Dr. Mohammad Alhassoun received the B.Sc. degree in electrical engineering
from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, in 2013, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, in 2015 and 2019, respectively. He is currently an Assistant
Professor with KFUPM. He previously worked with Nokia Bell Labs as an EMCD Intern. His research interests include radio channel modeling, retrodirective backscatter communications, spectrally efficient backscatter systems, and physical-layer applications of machine learning. He is the recipient of both the 2018 and 2019 IEEE International
Conference on RFID Best Paper Award.
Dr. Mohammad Alhassoun received the B.Sc. degree in electrical engineering
from the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, in 2013, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, in 2015 and 2019, respectively. He is currently an Assistant
Professor with KFUPM. He previously worked with Nokia Bell Labs as an EMCD Intern. His research interests include radio channel modeling, retrodirective backscatter communications, spectrally efficient backscatter systems, and physical-layer applications of machine learning. He is the recipient of both the 2018 and 2019 IEEE International
Conference on RFID Best Paper Award.
Amira’s work at Qualcomm is at the leading edge of 5G Advanced and 6G research, including the setup of the 5G/6G innovation platform project in Lannion France, as integrating the Qualcomm global R&D engagements on XR, IOT, Automotive, Private Networks and NTN trials into the 6G European Research. Her professional tenure spans over 15 years in industrial R&D for International Telecom Industries (Infra & Device Vendors, Operators, Chipset Vendors) and European Research Centers (CNES, inria, Telecom Paris). Amira contributed as a Principal Engineer in the field of applied error correcting coding in wireless communication & standards, post quantum security and optics within Nokia Bell Labs, Alcatel Lucent, Huawei, and Orange. She contributed to 3GPP RAN1 Release 15 effort for the selection and the design of error correcting codes of 5G NR, as earlier to the upper layer decoding design of DVB-SH standard and to the specification of Alcatel Lucent LTE Modem. She has contributed to research projects and publications in collaboration with Professors at global top ranked universities and research centers in Europe, North America, India, China and the Middle East, and mentored post graduate students affiliated to these Institutions. The highest degree Amira holds is a PhD. degree Majoring in Information Theory from Institute Mines Telecom/Telecom Paris. Her PhD and Post-Doctoral research were granted by Orange Labs, CNES and Bell Labs.
Amira’s work at Qualcomm is at the leading edge of 5G Advanced and 6G research, including the setup of the 5G/6G innovation platform project in Lannion France, as integrating the Qualcomm global R&D engagements on XR, IOT, Automotive, Private Networks and NTN trials into the 6G European Research. Her professional tenure spans over 15 years in industrial R&D for International Telecom Industries (Infra & Device Vendors, Operators, Chipset Vendors) and European Research Centers (CNES, inria, Telecom Paris). Amira contributed as a Principal Engineer in the field of applied error correcting coding in wireless communication & standards, post quantum security and optics within Nokia Bell Labs, Alcatel Lucent, Huawei, and Orange. She contributed to 3GPP RAN1 Release 15 effort for the selection and the design of error correcting codes of 5G NR, as earlier to the upper layer decoding design of DVB-SH standard and to the specification of Alcatel Lucent LTE Modem. She has contributed to research projects and publications in collaboration with Professors at global top ranked universities and research centers in Europe, North America, India, China and the Middle East, and mentored post graduate students affiliated to these Institutions. The highest degree Amira holds is a PhD. degree Majoring in Information Theory from Institute Mines Telecom/Telecom Paris. Her PhD and Post-Doctoral research were granted by Orange Labs, CNES and Bell Labs.
Mohamed-Slim Alouini, was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He earned his Ph.D. from the California Institute ofTechnology(Caltech) in 1998 before serving as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and later at Texas A&M University at Qatar. In 2009, he became a founding faculty member at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where he currently is the Al-Khawarizmi Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the holder of the UNESCO Chair on Education to Connect the Unconnected. Dr. Alouini is a Fellow of the IEEE and OPTICA and his research interests encompass a wide array of research topics in wireless and satellite communications. He is currently particularly focusing on addressing the technical challenges associated with information and communication technologies (ICT) in underserved regions and is committed to bridging the digital divide by tackling issues related to the uneven distribution, access to, and utilization of ICT in rural, low-income, disaster-prone, and hard-to-reach areas.
Mohamed-Slim Alouini, was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He earned his Ph.D. from the California Institute ofTechnology(Caltech) in 1998 before serving as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and later at Texas A&M University at Qatar. In 2009, he became a founding faculty member at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where he currently is the Al-Khawarizmi Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the holder of the UNESCO Chair on Education to Connect the Unconnected. Dr. Alouini is a Fellow of the IEEE and OPTICA and his research interests encompass a wide array of research topics in wireless and satellite communications. He is currently particularly focusing on addressing the technical challenges associated with information and communication technologies (ICT) in underserved regions and is committed to bridging the digital divide by tackling issues related to the uneven distribution, access to, and utilization of ICT in rural, low-income, disaster-prone, and hard-to-reach areas.
