Five of the 2015 Saudi Research Science Institute (SRSI) alumni recently won awards at the world’s two largest international competitions for high school students in science, technology, engineering and math: Intel ISEF and ISWEEEP.
Intel-ISEF Winners
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, with approximately 1,700 high school students from more than 75 countries, regions and territories showcasing their research and competing for recognition and prizes.
Each year, SRSI alumni have been selected to serve on the Saudi team out of more than 1,000 competitors. This year, eight SRSI 2015 alumni advanced to the international competition, with three of them winning a total of five awards.
Fatimah Alshaikh won two awards, including the Second Award in the Grand Award category of Plant Sciences and the Second Award in the Special Award Category for her project entitled “Determining the Effect of the Novel CarL2 Strigolactone Analog on the Seed Germination of Parasitic Weeds.” Alshaikh conducted her research under the mentorship of Salim Al-Babili, associate professor of plant science.
Sara Alghamdi, who worked under the mentorship of Peiying Hong, assistant professor of environmental science and engineering, was awarded the Special Award in the field of water technology for her project entitled “New Record for the Most Effective Microalgae on the Removal of Phosphorus and Nitrogen for Wastewater Treatment.”
Omar Alhazza, who worked under the mentorship of William Roberts, professor of mechanical engineering, was recognized with two awards for his work entitled “Investigating the Acoustic Flame Interaction with the Effects of Magnetic Field and Plasma.” He received an Honorable Mention in the Special Award category as well as an award from United Technologies Corporation (UTC).
ISWEEEP Winners
Two SRSI 2015 alumnae also took awards at the Ninth Annual International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering & Environment) Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP). I-SWEEEP is an international science fair competition open to high school students from all over the world. It promotes engineering inventions and energy efficiency/management discoveries. This year, 385 students from 62 countries competed.
In addition to her success at Intel-ISEF, Fatimah AlShaikh won a silver medal for her project. Joining her in success at I-SWEEP was Waad Magram, who received a bronze medal in the category of environment and pollution for her work “Determining the evolutionary origin of oil-degrading bacteria for future remediation solution to spills,” which was conducted under the mentorship of Takashi Gojobori, distinguished professor of bioscience.
Saudi Initiatives and the SRSI team take great pride in the accomplishments of all the SRSI alumni who go on not only to compete in science competitions but who also excel in their studies and flourish in their personal lives. “None of this would be possible but for the support of our faculty mentors, their teams and a wide range of offices and services throughout KAUST,” commented Debra Carlson Wood, manager, Young Talent Development, who oversees the program.
“None of this would be possible but for the support of our faculty mentors, their teams and a wide range of offices and services throughout KAUST,” said Debra Carlson Wood, manager, Young Talent Development, who oversees the program.
The 2016 SRSI program will run from July 16 to August 28 and will host 42 Saudi and KAUST high school students for an intensive summer of research under the mentorship of KAUST faculty.
For more information about SRSI, please email srsi@kaust.edu.sa.