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.

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

“The core research vision of DYGM is to develop advanced porous-flow modeling methods that integrate AI with physics.”

• Physics simulation
• Surrogate modeling
• Reservoir management
• Oil & Gas Production
• Geological Gas Storage
• Geothermal Resources

3) Max Frenzel (Assistant Professor) - Earth Systems Science and Engineering program

"Mineral resources underpin modern civilisation and their continued availability is essential for the success of the energy transition."

• Ore formation
• Economic geology
• Ore characterisation
• Mineral exploration
• Geometallurgy and mineral processing
• Resource modelling and estimation

4) Froukje M. van der Zwan (Associate Professor) - Earth Systems Science and Engineering program

“We live in one of the most amazing and beautiful geological places in the world, let’s explore, discover and understand its resources, hazards and geological story.”

• volcanoes
• hydrothermal activity
• critical mineral resources
• volcanic hazards
• geochemistry
• Arabian Plate
• Harrats
• Red Sea

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."