Dr Hessa Alquwaiee is an accomplished telecommunications professional. She graduated from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2016 with a PhD in electrical engineering, specializing in wireless communications. She began her career at Huawei as a senior core engineer with a telecom operator, where she cultivated her technical expertise. She later joined Princess Nourah University (PNU) to help establishing the engineering college, contributing to educational growth in the field. In 2019, Hessa moved to Ericsson, where she initially managed the innovation hub to advance and work on 5G use cases. Her responsibilities then expanded to overseeing service delivery for Business Support Systems and acting as head of cloud, software, and services for both Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Currently, she leads the end-to-end service delivery for stc's network, bringing her comprehensive experience to advance the kingdom's telecommunications infrastructure.
Dr Hessa Alquwaiee is an accomplished telecommunications professional. She graduated from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2016 with a PhD in electrical engineering, specializing in wireless communications. She began her career at Huawei as a senior core engineer with a telecom operator, where she cultivated her technical expertise. She later joined Princess Nourah University (PNU) to help establishing the engineering college, contributing to educational growth in the field. In 2019, Hessa moved to Ericsson, where she initially managed the innovation hub to advance and work on 5G use cases. Her responsibilities then expanded to overseeing service delivery for Business Support Systems and acting as head of cloud, software, and services for both Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Currently, she leads the end-to-end service delivery for stc's network, bringing her comprehensive experience to advance the kingdom's telecommunications infrastructure.
Islam Ashry received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt, in 2003 and 2007, respectively, and his Ph.D. degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA, USA, in 2012. He is currently a Senior Research Scientist with the Photonics Laboratory at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. His research interests include optical sensors, fiber optics, optical networks, and optical communications. Dr. Ashry has authored or co-authored over 80 refereed journal articles, conference proceedings, and patents, including eight granted patents (seven licensed). He is the Co-Founder of AK-Sens Limited, which commercializes the world’s first fiber-optic hybrid distributed acoustic and temperature sensor for the agricultural and oil-gas industries. Dr. Ashry is a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), IEEE, and the IEEE Photonics Society.
Islam Ashry received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt, in 2003 and 2007, respectively, and his Ph.D. degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA, USA, in 2012. He is currently a Senior Research Scientist with the Photonics Laboratory at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. His research interests include optical sensors, fiber optics, optical networks, and optical communications. Dr. Ashry has authored or co-authored over 80 refereed journal articles, conference proceedings, and patents, including eight granted patents (seven licensed). He is the Co-Founder of AK-Sens Limited, which commercializes the world’s first fiber-optic hybrid distributed acoustic and temperature sensor for the agricultural and oil-gas industries. Dr. Ashry is a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), IEEE, and the IEEE Photonics Society.
Hussein Attia received a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada, in 2011. He worked as a Research Engineer with the Coding and Signal Transmission Laboratory at the University of Waterloo from March 2011 to July 2013. He was granted a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada, from August 2014 to July 2015. He is currently an Associate Professor and the Director of the Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). He is currently Associate Editor in IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters and IEEE Sensors Journal. He published about 110 journal and conference papers. His research interests include biomedical engineering, microwave sensors, millimeter-wave antennas, analytical techniques for electromagnetic modeling, and metamaterials. Dr. Attia received several awards, including a full PhD scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education, Egypt, during 2007- 2011, the University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship for excellence in research and coursework in 2009, and a certificate in University Teaching from the University of Waterloo in 2010. He was a finalist in the Best Paper Competition of the 2011 IEEE AP-S International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation.
Hussein Attia received a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada, in 2011. He worked as a Research Engineer with the Coding and Signal Transmission Laboratory at the University of Waterloo from March 2011 to July 2013. He was granted a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada, from August 2014 to July 2015. He is currently an Associate Professor and the Director of the Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). He is currently Associate Editor in IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters and IEEE Sensors Journal. He published about 110 journal and conference papers. His research interests include biomedical engineering, microwave sensors, millimeter-wave antennas, analytical techniques for electromagnetic modeling, and metamaterials. Dr. Attia received several awards, including a full PhD scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education, Egypt, during 2007- 2011, the University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship for excellence in research and coursework in 2009, and a certificate in University Teaching from the University of Waterloo in 2010. He was a finalist in the Best Paper Competition of the 2011 IEEE AP-S International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation.
Sir Edward Byrne AC is the fourth President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). He joined KAUST as its president on Sept. 1, 2024, after serving as President and Principal of King’s College London from August 2014 to January 2021. Previously, he was President and Vice Chancellor of Monash University in Australia.
Byrne’s distinguished career as a researcher and clinician began in 1978 in Adelaide, South Australia, when he was a neurology registrar. After undertaking a clinical neurology research fellowship in London in 1979, he returned to Australia in 1983 as Director of Neurology at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. Ten years later, he became the Founding Director of the Melbourne Neuromuscular Research Unit and the Centre for Neuroscience.
Recognized for his contributions to mitochondrial disease research, Byrne was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2006. He served as Dean of Monash University, then as Vice Provost of University College London, before returning to Monash as Vice Chancellor in 2009. There, he restructured the university to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and global research output, leading to the establishment of the Monash campus in Suzhou, China.
In 2014, Byrne served as a guest professor at Peking University Health Science Center, becoming an honorary citizen of Jiangsu Province. That same year, he was recognized as a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to tertiary education. He was also appointed President and Principal of King’s College London.
From 2019 to 2021, he was Chair of Council for the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Byrne served as Global Chief Medical Advisor for the Ramsay Health Care Group from 2021 to 2024.
