Ph.D. Dissertation Defense

Nov 15 - Nov 21, 2026

Modeling the Visual World Across Space and Time: From Observation to Interaction

Jinjie Mai , Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Nov 19, 16:30 - 18:30

Zoom Meeting 3940614410

3D understanding scene understanding Computational modeling deep learning

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Ganesh Mainali Toward Monolithic Power Integration: β-Ga₂O₃ Devices and Circuits

Toward Monolithic Power Integration: β-Ga2O3 Devices and Circuits

Ganesh Mainali , Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Nov 18, 16:15 - 17:30

B3 R5209

Ultrawide bandgap materials fabrication design

Advancing Monocular Depth Estimation: High-Resolution and Amodal Understanding

Zhenyu Li, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Nov 17, 15:00 - 17:00

B1 R2202

depth estimation geometric modeling computational imaging visual computing 3D reconstruction scene understanding Advanced Perception

Nov 8 - Nov 14, 2026

KAUST CEMSE CS Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Hao Liu

Efficient Deep Neural Network Inference with Near-Edge Accelerator Offload

Hao Liu, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Nov 11, 09:30 - 11:30

B2 R5220

edge computing Efficient AI accelerators multi-stage optimization algorithm distributed computing Distributed algorithms

Networked Signal Processing for Large-Scale Satellite Navigation

Xuexian Zheng, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Nov 9, 10:00 - 12:00

B2 R5220

Navigation LEO Satellite-based Communication Networks LEO Satellites GNSS localization PPP-RTK precise point positioning

Nov 1 - Nov 7, 2026

KAUST CEMSE STAT Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Haibo Wu Wavelet-Based Modeling of Dependence Structures in Nonstationary Multivariate Time Series

Wavelet-Based Modeling of Dependence Structures in Nonstationary Multivariate Time Series

Haibo Wu, Ph.D. Student, Statistics

Nov 4, 15:00 - 17:00

B3 R5209

Wavelets dynamical modeling Time Series Time Series Analysis multivariate nonstationary extreme data multivariate statistics

DLS-Based Sunlight Communication: From Theory to Prototype

Yuxiang Liu, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Nov 1, 13:00 - 14:30

B1 R4214

optical wireless communication systems MIMO SISO energy efficiency hardware design

Oct 25 - Oct 31, 2026

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense

Low-Dimensional Copper Halide Scintillators for X-Ray Imaging and Dosimetry

Murilo Calil Faleiros, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Oct 29, 15:00 - 16:00

B4/5 A0215

material fabrication scintillators halides microdoping X-ray Imaging

Geometry-Aware Visual Understanding and Stereoscopic Video Generation

Jian Shi, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Oct 26, 03:00 - 05:00

B1 R2202

3D understanding 3D reconstruction geometry modeling stereo video synthesis generative ai

Oct 11 - Oct 17, 2026

KAUST CEMSE AMCS Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Miguel Angel Alvarez BallesterosUnbiased and Multilevel Monte Carlo Methods for Parameter Inference in Latent Stochastic Systems

Unbiased and Multilevel Monte Carlo Methods for Parameter Inference in Latent Stochastic Systems

Miguel Angel Alvarez Ballesteros, Ph.D. Student, Applied Mathematics and Computational Science

Oct 14, 11:00 - 13:00

B2 R5209

Monte carlo methods Monte Carlo stochastic optimization markov chains approximation

Oct 4 - Oct 10, 2026

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Imran Pervez

Integrated Learning and Optimization and Computationally Efficient Model Predictive Control for Power Systems Applications

Imran Pervez, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Oct 4, 17:00 - 19:00

B4 R5209; Zoom Meeting 96126193341

MCP power systems integrated machine learning optimization Advanced control systems engineering

Sep 20 - Sep 26, 2026

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Jong-Min Kim

Experimental Demonstration and Performance Analysis of Free Space Optical Communication with Multiple Lenses

Jongmin Kim, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering

Sep 20, 15:00 - 16:30

B1 R3123; Zoom Meeting 91224858133

FSO systems optical design adaptive control Free Space Optics

Sep 6 - Sep 12, 2026

Algorithmically Faithful and System-Efficient Optimization for Large Language Models

Liangyu Wang, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Sep 8, 13:30 - 16:30

B4 R5209; Zoom Meeting 99767080624

LLM Neural Network training algorithms Optimization for Machine Learning LLM training systems

Aug 9 - Aug 15, 2026

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Rawan Alghamdi Multicarrier Waveform Design and Optimization for Doubly Dispersive Wireless Channels

Multicarrier Waveform Design and Optimization for Doubly Dispersive Wireless Channels

