Driving KSA’s semiconductor innovation future

1 min read · Thu, Jul 3 2025

advanced semiconductors optoelectronics semiconductor power electronics

KAUST Ph.D. alum Dr. Nasir Alfaraj, recipient of the Ibn Rushd Fellowship, is advancing semiconductor tech, fueling progress toward Vision 2030.

A passionate semiconductor researcher, KAUST Ph.D. alumnus Dr. Nasir Alfaraj is one of the esteemed recipients of the prestigious Ibn Rushd Fellowship, striving to revolutionize optoelectronics and power semiconductor devices. He works at the University of Toronto’s Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Undergraduate research at Western Michigan University introduced Alfaraj to practical applications. However, his interest in heterojunction devices truly solidified at KAUST. Under Professor Boon S. Ooi, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Alfaraj’s doctoral work on deep-ultraviolet optoelectronics explored wide-bandgap semiconductors, highlighting the transformative potential of optoelectronics and power electronics.

“This initial foray into heterojunctions at KAUST has profoundly shaped my research trajectory and continues to fuel my drive to explore their full potential for a wide range of applications, from energy-efficient power electronics to advanced optoelectronic systems.”