Byrne holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Queensland, a Clinical Science Diploma from the University of Adelaide, and a Doctor of Science from the University of Melbourne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London and Edinburgh, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Association of Neurology.
He has received numerous honorary degrees and accolades, including the Queens Square Prize for Neurological Research from the UCL Institute of Neurology. From 2021 to 2024, Byrne served as Distinguished Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the Australian National University (ANU). He is Emeritus Professor of Neurology, King’s College London, and Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Monash University.
Sir Edward Byrne AC is the fourth President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). He joined KAUST as its president on Sept. 1, 2024, after serving as President and Principal of King’s College London from August 2014 to January 2021. Previously, he was President and Vice Chancellor of Monash University in Australia.
Byrne’s distinguished career as a researcher and clinician began in 1978 in Adelaide, South Australia, when he was a neurology registrar. After undertaking a clinical neurology research fellowship in London in 1979, he returned to Australia in 1983 as Director of Neurology at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. Ten years later, he became the Founding Director of the Melbourne Neuromuscular Research Unit and the Centre for Neuroscience.
Recognized for his contributions to mitochondrial disease research, Byrne was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2006. He served as Dean of Monash University, then as Vice Provost of University College London, before returning to Monash as Vice Chancellor in 2009. There, he restructured the university to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and global research output, leading to the establishment of the Monash campus in Suzhou, China.
In 2014, Byrne served as a guest professor at Peking University Health Science Center, becoming an honorary citizen of Jiangsu Province. That same year, he was recognized as a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to tertiary education. He was also appointed President and Principal of King’s College London.
From 2019 to 2021, he was Chair of Council for the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). Byrne served as Global Chief Medical Advisor for the Ramsay Health Care Group from 2021 to 2024.
Byrne holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Queensland, a Clinical Science Diploma from the University of Adelaide, and a Doctor of Science from the University of Melbourne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Royal Colleges of Physicians of London and Edinburgh, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Association of Neurology.
He has received numerous honorary degrees and accolades, including the Queens Square Prize for Neurological Research from the UCL Institute of Neurology. From 2021 to 2024, Byrne served as Distinguished Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the Australian National University (ANU). He is Emeritus Professor of Neurology, King’s College London, and Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Monash University.
Cicek Cavdar is an Associate Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, where she leads the “Intelligent Network Systems” research group and serves as vice-head of the Communication Systems Division. She has played a pivotal role in numerous European projects, particularly in aerospace communications and sustainable network technologies. Since 2013, Cicek has led several EU projects focused on sustainability and green communications, including "5GrEEn," SooGREEN, and AI4Green. Notably, AI4Green received the Eureka Innovations Award and the Celtic Excellence Award in 2024. In aerospace communications, she has coordinated industry-university collaborative projects since 2016, such as "ICARO-EU" and "6G-SKY." Her research interests include the integration of non-terrestrial and terrestrial networks, edge/cloud computing, ultra-reliable low latency wireless communications, sustainability, and AI-assisted green network management.
Cicek Cavdar is an Associate Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, where she leads the “Intelligent Network Systems” research group and serves as vice-head of the Communication Systems Division. She has played a pivotal role in numerous European projects, particularly in aerospace communications and sustainable network technologies. Since 2013, Cicek has led several EU projects focused on sustainability and green communications, including "5GrEEn," SooGREEN, and AI4Green. Notably, AI4Green received the Eureka Innovations Award and the Celtic Excellence Award in 2024. In aerospace communications, she has coordinated industry-university collaborative projects since 2016, such as "ICARO-EU" and "6G-SKY." Her research interests include the integration of non-terrestrial and terrestrial networks, edge/cloud computing, ultra-reliable low latency wireless communications, sustainability, and AI-assisted green network management.
Prof. Daniel B. da Costa received the B.Sc. degree in Telecommunications from the Military Institute of Engineering (IME), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2003, and the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering, Area: Telecommunications, from the University of Campinas, SP, Brazil, in 2006 and 2008, respectively. His Ph.D. thesis was awarded the Best Ph.D. Thesis in Electrical Engineering by the Brazilian Ministry of Education (CAPES) at the 2009 CAPES Thesis Contest. Prof. Daniel B. da Costa is currently Distinguished University Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum $\&$ Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, and Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Communications Letters. He has been recognized as World’s Top 2% Scientist by Stanford University (2021, 2022, 2023) and has been ranked among 1% Top Scientists in the world in the broad field of Electronics and Electrical Engineering in 2022 and 2023. He is also a Distinguished Speaker of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society.
Prof. Daniel B. da Costa received the B.Sc. degree in Telecommunications from the Military Institute of Engineering (IME), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2003, and the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering, Area: Telecommunications, from the University of Campinas, SP, Brazil, in 2006 and 2008, respectively. His Ph.D. thesis was awarded the Best Ph.D. Thesis in Electrical Engineering by the Brazilian Ministry of Education (CAPES) at the 2009 CAPES Thesis Contest. Prof. Daniel B. da Costa is currently Distinguished University Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum $\&$ Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, and Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Communications Letters. He has been recognized as World’s Top 2% Scientist by Stanford University (2021, 2022, 2023) and has been ranked among 1% Top Scientists in the world in the broad field of Electronics and Electrical Engineering in 2022 and 2023. He is also a Distinguished Speaker of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society.
