The SRSI 2012 program is now well under way as it heads into its third week of activities. On June 13 the students met their mentors, the 29 faculty members who will be supporting them on their first university-level scientific discovery. On June 16 the Opening Convocation took place, with Dr. Najah Ashry, Vice President of Saudi Initiatives, welcoming the students and encouraging them to embrace this unique opportunity to develop fundamental skills in scientific research.
The students are now hard at work on their research projects, which include studies in nanoparticle synthesis, protein expression, solar cell fabrication, marine ecosystems and biodiversity, immunology, printed electronics, photocatalysis, combustion chemistry and physics, environmental biotech, data mining, and much more.
In the past week the students have attended special lectures by our own Professor David Keyes, who spoke of the role that computer simulation plays in scientific discovery; Saleh AlTurki, President of the Nesma Holding Company, who encouraged the students to rise to the challenge of being part of the knowledge economy in the Kingdom; and Dr. Tarek al Fadaak, a Shura member and accomplished academic, who explored the significance of the first Saudi space journey 27 years ago on scientific research in the Kingdom and region today.