Rawan Alghamdi, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering

Aug 13, 09:00 - 11:00

B2/3 A0215; Zoom Meeting 97138208200

6G wireless communication reliable communication 6g wireless systems optimization

Aug 2 - Aug 8, 2026

KAUST CEMSE AMCS Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Eliza Rezvanova Stochastic Optimal Control with Applications to Renewable Energy and Partially Observed Systems

Stochastic Optimal Control with Applications to Renewable Energy and Partially Observed Systems

Eliza Rezvanova, Ph.D., Applied Mathematics and Computational Science

Aug 6, 15:00 - 17:00

B5 R5209; Zoom Meeting 4569553742

Partially Observed Stochastic Optimal Control Stochastic Optimal Control renewable energy Dynamic programming

Jul 19 - Jul 25, 2026

Understanding Practical Optimization in Machine Learning

Egor Shulgin, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Jul 22, 17:00 - 19:00

B5 R5209; Zoom Meeting 95703397179

Optimization for Machine Learning AI artificial intelligence machine learning Optimization design and machine learning

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Xue Zhang Random Matrix Theory-Based Analysis and Design of Semi-Blind Processing for Massive MIMO Systems

Random Matrix Theory-Based Analysis and Design of Semi-Blind Processing for Massive MIMO Systems

Xue Zhang, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Jul 22, 13:00 - 14:30

B1 R3123; Zoom Meeting 91224858133

Massive MIMO Systems mathematical framework Non-Terrestrial Networks

Jul 5 - Jul 11, 2026

Integrated Photonic Platform for the Edge: Accelerated Computing and Low-Latency Authentication

Zhican Zhou, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, NUS

Jul 8, 16:00 - 17:30

B4 R5209

photonic computing unit integrated photonics neural network QD laser accelerators low-latency architecture privacy preserving techniques

Jun 28 - Jul 4, 2026

Geometry and Thermal Engineering of VCSELs for Enhanced Performance

Wenbo Yan, Ph.D. Candidate, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Jul 2, 14:00 - 16:30

B2 R5209

VCSEL vertical-cavity surface emitting laser optoelectronics photonics laser

Jun 21 - Jun 27, 2026

Early Versus Late Traffic Management for Autonomous Agents

Salman Sarfaraz Ghori, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Jun 24, 16:00 - 17:00

B5 R5209; Zoom Meeting 98475516603

Autonomous Agent traffic engineering Automous Vehicles Distributed Robot Systems Model Predictive Control

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Ruiqi Wang Millimeter-Wave Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: Enhancing Bandwidth and 3D coverage with Limited Phase Quantization Levels

Millimeter-Wave Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: Enhancing Bandwidth and 3D coverage with Limited Phase Quantization Levels

Ruiqi Wang, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Jun 21, 15:00 - 17:00

B3 R5209

reconfigurable intelligent surface wireless communication RIS techniques

Jun 14 - Jun 20, 2026

KAUST CEMSE AMCS Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Grigory Malinovsky Theoretical Foundations of Communication-Efficient, Robust, and Practical Distributed and Federated Optimization

Theoretical Foundations of Communication-Efficient, Robust, and Practical Distributed and Federated Optimization

Grigory Malinovsky, Ph.D. Student, Applied Mathematics and Computational Science

Jun 18, 15:45 - 19:00

B5 R5209

machine learning Federated learning distributed optimization applied statistics

The Three Pillars of Practical Machine Learning

Hasan Abed Al Kader Hammoud, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Jun 16, 14:00 - 16:00

Zoom Meeting 98734301189

AI Trustworthy AI trustworthy machine learning Efficient AI adaptive methods

May 10 - May 16, 2026

KAUST CEMSE STAT Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Xiran Zhang Scalable Methods for Multivariate Normal Probability Estimation with Applications in Confidence Region Detection, Transport Phenomena, and Parallel Computing Using RCOMPSs

Scalable Methods for Multivariate Normal Probability Estimation with Applications in Confidence Region Detection, Transport Phenomena, and Parallel Computing Using RCOMPSs

Xiran Zhang, Ph.D. Student, Statistics

May 14, 15:00 - 17:00

B2 R5209

geospatial statistics spatio-temporal statistics High Performance Computing HPC multivariate statistics GPU Algorithms

KAUST CEMSE STAT Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Fernando Rodriguez Avellaneda Bayesian Spatio-Temporal Modeling for Environmental Monitoring and Epidemiology: Disaggregation and Disease Spread Dynamics

Bayesian Spatio-Temporal Modeling for Environmental Monitoring and Epidemiology: Disaggregation and Disease Spread Dynamics

Fernando Rodriguez Avellaneda, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Marine Science

May 14, 14:00 - 16:00

B3 R5220

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Sahar Ammar Enabling Seamless Connectivity via Virtualization Technologies in 6G Integrated Networks