Prof. Daniel B. da Costa received the B.Sc. degree in Telecommunications from the Military Institute of Engineering (IME), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2003, and the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering, Area: Telecommunications, from the University of Campinas, SP, Brazil, in 2006 and 2008, respectively. His Ph.D. thesis was awarded the Best Ph.D. Thesis in Electrical Engineering by the Brazilian Ministry of Education (CAPES) at the 2009 CAPES Thesis Contest. Prof. Daniel B. da Costa is currently Distinguished University Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum $\&$ Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, and Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Communications Letters. He has been recognized as World’s Top 2% Scientist by Stanford University (2021, 2022, 2023) and has been ranked among 1% Top Scientists in the world in the broad field of Electronics and Electrical Engineering in 2022 and 2023. He is also a Distinguished Speaker of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society.
Prof. Daniel B. da Costa received the B.Sc. degree in Telecommunications from the Military Institute of Engineering (IME), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2003, and the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering, Area: Telecommunications, from the University of Campinas, SP, Brazil, in 2006 and 2008, respectively. His Ph.D. thesis was awarded the Best Ph.D. Thesis in Electrical Engineering by the Brazilian Ministry of Education (CAPES) at the 2009 CAPES Thesis Contest. Prof. Daniel B. da Costa is currently Distinguished University Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum $\&$ Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia, and Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Communications Letters. He has been recognized as World’s Top 2% Scientist by Stanford University (2021, 2022, 2023) and has been ranked among 1% Top Scientists in the world in the broad field of Electronics and Electrical Engineering in 2022 and 2023. He is also a Distinguished Speaker of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society.
Mérouane Debbah is a researcher, educator and technology entrepreneur. Over his career, he has founded several public and industrial research centers, start-ups and is now Professor at Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi and founding Director of the KU 6G Research Center. He is a frequent keynote speaker at international events in the field of telecommunication and AI. His research has been lying at the interface of fundamental mathematics, algorithms, statistics, information and communication sciences with a special focus on random matrix theory and learning algorithms. In the Communication field, he has been at the heart of the development of small cells (4G), Massive MIMO (5G) and Large Intelligent Surfaces (6G) technologies. In the AI field, he is known for his work on Large Language Models, distributed AI systems for networks and semantic communications. He received multiple prestigious distinctions, prizes and best paper awards (more than 40 IEEE best paper awards) for his contributions to both fields and according to research.com is ranked as the best scientist in France in the field of Electronics and Electrical Engineering. He is an IEEE Fellow, a WWRF Fellow, a Eurasip Fellow, an AAIA Fellow, an Institut Louis Bachelier Fellow, an AIIA Fellow and a Membre émérite SEE. His recent work led to the development of NOOR (upon it release, largest language model in Arabic) released in 2022, Falcon LLM (upon its release, top ranked open source large language model) released in 2023 and the Falcon Foundation in 2024. The Falcon Model Series and The Falcon Foundation have positioned the UAE as a global leader in the generative AI field. He is a member of the Marconi Prize Selection Advisory Committee.
Mérouane Debbah is a researcher, educator and technology entrepreneur. Over his career, he has founded several public and industrial research centers, start-ups and is now Professor at Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi and founding Director of the KU 6G Research Center. He is a frequent keynote speaker at international events in the field of telecommunication and AI. His research has been lying at the interface of fundamental mathematics, algorithms, statistics, information and communication sciences with a special focus on random matrix theory and learning algorithms. In the Communication field, he has been at the heart of the development of small cells (4G), Massive MIMO (5G) and Large Intelligent Surfaces (6G) technologies. In the AI field, he is known for his work on Large Language Models, distributed AI systems for networks and semantic communications. He received multiple prestigious distinctions, prizes and best paper awards (more than 40 IEEE best paper awards) for his contributions to both fields and according to research.com is ranked as the best scientist in France in the field of Electronics and Electrical Engineering. He is an IEEE Fellow, a WWRF Fellow, a Eurasip Fellow, an AAIA Fellow, an Institut Louis Bachelier Fellow, an AIIA Fellow and a Membre émérite SEE. His recent work led to the development of NOOR (upon it release, largest language model in Arabic) released in 2022, Falcon LLM (upon its release, top ranked open source large language model) released in 2023 and the Falcon Foundation in 2024. The Falcon Model Series and The Falcon Foundation have positioned the UAE as a global leader in the generative AI field. He is a member of the Marconi Prize Selection Advisory Committee.
Prof. Dr. Roberto Di Pietro is a Full Professor of Computer Science at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. His professional career began in 1995 as a military senior technical officer in the Italian MoD.
A few years later, he transitioned to academia, holding tenured professorships at the University of Roma Tre and the University of Padova, and later at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, where he led the Cybersecurity Research and Innovation Laboratory.
In the private sector, Dr. Di Pietro was the Global Head of Cybersecurity Research at Bell Labs (Alcatel-Lucent/Nokia), leading multiple international research departments. Before joining Bell Labs, he provided strategic consultancy services
to the private sector and International organizations, such as the United Nations and the European Union. He also established a start-up (exited) and currently sits on both scientific and industrial boards.
His research topics are (among others) Critical Infrastructure Protection, Blockchain technology and Cryptocurrencies, and Distributed Systems Security.
He was awarded the 2020 Jean-Claude Laprie Award for having significantly influenced the theory and practice of Dependable Computing and
has been elevated to ACM Distinguished Scientist and IEEE Fellow for contributions to the security of distributed systems. He is also a foreign Member of Academia Europaea.
