WEP 2025
Outliers
Redefining the Norm
Jan 12 - 23
The Journey to WEP 2025 Begins In:
Scientists may know the term “outliers” as a statistical concept that you might fear in your results. More generally, it could refer to anything (or anyone) that stands out from what is expected, and we welcome a broad interpretation of our theme for WEP 2025. We want to learn about and explore the exceptional, the remarkable, the rare, the unicorns, the Olympians, the trailblazers, the record-setters, the mavericks, the outstanding, and more. Outliers can be a great source of inspiration, and we can gain insights into unique, non-traditional paths to progress and success.
WEP 2025 is chaired by Michael Berumen, Professor of Marine Science at KAUST and Associate Dean of the Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, and is co-chaired by Deanna Lacoste, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at KAUST and Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Program.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Fireside Keynote
(Bldg. 20, Auditorium)
The Fireside eynote are signature events taking place as part of a series of main lectures aligned with the WEP theme by international guest speakers, Nobel laureates, entrepreneurs, and academics.
Panel Discussions
(Bldg. 20, Auditorium)
Join the Outliers panel discussions organized during WEP – a chance to engage with the different topics of discussion and put questions to the panelists.
Workshops
Join the workshops during WEP – a chance to learn about different topics.
MEET THE SPEAKERS
WEP 2025 hosts prominent academics from leading universities, eminent speakers, industry leaders, elite athletes, artists, and officials.
Sam Purkis
Sam will explore the surprising green past of the Arabian Desert, emphasizing sustainability, coastal resilience, and how the past informs our future. The Red Sea, a unique maritime rift, is a modern analog to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean when Pangea broke apart 200 million years ago. By studying the Red Sea's geological processes, we gain insights into ocean formation, plate movements, seismicity, and the extraordinary biodiversity within rift basins.
Sam Purkis
Keynote Lecture
University of Miami
Sam Purkis
Arabia's Ancient Green: A Desert's Hidden History
Sam will explore the surprising green past of the Arabian Desert, emphasizing sustainability, coastal resilience, and how the past informs our future. The Red Sea, a unique maritime rift, is a modern analog to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean when Pangea broke apart 200 million years ago. By studying the Red Sea's geological processes, we gain insights into ocean formation, plate movements, seismicity, and the extraordinary biodiversity within rift basins.
Sarah Parcak
Sarah is an Archaeologist and Egyptologist who has excavated in 14 countries since 1999. She holds a BA from Yale University, an M.Phil., and a Ph.D. from Cambridge University. Sarah is a Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and author of Satellite Remote Sensing For Archaeology and Archaeology from Space. She has won numerous awards and is involved in preserving cultural heritage through her nonprofit, GlobeXplorer, co-directing the Joint Lisht Mission with Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities.
Sarah Parcak
Keynote Lecture
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Sarah Parcak
Sarah is an Archaeologist and Egyptologist who has excavated in 14 countries since 1999. She holds a BA from Yale University, an M.Phil., and a Ph.D. from Cambridge University. Sarah is a Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and author of Satellite Remote Sensing For Archaeology and Archaeology from Space. She has won numerous awards and is involved in preserving cultural heritage through her nonprofit, GlobeXplorer, co-directing the Joint Lisht Mission with Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities.
Eduardo Miranda
Eduardo is a Composer and AI scientist, pioneering work at the intersection of music and technology. He holds an M.Sc. in Music Technology from the University of York and a Ph.D. in musical composition with AI from the University of Edinburgh. Eduardo is a Professor at the University of Plymouth in the UK and a Scientific Advisor at Moth, leading research in music technology and quantum computing.
Eduardo Miranda
Keynote Lecture
University of Plymouth
Eduardo Miranda
Eduardo is a Composer and AI scientist, pioneering work at the intersection of music and technology. He holds an M.Sc. in Music Technology from the University of York and a Ph.D. in musical composition with AI from the University of Edinburgh. Eduardo is a Professor at the University of Plymouth in the UK and a Scientific Advisor at Moth, leading research in music technology and quantum computing.
Tim Blais
Tim is a Canadian science communicator known for explaining scientific topics through a cappella parodies of popular songs, which he shares on his YouTube channel, A Capella Science.
Tim Blais
Keynote Lecture
Capella Science
Tim Blais
Tim is a Canadian science communicator known for explaining scientific topics through a cappella parodies of popular songs, which he shares on his YouTube channel, A Capella Science.
Noura bint Turki Al-Saud
Her Highness Princess Noura co-founded Aeon Collective, a waqf promoting sustainable practices and equitable development. With nearly two decades of experience, she is a thought leader in sustainability, climate policy, and energy. She also directs projects emphasizing conservation and socio-economic development, holds a Master’s from Columbia University's SIPA, and has served on several advisory boards, including KAUST’s Circular Carbon Initiative.
