CEMSE Weekly Updates - February 3, 2026 Tue, Feb 3 2026 Newsletter Upcoming Events Stay informed about the upcoming events and the latest news from CEMSE. Upcoming Events AI for Optics and Optics for AI Wolfgang Heidrich, Professor, Computer Science Feb 8, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 L2 R2325 This talk will highlight recent work on the interconnection between AI techniques and (imaging) optics. Rising Stars in AI Symposium 2026 Feb 9 - 11, All day KAUST Campus AI artificial intelligence Join the AI research community for a multi-day symposium focused on emerging research directions and collaboration. Accelerating Branch-and-Bound Graph Algorithms with GPUs Izzat El Hajj, Assistant Professor, Computer Science, American University of Beirut (AUB) Feb 9, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 L2 R2325 parallel computing optimization GPU Algorithms HPC Graph Theory Efficient This talk presents multiple techniques that we have developed to load balance the search tree traversal on GPUs and mitigate the strain on memory capacity and bandwidth. Mathematical Design and Analysis of Iterative Methods for Linear and Nonlinear Problems Jongho Park, Research Scientist, Applied Mathematics and Computational Science Feb 10, 14:30 - 15:30 B1 L3 R3119 nonlinear models algorithms iterative methods This talk presents a systematic approach to the design and analysis of iterative methods for solving linear and nonlinear problems. Data-driven Anomaly Detection in Industrial Processes Fouzi Harrou, Senior Research Scientist, Statistics Feb 12, 12:00 - 13:00 B9 L2 R2325 anomaly detection multivariate statistics artificial intelligence AI This talk presents a model-based anomaly detection framework, along with data-driven process monitoring approaches based on multivariate statistical methods and artificial intelligence techniques. Latest News Professor Hakan Bagci named an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellow 2 min read · Thu, Jan 1 2026 Awards News IEEE KAUST Professor Hakan Bagci has been named an IEEE Fellow, the organization’s highest distinction, in recognition of his contributions to computational electromagnetics. Building bridges between mathematical statistics and real-world impact 4 min read · Tue, Jan 6 2026 Spotlight News Research in Focus mathematical statistics random fields stochastic partial differential equations computational statistics A research journey that connects statistical theory with the complexity of real-world systems. KAUST innovators named to MIT Technology Review Arabia’s Innovators Under 35 MENA list 1 min read · Thu, Jan 8 2026 News Clip Awards News award Recognizing research at KAUST focused on intelligent systems for future cities. When communication systems begin to reason 4 min read · Thu, Jan 8 2026 Spotlight News Insights into how generative intelligence is redefining the foundations of future communication systems. Tiny sensor could transform head injury detection 1 min read · Mon, Jan 12 2026 News Clip News sensors After losing his brother to undetected head trauma, a KAUST researcher helped design a sensor that instantly distinguishes minor bumps from dangerous blows. KAUST establishes Quantum Foundry for national quantum hardware development in Saudi Arabia 1 min read · Wed, Jan 21 2026 News Clip News Quantinuum A new platform to help researchers and industry develop scalable, reproducible quantum hardware in Saudi Arabia. KAUST professor Peter Richtárik receives Charles Broyden Prize for second consecutive year 2 min read · Wed, Jan 21 2026 Awards News optimization machine learning communication efficiency artificial intelligence big data algorithm The prize honors work advancing communication-efficient optimization for large-scale distributed learning systems. Smarter MRI image analysis for the whole heart 1 min read · Thu, Jan 22 2026 News Clip News bayesian analysis Bayesian Statistics A Bayesian approach that selects the most informative frames for manual labeling could speed up real-time heart MRI analysis. KAUST, in collaboration with MCIT, to host the second edition of the MENA Machine Learning Winter School (MenaML) 1 min read · Mon, Jan 26 2026 News Clip News machine learning artificial intelligence AI A week of advanced instruction and exchange for emerging machine learning talent. The right path: New dean Professor Omar Knio focuses on people, purpose, and impact 1 min read · Wed, Jan 28 2026 News Clip News Professor Omar Knio appointed dean of the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division at KAUST.