His educational background includes two MS degrees in CS and informatics, respectively, from University of Pisa; a two year post-MS specialization diploma in Operations Research and Strategic Decisions
and a PhD in Computer Science---both from the University of Roma "La Sapienza".
Prof. Dr. Roberto Di Pietro is a Full Professor of Computer Science at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. His professional career began in 1995 as a military senior technical officer in the Italian MoD.
A few years later, he transitioned to academia, holding tenured professorships at the University of Roma Tre and the University of Padova, and later at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar, where he led the Cybersecurity Research and Innovation Laboratory.
In the private sector, Dr. Di Pietro was the Global Head of Cybersecurity Research at Bell Labs (Alcatel-Lucent/Nokia), leading multiple international research departments. Before joining Bell Labs, he provided strategic consultancy services
to the private sector and International organizations, such as the United Nations and the European Union. He also established a start-up (exited) and currently sits on both scientific and industrial boards.
His research topics are (among others) Critical Infrastructure Protection, Blockchain technology and Cryptocurrencies, and Distributed Systems Security.
He was awarded the 2020 Jean-Claude Laprie Award for having significantly influenced the theory and practice of Dependable Computing and
has been elevated to ACM Distinguished Scientist and IEEE Fellow for contributions to the security of distributed systems. He is also a foreign Member of Academia Europaea.
His educational background includes two MS degrees in CS and informatics, respectively, from University of Pisa; a two year post-MS specialization diploma in Operations Research and Strategic Decisions
and a PhD in Computer Science---both from the University of Roma "La Sapienza".
Dr. Serkan Dursun leads the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence CoP at Saudi Aramco. Previously, he held key roles at Marathon Oil Corporation, Schlumberger, and Halliburton. He also served as Adjunct Professor at KFUPM and University of Houston. Dr. Dursun has numerous publications in IEEE & SPE, holds 10+ US patents. His interests span Ethical & Responsible AI, Generative AI, and Quantum Machine Learning. He actively contributes to SPE technical sections and conferences. He received prestigious SPE ME&NA Region Data Science and Engineering Analytics Award in 2023. Dr. Dursun holds PhD, MS, and BS degrees in Electrical Engineering.
Dr. Serkan Dursun leads the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence CoP at Saudi Aramco. Previously, he held key roles at Marathon Oil Corporation, Schlumberger, and Halliburton. He also served as Adjunct Professor at KFUPM and University of Houston. Dr. Dursun has numerous publications in IEEE & SPE, holds 10+ US patents. His interests span Ethical & Responsible AI, Generative AI, and Quantum Machine Learning. He actively contributes to SPE technical sections and conferences. He received prestigious SPE ME&NA Region Data Science and Engineering Analytics Award in 2023. Dr. Dursun holds PhD, MS, and BS degrees in Electrical Engineering.
Ahmed M. Eltawil is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE) Division at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Previously, he was a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) from 2005 to 2021. Professor Eltawil earned his doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2003 and his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Cairo University in 1999 and 1997, respectively. At KAUST, he established the Communication and Computing Systems Laboratory (CCSL) to conduct research on efficient architectures for computing and communications systems, with a particular focus on mobile wireless systems. His research interests encompass various application domains, such as low-power mobile systems, machine learning platforms, sensor networks, body area networks, and critical infrastructure networks. He serves as a distinguished lecturer for IEEE COMSOC during the 2023/24 term. Additionally, he holds senior membership in both the IEEE and the National Academy of Inventors in the United States. He received several recognitions and awards, including the US National Science Foundation CAREER award, the 2021 "Innovator of the Year" award by the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, and two United States Congress certificates of merit, among others. He has served in numerous editorial roles over the years, as well as an expert reviewer for national and international funding agencies.
Ahmed M. Eltawil is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE) Division at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Previously, he was a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) from 2005 to 2021. Professor Eltawil earned his doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2003 and his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Cairo University in 1999 and 1997, respectively. At KAUST, he established the Communication and Computing Systems Laboratory (CCSL) to conduct research on efficient architectures for computing and communications systems, with a particular focus on mobile wireless systems. His research interests encompass various application domains, such as low-power mobile systems, machine learning platforms, sensor networks, body area networks, and critical infrastructure networks. He serves as a distinguished lecturer for IEEE COMSOC during the 2023/24 term. Additionally, he holds senior membership in both the IEEE and the National Academy of Inventors in the United States. He received several recognitions and awards, including the US National Science Foundation CAREER award, the 2021 "Innovator of the Year" award by the Henry Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, and two United States Congress certificates of merit, among others. He has served in numerous editorial roles over the years, as well as an expert reviewer for national and international funding agencies.
Christophe Fumeaux received his Ph.D. degree from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, in 1997. From 1998 to 2008, he held various positions at the University of Central Florida, the Swiss Federal Office of Metrology, and ETH Zurich. From 2008 to 2023, he was a Professor with The University of Adelaide. In 2023, he joined the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Queensland, as Chair Professor in Optical and Microwave Engineering. His main research interests concern applied electromagnetics, antenna engineering, and the application of RF design principles across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Prof. Fumeaux was the recipient of the ETH Medal for his doctoral dissertation. He was the recipient of the 2018 Edward E. Altshuler Prize, the 2014 IEEE Sensors Journal and the 2004 ACES Journal best paper awards. He was the recipient of the University of Adelaide 2018 Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence in PhD Supervision. From 2017 to early 2023, he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters. He is the 2024 President-Elect of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society. He is a Fellow of the IEEE.