HH Princess Noura Al Saud
Panel Discussion
Aeon Strategy
Noura bint Turki Al-Saud
Her Highness Princess Noura co-founded Aeon Collective, a waqf promoting sustainable practices and equitable development. With nearly two decades of experience, she is a thought leader in sustainability, climate policy, and energy. She also directs projects emphasizing conservation and socio-economic development, holds a Master’s from Columbia University's SIPA, and has served on several advisory boards, including KAUST’s Circular Carbon Initiative.
Howard Alpern “Woody”
A seasoned professional in Scuba Diving, Woody Alpern, boasts multiple roles such as SSI Instructor Trainer, RAID Instructor Trainer, Classified Diving Instructor, Platinum Pro 5000 Instructor, Basic Free-diver Instructor, Tech Diving Instructor, IANTD Normoxic Closed Circuit Rebreather Instructor, RAID Instructor Trainer, IANTD Instructor Trainer, and the Co-Owner & Co-Host of Dive Talk.
For Woody, scuba diving is not just a hobby, it's a way of life. His 49-year-long journey into the depths of the sea reflects his undying fascination with the underwater world. The ocean's powerful energy, which he affectionately refers to as 'Ocean Soul,' has always been a source of calm and invigoration for him. He believes in the transformative power of scuba diving, which has allowed him to meet exceptional people and contribute to the protection of our marine ecosystems.
The rewarding aspect of being a dive instructor for Woody is the ability to change lives through scuba diving. His excitement for his next dive, which he always considers his favorite, is contagious. His gratitude extends to all his students who have placed their trust in him and enriched his journey as much as he has enriched theirs. He looks forward to sharing the 'Ocean Soul' with many more diving enthusiasts.
Howard Alpern “Woody”
Panel Discussion
Swim School Holdings
Howard Alpern “Woody”
A seasoned professional in Scuba Diving, Woody Alpern, boasts multiple roles such as SSI Instructor Trainer, RAID Instructor Trainer, Classified Diving Instructor, Platinum Pro 5000 Instructor, Basic Free-diver Instructor, Tech Diving Instructor, IANTD Normoxic Closed Circuit Rebreather Instructor, RAID Instructor Trainer, IANTD Instructor Trainer, and the Co-Owner & Co-Host of Dive Talk.
For Woody, scuba diving is not just a hobby, it's a way of life. His 49-year-long journey into the depths of the sea reflects his undying fascination with the underwater world. The ocean's powerful energy, which he affectionately refers to as 'Ocean Soul,' has always been a source of calm and invigoration for him. He believes in the transformative power of scuba diving, which has allowed him to meet exceptional people and contribute to the protection of our marine ecosystems.
The rewarding aspect of being a dive instructor for Woody is the ability to change lives through scuba diving. His excitement for his next dive, which he always considers his favorite, is contagious. His gratitude extends to all his students who have placed their trust in him and enriched his journey as much as he has enriched theirs. He looks forward to sharing the 'Ocean Soul' with many more diving enthusiasts.
Sam Purkis
Sam will explore the surprising green past of the Arabian Desert, emphasizing sustainability, coastal resilience, and how the past informs our future. The Red Sea, a unique maritime rift, is a modern analog to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean when Pangea broke apart 200 million years ago. By studying the Red Sea's geological processes, we gain insights into ocean formation, plate movements, seismicity, and the extraordinary biodiversity within rift basins.
Peter S. Baenziger
Panel Discussion
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Peter S. Baenziger
P. (Peter) Stephen Baenziger earned degrees from Harvard and Purdue Universities. Before joining the faculty at the University of Nebraska, he worked eight years for the USDA-ARS, and three years with Monsanto Corporation. His research focused on improving the agronomic performance and winterhardiness of small grains (winter wheat, barley, and triticale) and on developing new breeding methods. He has corelease 68 cultivars (46 in wheat, 8 winter barleys, and 14 winter triticales) and 36 germplasm lines or populations and has over 300 publications. His teaching and service activities emphasized graduate education and outreach in plant breeding and genetics, as well as, leadership roles in numerous scientific societies, international centers, initiatives, and foundations.
Sam Purkis
Sam will explore the surprising green past of the Arabian Desert, emphasizing sustainability, coastal resilience, and how the past informs our future. The Red Sea, a unique maritime rift, is a modern analog to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean when Pangea broke apart 200 million years ago. By studying the Red Sea's geological processes, we gain insights into ocean formation, plate movements, seismicity, and the extraordinary biodiversity within rift basins.
