjichristidis was recently named to the

all aspects of synthetic and biological macromolecules

as a member of the editorial board of Macromolecules,

Polymer Chemistry advisory board. Polymer Chemistry is

and related emerging areas.

and is currently an editorial board member of Journal

a peer-reviewed high impact journal (factor 5.231) that

Prof. Hadjichristidis, Professor of Chemical Science

publishes advances in polymer chemistry, encompassing

in the KAUST Catalysis Center, has previously served

of Polymer Science: Polymer Chemistry, Progress in Polymer Science, and European Polymer Journal. 

Register for Library Training

Have you been checking The Lens?

The Lens is the University’s official blog , providing a one-stop shop for news, announcements, links, and contacts. Available to ALL in the community (faculty, students, employees, and spouses) without a login, it can be accessed by anyone through the KAUST network.

Visit http://thelens.kaust.edu.sa to find: Announcements | Upcoming events | News about KAUST Comprehensive list of University links | Useful contact information

Throughout the spring 2014 semester, the University Library will host several training classes designed to help the KAUST researchers get the most from the library’s wide array of information resources and to aid students in achieving success with their studies.

• KAUST specialists will present the following classes: • Effective Literature Search • Web of Science (science citation database) • Scopus (science citation database) • Business Source Complete (business database) • Pubmed and BIOSIS Previews • Scifinder & Reaxys • ABI/Inform Complete (business database) • MathSciNet and SIAM • ACM Digital Library • EndNote (citation management software) • More Citations for Your Research with KAUST Digital Archive To register for a class, please visit libguides.kaust.edu.sa/libtraining.

Classes are open to all members of the KAUST community.

www.kaust.edu.sa

Research

January 2014

7 Photo Credit: Liming Xiong

Model plant Arabidopsis thaliana on display in the KAUST labs.

Plant Stress Tolerance: A HAPPY Ending with a SAD Gene “Unlike animals, plants cannot run away from adverse

messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA),” Prof. Xiong says. The

change the expression level of any stress-responsive genes –

environmental conditions like high temperatures, drought,

splicing process produces “mature” mRNA that is used as a

it instead promotes the accurate and efficient processing of

or high soil salinity,” says Liming Xiong, Associate Professor

template for protein synthesis (see The Beacon, October 2013).

the stress-responsive gene transcripts,” Prof. Xiong explains.

of Bioscience.

“Because of this, plants have developed sophisticated mechanisms to deal with stress. One way they do this is to

The team discovered that overexpression of SAD1 can improve

“We expect that regulating the splicing efficiency does not

plant tolerance to stress, probably by improved processing of

affect plant growth, but functions to significantly improve

stress-responsive transcripts.

stress tolerance. This is because stress induces a large increase

activate the expression of many stress-responsive genes whose

“SAD1 encodes a protein called LSm5,” explains Prof. Xiong.

products can increase plant tolerance to stress. Manipulating the

“LSm5 and other LSm proteins form a doughnut-shaped ring

expression of these genes is the major method currently used to

complex that encircles mRNA molecules. This complex is thought

engineer plant stress tolerance,” he explains.

to function in several processes, including mRNA splicing.”

in the expression of stress-responsive genes whose processing is often impaired by stressful conditions.”

The researchers point out that the benefits of increasing salt tolerance by the overexpression of SAD1 are

Prof. Xiong notes that there are some disadvantages to

Prof. Xiong and his team isolated a sad1 Arabidopsis mutant

moderate, and “thus SAD1 may not be the best candidate

overexpressing stress-responsive genes. “The major drawback is

that is highly sensitive to drought and salt stress. Using this

for engineering crop stress tolerance,” says Prof. Xiong.

that overexpression often compromises plant performance under

mutant, they found SAD1 can modulate the accuracy and

However, he notes that his team’s work with SAD1 “provides

normal conditions, making the technology much less attractive,”

efficiency of pre-mRNA splicing.

a proof-of-concept study that exhibits the importance of

he says. He and a team of KAUST research scientists realized

“This discovery was surprising because SAD1 is one of the

enhancing splicing efficiency in plant stress tolerance.”

there is a need to develop alternative methods for engineering

seven components of the doughnut-shaped ring structure,”

The study shows that it is possible to enhance plant stress

or breeding stress-tolerant crop plants.

he states. “One might think it is not possible to regulate the

tolerance by controlling the quality of gene products instead

In a paper recently published in Genome Biology (http://

function of the complex by overexpressing only one component,

of the quantity of the products.

genomebiology.com/2014/15/1/R1), Prof. Xiong and his team

but we propose this process drives the formation of the complex,

Because of the team’s work in this area, the researchers “now

examined the overexpression of a single gene, SAD1, in the

resulting in enhanced splicing efficiency.” Prof. Xiong and his

know what the HAPPY (Heat-and-Aridity-Proof Productive

model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. “This gene is not a stress-

team call this the “dynamic model” of splicing regulation.

Yield) genes look like, and are beginning work to isolate the

responsive gene per se, but is related to splicing, a process

The team also discovered that overexpressing SAD1 increases

whereby non protein-encoding nucleotides are removed from

Arabidopsis salt tolerance. “Overexpressing SAD1 does not

HAPPY genes to test their effectiveness in enhancing plant stress tolerance,” Prof. Xiong says. 