Christophe Fumeaux received his Ph.D. degree from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, in 1997. From 1998 to 2008, he held various positions at the University of Central Florida, the Swiss Federal Office of Metrology, and ETH Zurich. From 2008 to 2023, he was a Professor with The University of Adelaide. In 2023, he joined the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Queensland, as Chair Professor in Optical and Microwave Engineering. His main research interests concern applied electromagnetics, antenna engineering, and the application of RF design principles across the electromagnetic spectrum.
Prof. Fumeaux was the recipient of the ETH Medal for his doctoral dissertation. He was the recipient of the 2018 Edward E. Altshuler Prize, the 2014 IEEE Sensors Journal and the 2004 ACES Journal best paper awards. He was the recipient of the University of Adelaide 2018 Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence in PhD Supervision. From 2017 to early 2023, he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters. He is the 2024 President-Elect of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society. He is a Fellow of the IEEE.
Ali Khayrallah is senior technical advisor with the Advanced Technology Group at Ericsson in Santa Clara, CA. He has been with Ericsson in various research positions, in Santa Clara, CA, where he led a team shaping future wireless technology, and earlier in Research Triangle Park, NC. His current focus is on 6G in the US, and partnering with government, academia and industry to energize research towards 6G and beyond. His external activities include NSF partnerships on wireless and semiconductor research, ATIS Next G Alliance, FCC TAC, and 5G Americas. He has contributed to the development of 5G, 4G, 3G, Bluetooth, mobile satellite, land mobile radio etc. Previously, he was on the faculty of the University of Delaware. He received a Ph.D. and an M.S. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a B.Eng. from the American University of Beirut. He holds 120+ patents and received the Ericsson inventor of the year award.
Ali Khayrallah is senior technical advisor with the Advanced Technology Group at Ericsson in Santa Clara, CA. He has been with Ericsson in various research positions, in Santa Clara, CA, where he led a team shaping future wireless technology, and earlier in Research Triangle Park, NC. His current focus is on 6G in the US, and partnering with government, academia and industry to energize research towards 6G and beyond. His external activities include NSF partnerships on wireless and semiconductor research, ATIS Next G Alliance, FCC TAC, and 5G Americas. He has contributed to the development of 5G, 4G, 3G, Bluetooth, mobile satellite, land mobile radio etc. Previously, he was on the faculty of the University of Delaware. He received a Ph.D. and an M.S. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a B.Eng. from the American University of Beirut. He holds 120+ patents and received the Ericsson inventor of the year award.
Nour Kouzayha received the B.Sc. (with high distinction) and M.E. degrees in communications and computer engineering from the Lebanese University, Lebanon, in 2013 and the Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering from the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon, in 2018. She is currently a Research Scientist with the Information Science Laboratory (ISL) at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Her current research interests are in the broad area of wireless communications and networking, with a special focus on 5G/6G networks, the Internet of Things, THz communications, and non-terrestrial networks. She is a member of IEEE and was recognized as an Exemplary Reviewer by IEEE Communications Letters in 2021 and 2023.
Nour Kouzayha received the B.Sc. (with high distinction) and M.E. degrees in communications and computer engineering from the Lebanese University, Lebanon, in 2013 and the Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering from the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon, in 2018. She is currently a Research Scientist with the Information Science Laboratory (ISL) at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Her current research interests are in the broad area of wireless communications and networking, with a special focus on 5G/6G networks, the Internet of Things, THz communications, and non-terrestrial networks. She is a member of IEEE and was recognized as an Exemplary Reviewer by IEEE Communications Letters in 2021 and 2023.
Sue Moon received her B.S. and M.S. from Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, in 1988 and 1990, respectively, all in computer engineering. She received Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Massachusetts at
Amherst in 2000. From 1999 to 2003, she worked in the IPMON project at Sprint ATL in Burlingame, California. In August of 2003, she joined KAIST and
now teaches in Daejeon, Korea. Her research interests lie in high speed
networking. She has served in numerous technical committees of prestigious conferences and served as chairs for WWW 2013 and ACM CoNEXT 2017, just to name a few. She was named a N2Women Star in Computer Networking and Communications by IEEE ComSoc in 2021. Her Best Paper of ACM IMC 2007 won the Test of Time Award in 2022. In 2021 she served as a deliberative member in the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology in 2021 and currently sits on the board for KB Kookmin Bank.
Sue Moon received her B.S. and M.S. from Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, in 1988 and 1990, respectively, all in computer engineering. She received Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Massachusetts at
Amherst in 2000. From 1999 to 2003, she worked in the IPMON project at Sprint ATL in Burlingame, California. In August of 2003, she joined KAIST and
now teaches in Daejeon, Korea. Her research interests lie in high speed
networking. She has served in numerous technical committees of prestigious conferences and served as chairs for WWW 2013 and ACM CoNEXT 2017, just to name a few. She was named a N2Women Star in Computer Networking and Communications by IEEE ComSoc in 2021. Her Best Paper of ACM IMC 2007 won the Test of Time Award in 2022. In 2021 she served as a deliberative member in the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology in 2021 and currently sits on the board for KB Kookmin Bank.
is a principal research scientist and a laboratory-operation manager of the Photonics Laboratory at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. He co-established the Photonics Laboratory (2009-) and KACST Technology Innovation Center on Solid-State Lighting at KAUST (2013-2021), and currently focuses on molecular beam epitaxy grown group-III-oxides photonics/electronics and quantum-devices for optical communication and clean energy applications. He was a research fellow and a member of technical staff at Nanyang Technological University and Tinggi Technologies (Singapore), respectively, developing group-III arsenide, phosphide, antimonide and nitride semiconductor nanostructures and optoelectronic devices. He was an associate editor of Wiley’s digital Encyclopedia of Applied Physics (July 2018–June 2023).
is a principal research scientist and a laboratory-operation manager of the Photonics Laboratory at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia. He co-established the Photonics Laboratory (2009-) and KACST Technology Innovation Center on Solid-State Lighting at KAUST (2013-2021), and currently focuses on molecular beam epitaxy grown group-III-oxides photonics/electronics and quantum-devices for optical communication and clean energy applications. He was a research fellow and a member of technical staff at Nanyang Technological University and Tinggi Technologies (Singapore), respectively, developing group-III arsenide, phosphide, antimonide and nitride semiconductor nanostructures and optoelectronic devices. He was an associate editor of Wiley’s digital Encyclopedia of Applied Physics (July 2018–June 2023).
Sima Noghanian is a Distinguished Hardware Engineer at CommScope Ruckus Networks and an Antenna/RF consultant with Neuspera Medical Inc. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba in 2001, followed by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, which she completed at the University of Waterloo. From 2002 to 2018, Dr. Noghanian held faculty positions in Electrical Engineering at Sharif University of Technology, Iran, the University of Manitoba, Canada, and the University of North Dakota, USA, where she also served as the Chair of the Electrical Engineering Department (2014–2016). She worked with PADT Inc. and Wafer LLC between 2019 and 2021. Dr. Noghanian is a senior member of IEEE, a fellow of the Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society (ACES), and a senior member of URSI Commissions B and K. Currently, Dr. Noghanian is an Associate Editor for multiple prestigious journals, including IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation, and IET Microwave, Antennas and Propagation. She serves as a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (2024–2026), an elected member of the IEEE AP-S AdCom (2023–2025), and the Chair of the Technical Committee of IEEE Antennas Measurement. She is the chair of USNC URSI Commission K. Her research focuses on microwave imaging, MIMO antennas, wearable and implanted antennas, and wireless power transfer. She has authored or co-authored over 250 publications.
Sima Noghanian is a Distinguished Hardware Engineer at CommScope Ruckus Networks and an Antenna/RF consultant with Neuspera Medical Inc. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba in 2001, followed by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, which she completed at the University of Waterloo. From 2002 to 2018, Dr. Noghanian held faculty positions in Electrical Engineering at Sharif University of Technology, Iran, the University of Manitoba, Canada, and the University of North Dakota, USA, where she also served as the Chair of the Electrical Engineering Department (2014–2016). She worked with PADT Inc. and Wafer LLC between 2019 and 2021. Dr. Noghanian is a senior member of IEEE, a fellow of the Applied Computational Electromagnetics Society (ACES), and a senior member of URSI Commissions B and K. Currently, Dr. Noghanian is an Associate Editor for multiple prestigious journals, including IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, IEEE Open Journal of Antennas and Propagation, and IET Microwave, Antennas and Propagation. She serves as a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (2024–2026), an elected member of the IEEE AP-S AdCom (2023–2025), and the Chair of the Technical Committee of IEEE Antennas Measurement. She is the chair of USNC URSI Commission K. Her research focuses on microwave imaging, MIMO antennas, wearable and implanted antennas, and wireless power transfer. She has authored or co-authored over 250 publications.
Dr. Aboelmagd Noureldin is a Professor and Canada Research Chair (CRC) at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), with Cross-Appointment at both the School of Computing and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Queen’s University. He is also the founding director of the Navigation and Instrumentation (NavINST) research group at RMC, a unique world-class research facility in GNSS, wireless positioning, inertial navigation, remote sensing and multisensory fusion for navigation and guidance. Dr. Noureldin holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (2002) from The University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In addition, he has a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (1993) and an M.Sc. degree in Engineering Physics (1997), both from Cairo University, Egypt. Dr. Noureldin is a Senior member of the IEEE and a professional member of the Institute of Navigation (ION). He published two books, four book chapters, and numerous papers in academic journals, conferences, and workshop proceedings, for which he received several awards. Dr. Noureddin’s research led to 13 patents and several technologies licensed to industry in position, location and navigation systems.
Dr. Aboelmagd Noureldin is a Professor and Canada Research Chair (CRC) at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), with Cross-Appointment at both the School of Computing and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Queen’s University. He is also the founding director of the Navigation and Instrumentation (NavINST) research group at RMC, a unique world-class research facility in GNSS, wireless positioning, inertial navigation, remote sensing and multisensory fusion for navigation and guidance. Dr. Noureldin holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering (2002) from The University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In addition, he has a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (1993) and an M.Sc. degree in Engineering Physics (1997), both from Cairo University, Egypt. Dr. Noureldin is a Senior member of the IEEE and a professional member of the Institute of Navigation (ION). He published two books, four book chapters, and numerous papers in academic journals, conferences, and workshop proceedings, for which he received several awards. Dr. Noureddin’s research led to 13 patents and several technologies licensed to industry in position, location and navigation systems.
Pawani Porambage is a Senior Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and an Adjunct Professor at University of Oulu, Finland. She was a researcher at the Centre for Wireless Communications, University of Oulu (2012-2022), where she also obtained her doctorate in communication engineering in 2018. She has co-authored over 100 publications and one book on 6G security and privacy. She has involved in few Finnish national research projects and EU funded research projects such as Inpire-5Gplus, Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II. Her main research interests are 5G/6G network security, security-QoS optimization, and O-RAN security.
Pawani Porambage is a Senior Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and an Adjunct Professor at University of Oulu, Finland. She was a researcher at the Centre for Wireless Communications, University of Oulu (2012-2022), where she also obtained her doctorate in communication engineering in 2018. She has co-authored over 100 publications and one book on 6G security and privacy. She has involved in few Finnish national research projects and EU funded research projects such as Inpire-5Gplus, Hexa-X and Hexa-X-II. Her main research interests are 5G/6G network security, security-QoS optimization, and O-RAN security.
Professor Setti received his Ph.D. ('97) in Electronic Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Bologna, Italy. From 1997 to 2017, he was an Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor of Circuit Theory and Analog Electronics at the University of Ferrara, Italy.
He joins KAUST from his previous role as Professor of Electronics for Signal and Data Processing at Politecnico di Torino’s Department of Electronics and Telecommunications (DET).
Professor Gianluca's research interests include nonlinear circuits, statistical signal processing, electromagnetic compatibility, compressive sensing, biomedical circuits and systems, power electronics, design and implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, and machine learning techniques for anomaly detection and predictive maintenance.
Dr. Setti received the 1998 Caianiello prize for the best Italian Ph.D. thesis on Neural Networks. He is also the recipient of the 2013 IEEE Circuits and Systems Society (CASS) Meritorious Service Award and has been an IEEE CASS Distinguished Lecturer in 2004-2005 and 2015-2016.
In addition to publishing circa 320 scientific articles in journals, conference proceedings, and four books, he has received best paper awards in three different IEEE Transactions and six best paper awards or nominations at major conferences, such as the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems and the Design, Automation and Test in Europe.
Professor Setti is the first non-US Editor-in-Chief of the Proceedings of the IEEE, the flagship journal of the Institute, a role he has held since 2019. Additionally, he served on IEEE's board of directors, where he addressed the impact of open access mandates on IEEE members.
Professor Setti received his Ph.D. ('97) in Electronic Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Bologna, Italy. From 1997 to 2017, he was an Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor of Circuit Theory and Analog Electronics at the University of Ferrara, Italy.
He joins KAUST from his previous role as Professor of Electronics for Signal and Data Processing at Politecnico di Torino’s Department of Electronics and Telecommunications (DET).
Professor Gianluca's research interests include nonlinear circuits, statistical signal processing, electromagnetic compatibility, compressive sensing, biomedical circuits and systems, power electronics, design and implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, and machine learning techniques for anomaly detection and predictive maintenance.
Dr. Setti received the 1998 Caianiello prize for the best Italian Ph.D. thesis on Neural Networks. He is also the recipient of the 2013 IEEE Circuits and Systems Society (CASS) Meritorious Service Award and has been an IEEE CASS Distinguished Lecturer in 2004-2005 and 2015-2016.
In addition to publishing circa 320 scientific articles in journals, conference proceedings, and four books, he has received best paper awards in three different IEEE Transactions and six best paper awards or nominations at major conferences, such as the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems and the Design, Automation and Test in Europe.
Professor Setti is the first non-US Editor-in-Chief of the Proceedings of the IEEE, the flagship journal of the Institute, a role he has held since 2019. Additionally, he served on IEEE's board of directors, where he addressed the impact of open access mandates on IEEE members.
Biplab Sikdar is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he also the Head of Department for the Department of Electrical and Computer Enginering. At NUS, he also directs the US$40 million corporate research lab with Cisco Systems. He received the B. Tech. degree in electronics and communication engineering from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India, in 1996, the M.Tech. degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India, in 1998, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA, in 2001. He is a recipient of the NSF CAREER award, the Tan Chin Tuan fellowship from NTU Singapore, the Japan Society for Promotion of Science fellowship, and the Leiv Eiriksson fellowship from the Research Council of Norway. He is a distinguished lecturer of IEEE and ACM and has served/serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Communications, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, and IEEE Internet of Things Journal.
Biplab Sikdar is a Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he also the Head of Department for the Department of Electrical and Computer Enginering. At NUS, he also directs the US$40 million corporate research lab with Cisco Systems. He received the B. Tech. degree in electronics and communication engineering from North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, India, in 1996, the M.Tech. degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India, in 1998, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA, in 2001. He is a recipient of the NSF CAREER award, the Tan Chin Tuan fellowship from NTU Singapore, the Japan Society for Promotion of Science fellowship, and the Leiv Eiriksson fellowship from the Research Council of Norway. He is a distinguished lecturer of IEEE and ACM and has served/serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Communications, IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, and IEEE Internet of Things Journal.
