Sep 2026
Meet ESSE Faculty: Research Overview
Summary
Each ESSE faculty provides a ~10min overview of their activities. This presents an opportunity to learn more about and understand better the diverse, fascinating, and impactful research the PI and his/her associated research team are doing. The idea is to inspire students, postdocs, and researchers alike to explore further ideas, collaboration, and become part of a combined effort to enhance, enrich and edify KAUST on its mission for Saudi Arabia to meet its Vision 2030 goals - with special focus on the energy and subsurface sectors.
Presenters
On Sep 9th, the following faculty will present:
1) Thomas Finkbeiner (Research Professor) - RockGem group
“The energy industry is in a critical transition period right now, and I see academia playing a vital role in this process.”
- Rock and geo-mechanics
- Rock physics
- Subsurface applications for drilling, completion and production
- Geothermal developments
- CCUS
- Energy storage
2) Bicheng Yan (Assistant Professor) - DGYM group
“My lab is working on advanced modeling technology for enhancing the efficacy, sustainability and safety of fluid-flow operations for subsurface energy storage and recovery.”
3) Max Frenzel (Assistant Professor) - Earth Systems Science and Engineering program
“I study the geology, mineralogy, geochemistry and texture of base-metal ores and how they can be used to improve exploration success and mining operations. I am also interested in understanding global metal supply chains.”
4) Froukje M. van der Zwan (Associate Professor) - Earth Systems Science and Engineering program
“An interdisciplinary approach is key to study the Earth and understand geological processes and volcanic and hydrothermal systems in all their aspects."
5) Hussein Hoteit (Professor) - Advanced Reservoir Modeling & Simulation Group (ARMS)
"Decarbonization is an unavoidable challenge of the 21st century. My research aims to advance subsurface solutions that power a reliable energy future while protecting the environment."