Enabling Seamless Connectivity via Virtualization Technologies in 6G Integrated Networks

Sahar Ammar, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

May 13, 12:00 - 14:00

B1 R4214

Reinforcement Learning networks Non-Terrestrial Networks Cellular Networks Virtualized Network Function 6g wireless systems machine learning network slicing

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Kuilian Yang Efficient Spike Encoding for Sigma-Delta RF Receivers: An End-to-End Neuromorphic Radio Classification System

Efficient Spike Encoding for Sigma-Delta RF Receivers: An End-to-End Neuromorphic Radio Classification System

Kuilian Yang, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

May 12, 17:30 - 19:30

B2 R5209

automatic modulation classification cognitive wireless systems spiking neural networks edge computing FPGA accelerators sparse computation streaming dataflow FPGA

Differentiable Optics for Automated Optical Design and End-to-end Computational Imaging

Xinge Yang, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

May 11, 17:00 - 18:30

B1 R2202

differentiable optics computational imaging optical design automated design augmented reality virtual reality AR VR

May 3 - May 16, 2026

Multimodal Agents: From Automation toward Open-Ended Self-Improvement

Mingchen Zhuge, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

May 9, 17:30 - 19:30

B4 R5220; Zoom Meeting 91489077683

AI agents coding Multi-agent systems world models recursive self-improvement LLM Deep Reinforcement Learning

May 3 - May 9, 2026

KAUST CEMSE CS Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Salma Kharrat

Learning under Limited Information across Federated, Multi-Agent, and LLM Settings

Salma Kharrat, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

May 7, 15:00 - 16:45

B3 R5220

Federated learning personalized learning decentralized learning Reinforcement Learning black-box optimization prompt optimization decentralized systems combinatorial optimization observability inference Trustworthy AI trustworthy machine learning intelligent systems LLM

KAUST CEMSE STAT Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Paolo Victor Redondo Modeling Complex Dependence in Multivariate Time Series, with Applications to Brain Signals

Modeling Complex Dependence in Multivariate Time Series, with Applications to Brain Signals

Paolo Victor Redondo, Ph.D. Student, Statistics

May 5, 15:00 - 17:00

B2 R5209; Zoom Meeting 95773646717

extreme statistics Biostatistics brain signals multivariate statistics Time Series

Apr 26 - May 2, 2026

Cavity-Engineered VCSELs with Integrated Photodetectors for Optical Entropy and Security

Hang Lu, Ph.D. Candidate, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Apr 30, 15:30 - 17:00

B2 R5220; Zoom Meeting 94108463874

semiconductor lasers VCSEL optical entropy randomness source Secure communication

KAUST CEMSE STAT Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Xiang Chen Towards an Early Warning System for Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases: Spatio-Temporal Modeling and Deep Learning for Dengue Forecasting in Brazil

Towards an Early Warning System for Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases: Spatio-Temporal Modeling and Deep Learning for Dengue Forecasting in Brazil

Xiang Chen, Ph.D. Student (former), Statistics

Apr 30, 13:00 - 16:00

B5 R5209

spatio-temporal modeling geospatial statistics infectious disease explainable AI Public Health climate data deep learning computational predictions

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Fares Fourati Reinforcement Learning and Optimization in Large Action Spaces under Limited Feedback

Reinforcement Learning and Optimization in Large Action Spaces under Limited Feedback

Fares Fourati, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Apr 29, 15:00 - 16:45

B2 R5209

Reinforcement Learning machine learning combinatorial multi-armed bandits large action spaces limited feedback efficient exploration submodular optimization black-box optimization global optimization

KAUST CEMSE STAT Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Xiaotian Jin A Unified and Computationally Efficient Non-Gaussian Statistical Modeling Framework

A Unified and Computationally Efficient Non-Gaussian Statistical Modeling Framework

Xiaotian Jin, Ph.D. Student, Statistics

Apr 29, 15:00 - 16:30

B4 R5209

latent Gaussian models spatio-temporal statistics stochastic algorithms multivariate statistics

On Cross Validation, Log Gaussian Cox Process and Variational Bayes

Hans Montcho, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Statistics

Apr 29, 10:00 - 12:00

B2 R5220; Zoom Meeting 99219689653

Bayesian computational technique Bayesian computational statistics latent Gaussian models Point patterns spital point patterns

Causal Reasoning in Medical Digital Twins: Methods and Architectures

Sakhaa Alsaedi, Ph.D. (former), Computer Science

Apr 29, 03:00 - 05:00

B3 R5209

explainable AI reasoning causal representation learning medical digital twins personalized medicine AI AI for healthcare

Probabilistic Shaping Based Modulation Schemes for Spectral-Efficient VLC systems

