Two King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) professors have been elected 2025 Fellows of the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), reinforcing the University’s national and global impact across disciplines — from wireless communications to marine ecology. 

Professor Ahmed Eltawil was elected for distinguished contributions to wireless communications and low-power system design, advancing next-generation applications in health, mobility, and infrastructure. Professor Michael Berumen was elected for distinguished contributions to marine science and ecology, particularly for advancing understanding of movement patterns, dispersal, and biodiversity in coral reef ecosystems. 

The AAAS is one of the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific societies and a leading publisher of research through its Science family of journals. Since 1874, the association has elected Fellows annually in recognition of scientifically or socially distinguished contributions to the advancement of science and engineering. 

Eltawil, professor and associate dean for research in the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division, leads research in AI-native wireless architectures and low-power intelligent systems. His work advances next-generation networks that support health monitoring, mobility and mission-critical infrastructure.  

“Connectivity is no longer just about speed or coverage. It is about embedding intelligence directly into the fabric of infrastructure,” Eltawil said. “I am honored by the AAAS recognition, which reflects the central role of wireless platforms that can learn and reason to support critical applications in our daily lives. At KAUST, we are building scalable, resilient and sustainable architectures that enable this transformation.” 

Berumen studies a different kind of connectivity and was recognized by AAAS for advancing understanding of how larval dispersal, species movements, and biodiversity patterns link coral reef ecosystems. His research spans marine biodiversity, biogeography, and species discovery globally, with the Red Sea serving as a major focus for work that informs conservation planning and ecosystem stewardship. 

“It is especially meaningful to see research on marine connectivity, biodiversity, and coral reef ecosystems recognized by the AAAS,” added Berumen. “Through collaborative work with an outstanding team at KAUST, we have aimed to advance these fields in a global context. 

“Closer to home, the Red Sea has offered a uniquely important system in which to test ideas and generate knowledge that can support evidence-based conservation and sustainable marine management.” 

Eltawil and Berumen join three other KAUST professors as Fellows of the U.S.-based AAAS: Professor David Keyes, applied mathematics and computer science; Al-Khawarizmi Distinguished Professor Marc Genton, statistics; and Emeritus Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor Takashi Gojobori, bioscience. 

These honors reinforce KAUST’s growing global stature and its contribution to national research, development and innovation ambitions under Saudi Vision 2030. By attracting global talent and collaboration in science and engineering to the Kingdom, the University continues to support the transition toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy.