Basem Shihada

Professor Shihada's research philosophy is to bridge the gap between theory and practice in a working system. Having worked intensively in computer networks from both theoretical and systems perspectives, Shihada has acquired a solid mathematical background and an acute sense of applying these results to build practical systems.

Biography

Basem Shihada obtained his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Waterloo, Canada, in 2007. Shortly after completing his studies, Shihada joined KAUST in 2008 as a founding faculty member. 

He is currently a professor of computer science in the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division at KAUST.

His expertise lies in developing next-generation wireless systems, and he has made significant contributions across several domains, including intelligent wireless systems, wireless underwater systems, molecular communication systems, and non-terrestrial networks. One of Shihada’s most notable achievements is the creation and successful demonstration of Aqua-Fi, the world’s first underwater Wi-Fi system. This pioneering work marked a major breakthrough by enabling high-speed internet connectivity in aquatic environments.

His research, conducted in close collaboration with students and colleagues, has earned multiple best-paper awards at leading international conferences. Shihada's contributions have also appeared in top-tier journals, including Nature Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Communications, and IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications.

Research Interests

Intelligent wireless systems, wireless underwater systems, Internet of Things systems, molecular communication systems, and non-terrestrial systems are among Dr. Shihada's areas of interest.  

Professional Profile

Awards and Distinctions

  • Exemplary Editor at IEEE Communication Letters., IEEE , 2023
  • KAUST Insight, KAUST Discovery, archyde, euronews, yahoo, and new atlas article coverage for our Sun-Fi work, KAUST, 2022
  • IEEE Spectrum, Dailymail, SciTech, TechCrunch article coverage. Also, France24, Saudi TV, and Duabi TV live interviews for our Aqua-Fi work, International, 2020
  • eeDesignlt, telecoms.com, digitaltrends.com, techtarget.com article coverage for our 6G vision work, nature electronics, 2020
  • Techxplore.com, news-medical.net, eurekalet.org articles for our communication via breath work, 2019. Photonics Media, Phys.org, and Innov Oil articles and Saudi TV interview for our underwater video communications work, International, 2018
  • Recipient of the Best Paper Award at IEEE WiMob, IEEE, 2013
  • KAUST Excellence Annual Review Recognition, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 2012
  • Recipient of the Best Paper Award at AFIN, AFIN, 2011
  • Graduate Student Award, Dalhousie University, 2001
  • Nominated for the Canadian Institute for Telecommunication Research (CITR) Research Excellence Award, Canadian Institute for Telecommunication Research (CITR), 2001

Professional Memberships

  • Member, ACM, 2024
  • Member, IEEE, 2024
  • Member, ITU, 2024

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Computer Science, University of Waterloo, Canada, 2007
Master of Science (M.S.)
Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Canada, 2001
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Computer Science, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates, 1997

Patents

  • B. Shihada, M.-S. Alouini, Boon Ooi, O. amin, O. Alkhazragi, S. Jardak, “A Communication System For Exchanging Data Between Underwater Devices And A Land-based Data Communication Network”, granted United States Patent No. 11,784,722, 2023.
  • O. Amin, B. Shihada, M.-S. Alouini, “Airborne Organic Matter Detection System and Method”, granted United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) No. 17/276,594, 2023.
  • S. Ammar, O. Amin, B. Shihada, M.-S. Alouini, “ Dual-Cell Liquid Crystal Shutter Array-based Wireless Communication System,” USSN 63/399,894 — KAUST 2022-135-01 — PPB 0338-724, 2022.
  • S. Dang, B. Shihada, M.-S. Alouini, “Fast Probability Measure Simulator for Communication Systems”, granted patent No. US-2022-0261457-A1, 2022.
  • B. Shihada and A. Showail, “Buffer Sizing for Multi-hop Networks”, granted U.S. Patent No. 9,276,832
    2016..
  • B. Shihada and K. Jamshaid†, “Buffer Sizing for Multi-hop Networks,” U.S. Patent No. 8,638,68, 2014

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