Amanat Kafizov, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Apr 28, 15:00 - 16:30

B1 L3123

Visible light communications visible light communication systems spectral efficiency probabilistic shaping optical wireless communication systems

Disease Nowcasting Using Integrated and Adaptive Statistical Models

Yang Xiao, Ph.D. Student, Statistics

Apr 28, 10:00 - 12:30

B5 R5220; Zoom Meeting 93296195795

Adaptive modeling Public Health bayesian inference

Apr 12 - Apr 18, 2026

KAUST CEMSE STAT Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Damilya Saduakhas SPDE-Based Geostatistical and Point Process Models for Environmental and Urban Network Applications

SPDE-Based Geostatistical and Point Process Models for Environmental and Urban Network Applications

Damilya Saduakhas, Ph.D. Student, Statistics

Apr 15, 13:00 - 15:00

B5 R5209; Zoom Meeting 96585312249

SPDEs geostatistics oceanography monitoring multivariate spatial processes environmental applications

Private and Robust Learning for Decision Making

Yulian Wu, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Apr 14, 15:00 - 17:00

B4 R5220; Zoom Meeting 98132861421

decision making Trustworthy AI privacy-preserving AI Data Privacy machine learning artificial intelligence AI

Apr 5 - Apr 11, 2026

Statistical Modeling of Financial Extremes and Volatility Dynamics

Junshu Jiang, Ph.D. Student (former), Statistics

Apr 6, 14:00 - 17:00

B2 R5220

Quantitative finance Statistical Modeling extreme events numerical analysis

Mar 29 - Apr 4, 2026

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Qizhou Wang Synergizing Nanophotonics and Artificial Intelligence: From Inverse Design to Intelligent Optical Frontends

Synergizing Nanophotonics and Artificial Intelligence: From Inverse Design to Intelligent Optical Frontends

Qizhou Wang, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Apr 2, 13:00 - 15:00

B3 R5220

AI artificial intelligence nanophotonics computational imaging deep learning Computer Vision hyperspectral imaging intelligent systems

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Igor Getmanov Microwave Characterization of Plasmonic Antennas and Transmission Lines at Mid-Infrared Frequencies Through Near-Field Imaging

Microwave Characterization of Plasmonic Antennas and Transmission Lines at Mid-Infrared Frequencies Through Near-Field Imaging

Igor Getmanov, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Apr 2, 05:00 - 07:00

B3 R5220

THz antennas plasmonic structure electronic integrated devices

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Xiangpeng Ou Low-Noise Tunable Quantum-Dot Lasers for Coherent FMCW Ranging and High-Speed Optical Communications

Low-Noise Tunable Quantum-Dot Lasers for Coherent FMCW Ranging and High-Speed Optical Communications

Xiangpeng Ou, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Apr 1, 15:00 - 16:30

B3 R5209

quantum dot lasers laser photonics on-chip light sources

KAUST CEMSE ECE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Heyou Liu Free-Space Optics for Non-Terrestrial Networks: Energy-Sustained Platforms and Photon-Counting Receivers

Free-Space Optics for Non-Terrestrial Networks: Energy-Sustained Platforms and Photon-Counting Receivers

Heyou Liu, Ph.D. Student, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Apr 1, 13:30 - 15:00

B5 R5209

wireless communication systems Free Space Optics Non-Terrestrial Networks Stochastic Geometry

Mar 8 - Mar 14, 2026

Provable and Measurable Machine Unlearning in Modern Learning Systems

Cheng-Long Wang, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Mar 10, 10:30 - 12:30

B2 L5 R5209

Machine Unlearning Data Privacy Trustworthy AI Federated learning machine learning AI

Learning to Identify and Exploit Neural Network Dynamics in Multi-Step Inference

Haozhe Liu, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Mar 9, 13:30 - 15:30

B4 L5 R5220; Zoom Meeting 95866424218

Mar 1 - Mar 7, 2026

KAUST CEMSE Ph.D. Dissertation Defense Ilies Benhabbour Assessing Network Middlebox Impact on End-to-End Protocol Behavior via a Distributed and Reprogrammable Framework

Assessing Network Middlebox Impact on End-to-End Protocol Behavior via a Distributed and Reprogrammable Framework

Ilies Benhabbour, Ph.D. Student, Computer Science

Mar 4, 13:00 - 16:00

B5 L5 R5220

cybersecurity Cryptography distributed computing

Feb 1 - Feb 7, 2026

Efficient Machine Learning for Scientific and Medical Applications

Yasir Ghunaim, Ph.D., Computer Science

Feb 4, 18:00 - 20:00

B4/5 L0 A0215

Efficient Machine Learning machine learning Graph Neural Networks