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KAUST researchers rank in top 1% of cited work worldwide

Dec 16, 2020 Faculty Focus

The Clarivate Web of Science Group recognizes pioneers in their fields, demonstrated by the production of multiple highly-cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in the Web of Science™. Photo: Clarivate Web of Science

Fifteen KAUST faculty members and one postdoctoral researcher rank among the 2020 Highly Cited Researchers from around the world, according to Clarivate Web of Science Group, a global leader of academic research analytics. The list names individuals whose work accounts for the top 1% of research cited worldwide.

Representing diverse disciplines, these scholars are leaders in their fields, champions of the KAUST community, and visionaries who are pushing the boundaries of how we understand the world, with expertise in areas such as health, the environment, communications and food security. Academic peers rely on their findings in developing and publishing innovative work.

KAUST researchers have access to world-class laboratories, research infrastructure, and a network of support from colleagues, students, staff and external partners that help to make their projects possible.

KAUST promotes the scientific ambitions of KAUST and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by providing state-of-the-art facilities, services and training for faculty, researchers, students, collaborators and industrial partners. Shown here: the Perovskite Lab / Wet Chemistry Lab. Photo: KAUST


KAUST 2020 Highly Cited Researchers:


Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division

Dr. Carlos M. Duarte
Professor of Marine Science

Carlos Duarte brings expertise in multiple branches of biological oceanography and marine ecology, with pioneer research encompassing versatile fields, including blue carbon ecosystems. He is the Tarek Ahmed Juffali Research Chair in Red Sea Ecology at KAUST.

Dr. Pierre J. Magistretti
Distinguished Professor of Bioscience

Pierre Magistretti brings pioneering research in the field of brain energy metabolism, with a focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal activity and energy consumption by the brain. He also serves as Dean of the Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division at KAUST.

Dr. Matthew F. McCabe
Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering

Matthew McCabe's research focuses on issues related to water and food security, climate change impacts, precision agriculture, water resources monitoring and modeling, and the novel use of technologies for enhanced Earth system observation. He is also the associate director of the Waster Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC).

Dr. Mark Tester
Professor of Plant Science

Mark Tester brings expertise in molecular genetics for growing plants in sub-optimal conditions, such as high saline water and high temperature conditions, and delivering environmentally and economically sustainable crops using desert greenhouse technologies. He also serves as the associate director of the Center for Desert Agriculture (CDA) and is co-founder of Red Sea Farms.


The Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE) promotes engineering-inspired biology. Its research is aligned with KAUST's four thrusts—food, energy, water and the environment—and centered on two strategic themes: Adaptive Biology and Environmental Systems. Photo: KAUST


Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division

Dr. Mohamed-Slim Alouini
Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Mohamed-Slim Alouini's research is in the modeling, design and performance evaluation of optical wireless communications systems and networks, with a focus on developing new generations of aerial and space networks that provide connectivity to remote, less-populated areas. He is also the associate dean of the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division at KAUST.

Dr. Håvard Rue
Professor of Statistics

Håvard Rue's research is in computational Bayesian statistics and Bayesian methodology such as priors, sensitivity and robustness, with contributing expertise to the R-INLA project, which aims to provide a practical tool for the approximate Bayesian analysis of latent Gaussian models, often at extreme data scales.


The Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE) offers world-class faculty and a research environment endowed with cutting-edge technical infrastructure and unmatched resources. Photo: KAUST


Physical Science and Engineering Division

Dr. Husam N. Alshareef
Professor of Material Science and Engineering

Husam Alshareef's research interests are in developing nanomaterials for energy storage, electronics, and sensors. Wearable electronics and sensors, mobile ion batteries, and transparent electronics are among his current projects.

Dr. Osman Bakr
Professor of Material Science and Engineering

Osman Bakr's research interests are concerned with the physics and chemistry of hybrid materials for novel optical and electronic uses. He is a member of the KAUST Catalysis Center.

Dr. Stefaan De Wolf
Associate Professor of Material Science and Engineering

Stefaan De Wolf's expertise lies in the science and technology of photovoltaics for terrestrial applications, with a focus on solar cell applications. He is a member of the KAUST Solar Center.

Dr. Mohamed Eddaoudi
Distinguished Professor of Chemical Science

Mohamed Eddaoudi's research explores new strategies for the design and synthesis of functional solid-state materials from molecular building blocks, and advancing understanding of the structure-property relationship of materials. He is also director of the Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Center (AMPMC).

Dr. Jorge Gascon
Professor of Chemical Engineering

Jorge Gascon's research interests are at the intersection of chemical engineering and materials science, including the development and demonstration of new nano-structured materials and composites. He is also the Director of the KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC).

Dr. Yu Han
Professor of Chemical Science

Yu Han's research interests include the synthesis of nanoporous and nanostructured materials, the resolution of their complicated structures, and the development of novel applications for these materials in catalysis, separation, adsorption, sensing and lasers.

Dr. Iain McCulloch
Professor of Chemical Science

Iain McCulloch's research interests are in the design and synthesis of semiconducting small molecules and polymers for use in organic electronic devices. He is also the Director of the KAUST Solar Center (KSC).

Dr. Omar F. Mohammed
Associate Professor of Chemical Science

Omar Mohammed's research explores the fundamentals of carrier dynamics in solar cell systems, including semiconductor quantum dots, polymers and perovskite solar cells using cutting-edge nanotechnology, ultrafast laser spectroscopy, and four-dimensional electron imaging.

Dr. Magnus Rueping
Professor of Chemical Science

Magnus Rueping researches synthetic catalytic methodology and technology and the synthesis of diverse functional natural and unnatural molecules by applying novel bio-, organo-, and metal catalysis concepts . He also serves as the associate director of the KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC).

Dr. Xiaopeng Zheng
Postdoctoral Fellow of Materials Science and Engineering

Xiaopeng Zheng researches the physical chemistry of semiconducting materials and semiconductor optoelectronic devices with applications to perovskite solar cell technology. He is a member of the KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC).


Research in the Physical Science and Engineering Division (PSE) seeks to mitigate or solve pressing global challenges, including those related to energy and the environment, across four key disciplinary areas: Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Earth Science and Engineering, Material Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Shown here: the Engines and Fuels Laboratory. Photo: KAUST


2020 Highly Cited Researchers with recent affiliations at KAUST:

  • Dr. Youssef Belmabkhout (2010-2019), former KAUST senior research scientist with expertise in novel nanostructured materials, and currently the director of Technology Transfer Office and Technology Development at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.
  • Dr. Jr-Hau He (2007-2019), former KAUST associate professor of electrical engineering with expertise in optoelectronics, and currently a professor of materials science and engineering at City University of Hong Kong.

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