Professor Sami G. Al-Ghamdi is an expert in sustainable and resilient urban systems where he leads the KAUST Urban Lab. His research spans life cycle assessment, climate adaptation, and decarbonization of infrastructure, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications and USD $8M in competitive research funding. Prior to joining KAUST, he completed his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, U.S. Professor Al-Ghamdi is active in national and international sustainability initiatives and serves on editorial boards including Frontiers in Sustainability, while advising government and industry on science-based approaches to climate and infrastructure policy. 

Professor Al-Ghamdi’s research focuses on advancing sustainability, resilience, and livability in urban and infrastructure systems through the integration of life cycle assessment, climate risk modeling, and systems thinking. His work addresses critical challenges in decarbonizing the built environment, optimizing resource efficiency, and adapting infrastructure to climate-related stresses, particularly in arid and rapidly urbanizing regions. He employs tools such as BIM-LCA integration, geospatial analytics, and urban microclimate simulation to inform data-driven policies and sustainable design practices. His current research spans areas including embodied carbon in construction, nature-based solutions for urban resilience, and the development of national environmental datasets and frameworks to support green transition strategies.