Rawan Alghamdi works in the signal processing and wireless communication area, with focus on developing solutions to democratize Internet connectivity by optimizing advanced wireless services, whether making them less complex (and thus more accessible), enhancing coverage, or improving their reliability.
Biography
Rawan Alghamdi is a Ph.D. candidate in Electrical and Computer Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), working with Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini and Prof. Tareq Y. Al-Naffouri. Her research focuses on wireless system optimization and waveform design to develop affordable and reliable communication solutions to address global digital inequality. She has published in leading IEEE journals and conferences, including IEEE Transactions on Communications and IEEE Information Theory Magazine.
Rawan has received multiple awards, including first place in the 2025 IEEE PIMRC Three-Minute Thesis competition, the IEEE SPS scholarship, and being a runner-up in the 2023 CST and IEEE Future Networks Initiative Competition.
Rawan earned her Master of Science (M.Sc.) from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2022, and her Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in electrical and computer engineering from Effat University in 2020.
In addition to her research, Rawan actively supports local talent and youth in science, engineering, and research. She is the co-chair of the IEEE Women in Engineering podcast. She has served as a teaching assistant for ten courses at KAUST, instructed over 300 undergraduate students in machine learning and deep learning, and tutored high-school research programs. Rawan leads an online community to empower local students to pursue research and graduate studies.
About
Rawan’s research interests mainly focus on wireless communication theory and networks, next-generation communication systems, optimization in sensor networks, waveform design, and optical communication.
Selected Publications
- R. Alghamdi, H. Dahrouj, T. Y. Al-Naffouri and M-S. Alouini, "Equitable 6G Access Service via Cloud-Enabled HAPS for Optimizing Hybrid Air-Ground Networks," in IEEE Transaction on Communication, vol. 72, no. 5, May 2024.
- R. Alghamdi, H. Dahrouj, T. Y. Al-Naffouri and M-S. Alouini, "Toward Immersive Underwater Cloud-Enabled Networks: Prospects and Challenges," in IEEE BITS the Information Theory Magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, June 2023.
- R. Alghamdi, et al., "Intelligent Surfaces for 6G Wireless Networks: A Survey of Optimization and Performance Analysis Techniques," in IEEE Access, vol. 8, Oct. 2020.
Awards and Distinctions
- Runner-up prize winner, Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) and IEEE Future Networks Initiative Competition, 2023
- 100 Brilliant and Inspiring Women in 6G, Women in 6G, 2026
- Three-Minute Thesis, IEEE international symposium on personal, indoor and mobile radio communications (PIMRC) conference, 2025
- IEEE signal processing society (SPS) scholarship, IEEE signal processing society (SPS) , 2025 - 2026
- KAUST-CEMSE dean’s research excellence award, KAUST, 2026
- IEEE women in engineering travel grant, IEEE women in engineering (WIE), 2026
Education
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, 2022
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Effat University, Saudi Arabia, 2020
Related People
Academic Advisors
Mohamed-Slim Alouini
- Al-Khawarzmi Distinguished Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
