Profiles

Former Members

Ronell Sicat

Ronell Sicat is a scientist with more than 10 years of experience in scientific research and software development. His main interests are scalable visualization and analysis of large-scale data (e.g., images, volumes, meshes), and immersive analytics that leverage augmented/virtual reality. He is passionate about helping domain scientists solve their problems using my wide-ranging experience in programming, image processing, segmentation, quantitative analysis, and computer graphics.
Biography

Dr. Sicat obtained his bachelor degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Ateneo de Manila University in Philippines in 2008. After graduating, he worked as a Research Assistant and Lecturer for almost a year before joining KAUST to receive his master degree in Electrical Engineering and his Ph.D. in Computer Science.

Afterward, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Visual Computing Center (VCC) in KAUST. He left KAUST to join Harvard University as a Postdoctoral Researcher, until he returned to KAUST in 2019 as a Research Scientist to continue his research journey.

Research Interests

His main research interests are large-scale data visualization and analysis, immersive analytics, and computer graphics. He develops multi-resolution representations and algorithms for large-scale gigapixel images, and 3D volumes. He also develops visualization tools and techniques for augmented and virtual reality environments towards novel ways of experiencing and understanding data.

Education
Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.)
Electronics and Communications Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines, 2008
Master of Science (M.S.)
Electrical Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, 2010
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Computer Science, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, 2015

Sultan Albarakati

As the Director of KAUST Academy, Dr. Sultan Albarakati leads initiatives to skill and upskill national talent by developing and delivering continuous learning programs in STEM, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data science, fostering the growth of knowledge and expertise within Saudi Arabia.
Biography

Dr. Sultan Albarakati is the Director of KAUST Academy and a key leader in STEM education in Saudi Arabia. In this role, he leads initiatives to provide world-class training and educational programs for Saudi students and professionals centered on upskilling the national workforce, particularly in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science.

His work aims to support the Kingdom's rapidly transforming economy through partnerships with universities and industry while fostering talent development, contributing to National Talent Development in line with Vision 2030.

Dr. Albarakati earned his Ph.D. in 2020 and his M.S. in 2014, both in Applied Mathematics from KAUST, following a B.S. in Mathematics from Umm Al-Qura University in 2004. 

Before joining KAUST, he played a significant role in mentoring Saudi Arabia's Math Olympiad teams, leading them to notable international success.

Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Applied Mathematics, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, 2020
Master of Science (M.S.)
Applied Mathematics, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia, 2014
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Mathematics, Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia, 2004