Jodie Rummer
Panel Discussion
James Cook University
Jodie Rummer
Dr. Jodie Rummer is a Professor of Marine Biology at James Cook University (JCU) with a background in marine biology and comparative physiology. She completed her academic training in the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong before joining JCU in 2011. An award-winning researcher and communicator, Dr. Rummer has been recognized by the UNESCO-L’Oréal Women in Science Fellowship, the Society for Experimental Biology, and numerous Australian science organizations.
Her research focuses on the effects of climate change on coral reef fishes, sharks, and rays. Dr. Rummer has published over 150 scientific articles and presented at over 120 global conferences. She actively communicates science through social media and her website, advocating for climate action, biodiversity, and women in STEM.
Sam Purkis
Sam will explore the surprising green past of the Arabian Desert, emphasizing sustainability, coastal resilience, and how the past informs our future. The Red Sea, a unique maritime rift, is a modern analog to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean when Pangea broke apart 200 million years ago. By studying the Red Sea's geological processes, we gain insights into ocean formation, plate movements, seismicity, and the extraordinary biodiversity within rift basins.
Shabir Ahmed
Panel Discussion
SAP South Africa
Shabir Ahmed
Shabir Ahmed is a distinguished figure in the field of management information systems, revered as a seasoned researcher and practitioner, with over three decades of rich experience. With a primary focus on the energy and natural resources sectors, Ahmed has navigated the global landscape among some of largest energy and resources companies in Africa, Asia Pacific, the USA, and the Middle East.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ahmed has cultivated a profound interest in digital transformation and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. His expertise encompasses a wide array of cutting-edge innovations, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Cloud related technologies.
A trusted advisor to C-level executives, Ahmed collaborates closely with organizational leadership to discern their business imperatives and strategic objectives. By delving into the intricacies of their operations, he provides invaluable strategic guidance on harnessing the full potential of transformative technologies. His insights enable companies to unlock unprecedented business value and stay ahead in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.
In addition to his advisory roles, Ahmed is a prolific author and thought leader, contributing extensively to media outlets and various industry journals. His insightful publications offer invaluable perspectives on emerging trends, technological innovations, and strategic business insights, further solidifying his position as a respected voice in the field.
With an unwavering commitment to innovation and a steadfast dedication to delivering tangible results, Shabir Ahmed remains at the forefront of conversations shaping the future of technology-driven business strategies. He has a relentless passion in pursuit of transformative solutions that empower organizations to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
Sam Purkis
Sam will explore the surprising green past of the Arabian Desert, emphasizing sustainability, coastal resilience, and how the past informs our future. The Red Sea, a unique maritime rift, is a modern analog to the formation of the Atlantic Ocean when Pangea broke apart 200 million years ago. By studying the Red Sea's geological processes, we gain insights into ocean formation, plate movements, seismicity, and the extraordinary biodiversity within rift basins.
HH Princess Mashael AlShalan
Panel Discussion
AEON Collective
HH Princess Mashael AlShalan
Her Highness Princess Mashael AlShalan is the Co-Founder of AEON Collective, a cross-disciplinary Waqf (non-profit endowment) that advocates for sustainable practices for inclusive and equitable development. Under AEON Collective, she serves as the co-founder and managing director of several companies: AEON Strategy, AEON Placemaking, and AEON Labs, all focused on fostering holistic and sustainable development.
Princess Mashael’s professional career spans over 15 years, with expertise in sustainable development and climate, economic and environmental conservation. She has spearheaded the launch of the “Tree Library” program under AEON Collective as well as the “Culture & One Health” Program which involves private and public stakeholders within the Kingdom and internationally. She has participated in major international forums on climate (UNFCCC), Biodiversity and Ocean conservation. Her compassionate and inspirational voice on such topics has compelled many experts and young professionals alike to take assertive action, realizing the benefits of a shared global vision for human well being and prosperity.
She has co-authored and led multiple publications that work towards communicating sustainability’s most pressing challenges, bridging the gap between science, policy and implementation.
PARTNERS
A NEW ERA FOR KAUST
Our unrelenting commitment to research, innovation and talent has seen KAUST establish itself as one of the leading research universities in the world, ranking #1 for citations per faculty globally, with a reputation for impact-driven research that contributes to the betterment of the world. This new era of KAUST builds on our many successes, achievements and strong foundations, and our new strategy represents an evolution that brings us closer to the interests of the Kingdom.
CONTACT US
WEP is an annual signature program for KAUST that brings together the world’s greatest thinkers and leaders at the intersection of academia, research, culture, and innovation.
STAY TUNED!
Join the conversations on social media and interact with other attendees! #WEP2025
Enrichment Team
Bldg. 16, Level 3
4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Email: wep@kaust.edu.sa
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