Boost to Emerging Technology in Data Storage Researchers from the National University of Singapore, in

observations of a strong torque component that should simply

be observed in thick multilayer systems, enabling a greater

collaboration with KAUST Professor Aurelien Manchon, have made

not be present. Prof. Manchon first published about the smart

flexibility in the structural design of a device.

new observations that challenge the fundamental understanding

design of spin-orbit torque in Physical Review Letters in 2012 (as

of current theories of spin-orbit torque. These findings were

covered in the September 2012 issue of The Beacon).

published online in Physical Review Letters on December 9 (http:// link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.246602).

At the moment, Prof. Manchon's team is actively working on two novel mechanisms that could enhance

This observation is of significant importance, especially as

our understanding and control of spin-orbit torques. These

it relates to the next generation of MRAM (Magnetoresistive

advancements in data storage can potentially be applied

“The important questions that arise from the peculiar

Random Access Memory) technology which provides high

to improve the user experience in consumer electronics,

symmetry of the torque poses thrilling questions about the

bit density and low power consumption. Essentially, their

including personal computers and mobile devices such as

physics at stake,” said Prof. Manchon, commenting on their

observations demonstrate that a sizable spin-orbit torque can

laptops and mobile phones. 

8

Community

January 2014

The Beacon

Annual WEP 5K Fun Run Three hundred and forty-one runners, joggers, and walkers, and at least one dog, took part in the WEP 2014 five kilometer run on January 17.

While postdoctoral fellow John Pearman’s winning time of 17:20 and other top performances were impressive, many participants were out simply for the fun of it.

“The thing I like best about the event is the atmosphere,” said Maha Khalil, a PhD student in KAUST’s Coral Reef Ecology Lab. Nearby, Cabby Tennis, Assistant Principal at KAUST Secondary School, boasted to friends that his dog Chop was the first dog across the finish for the fifth consecutive year.

2014 WEP 5K Winners Men

Juniors (Under 16)

1st Place: John Pearman

1st Place: August Houborg

2nd Place: Rasmus Houborg

2nd Place: Colin Herrington

3rd Place: Rodain Skinner

3rd Place: Max Somerville

Women

Veterans (Over 45)

1st Place: Katie O'Brien

1st Place: Chris Cassell

2nd Place: Josie O’Reilly

2nd Place: Garth Tissington

3rd Place: Rebecca Somerville

3rd Place: Hallak Khaled

Jeddah Heritage Festival A cultural extravaganza celebrating Jeddah’s historical

aromas. During the event, visitors could explore streets lined with

sites and traditions took place in the city’s old Balad area

traditional craftsmen, cobblers, and locksmiths, as well as sample

from January 16 - 25.

favorite foods from various street vendors.

The first of its kind, the Jeddah Heritage Festival featured

The festival was organized by the Saudi Commission for

plenty of cultural and entertainment programs based on Hijazi

Tourism and Antiquities and the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce

heritage. Thousands of visitors took part in the ten-day event

and Industry under the support of Makkah Emir Prince Mishal

that filled the streets of Al-Balad with vibrant sights, sounds, and

Bin Abdullah. 

My University Joanna Nassar

Electrical Engineering at KAUST, graduating in December

project, she will work on investigating and fabricating SiGe

2013. “KAUST has given me the opportunity to work in the

nanotube field effect transistors (SiGe nanotube FETs). “These

PhD student Joanna Nassar came to

Core Labs and other facilities with state-of-the-art research

devices have a new architecture and, along with the choice

KAUST from the American University of

equipment,” she explains. “This has allowed me to carry

of material used, will allow enhanced device performance

Beirut (Lebanon), where she completed

out nanofabrication, an exciting experience that has helped

with lower power consumption,” Joanna says.

her bachelor’s degree in Physics. She was

me move a step closer towards my dream of working in one

Joanna feels that KAUST “is a great environment for people

attracted to attend KAUST “because it’s

of the largest semiconductor manufacturing companies in

to pursue their dreams. Everywhere at KAUST, you meet

the world.”

people who have the same passion and enthusiasm about

the first university in the Middle East to offer such high levels of technological innovation and such broad research

After graduating, Joanna decided to remain at KAUST to

science as you do,” she says. “This makes the University a

opportunities for science and engineering students,” she says.

complete her PhD in the Integrated Nanotechnology Lab

perfect environment for working, learning, and mingling

Joanna recently completed her master’s degree in

with Professor Muhammad Mustafa Hussain. For her PhD

with people from all over the world.” 

Rindra Ramli

improve our users’ experience in searching for information.”

Rindra also provides awareness and training for knowledge

many opportunities to advance his career. “One of the

Rindra Ramli is part of the University Library

management and collaborative learning. During the library’s

highlights of my career at this moment is being given

team, helping to ensure that tens of thousands

upcoming spring 2014 training sessions, Rindra will offer tutorials

the chance to write and present my research papers in

of online resources are available to the KAUST

in EndNote software.

international and regional conferences in the field of

Working at the University has also given Rindra

community. As Access and Digital Services

A part of the KAUST family since 2009, Rindra explains that

Specialist, he helps manage subscriptions to

when he first received the offer to work here, he didn’t hesitate

“KAUST is a very unique environment in which to work,

electronic journals, electronic books, and databases. “I liaise with

to accept. “I love to take on challenges and at the same time meet

live, and study,” says Rindra. “Here, my family and I have the

the publishers and also help address any user queries,” says Rindra.

new people from all walks of life,” he explains. Prior to joining

opportunity to learn more about other cultures and lifestyles.

“Additionally, I study the behavioral patterns of our users with

KAUST, he was working at Li Ka Shing Library at the Singapore

We also appreciate the pristine beaches and unpolluted air

regards to using our resources. This helps me to understand and

Management University.

away from the hustle and bustle of city life.” 

librarianship,” he notes.