Aug 11, 2025

Students Shine at the Inbound Summer Research Program

After eight intensive weeks of experimentation, analysis, and mentorship, the second edition of KFUPM’s Inbound Summer Research Program concluded on Thursday, August 7th with a project expo. The event highlighted the work of nearly 50 young researchers, almost double the size of last year’s group.

The program, which is open to non-KFUPM students at both undergraduate and high school levels, draws participants from across Saudi Arabia and beyond. This year’s cohort represented ten nationalities and provided students with an early exposure to academic research in a university setting.

Each participant was paired with a KFUPM faculty mentor, working side-by-side on projects in fields ranging from AI to petroleum engineering, healthcare and law. They tackled real-world challenges with a level of depth and rigor uncommon at such early stages in a student’s academic journey.

One standout project came from high school student Danah Aljuaid, who attends Ajyal AlWafaa International School in Mecca. Under the guidance of Dr. Khushboo Munir from the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Bio Systems and Machines, Danah developed a machine learning model for detecting post-operative complications with an accuracy rate of 89%. Her system enables medical staff to anticipate potential complications based on medical records.

Dr. Khushboo also mentored another participant, an undergraduate on KFUPM’s direct-to-PhD track, whose ovarian cancer research is slated for publication and potentially a major conference presentation. Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Khushboo said, “It’s been a good experience for me. It was my first time mentoring Saudi students and they have been really productive. I think we have been successful so far.”

Ahmed Al-Kiyumi, an undergraduate from Oman, drew large crowds of visitors with his novel emulsified system for water shutoff in oil production, a problem that results in major disposal costs and revenue loss. Guided by Dr. Murtada Al-Jawad and Dr. Amro Othman of the College of Petroleum Engineering and Geoscience (CPG), Ahmed spent 8-10 hours daily in the CPG and the Center for Integrative Petroleum Research (CIPR) laboratories, including weekends. “Having such experienced mentors and continuous conversations with them was very enriching for me,” Ahmed said.

Other projects bridged disciplines in equally compelling ways. Dr. Kamal Chenaoua, from the Computer Engineering Department, mentored Darin Zahrani on developing forecasting models to assess prediction reliability and confidence levels. Since Darin’s background in computer science did not cover all the required concepts, Dr. Kamal first provided intensive theoretical instruction. Their work also benefited from collaboration with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) and AI-focused faculty members.

Dr. Haitham Elnakar, faculty member and scholar at the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Construction and Building Materials, worked with a medical student to conduct a life cycle assessment of an air purifier. This was his first time introducing the concept at an undergraduate level. The project’s success reinforced the idea that sustainability should be taught earlier in university curricula.

As the project expo wrapped up, the diversity of topics and depth of analysis reinforced the program’s value. For many participants, it was a first encounter with advanced labs, interdisciplinary teamwork, and direct faculty mentorship. For the mentors, it was a fulfilling opportunity to guide motivated students through the process of turning an idea into a structured research project.