PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering

Chemical & Biological Engineering is a discipline that integrates chemistry and biology at the molecular level and uses this broad foundation along with engineering fundamentals to study the synthesis of new processes and products. Our graduate program in Chemical and Biological Engineering is an interdisciplinary program that combines chemical engineering fundamentals and systems biology to meet the research challenges of the future.The research areas of interest are:

Drug Discovery Tissue Engineering Plant Biotechnology Protein-Protein Interactions Protein Folding Process Dynamics, Control, and Optimization Systems Engineering Catalysis Supercritical Fluids Synthesis of Nanostructured Materials Fuel Cells and Sustainable Development Computational Fluid Dynamics Polymer Science and Engineering Microfluidics Biological Clock Interaction Networks and Pathways Modeling of metal-organic frameworks for energy applications Molecular simulations of crystalline nanoporous membranes for gas separations Computational studies of adsorption and diffusion in porous materials Supercritical fluids and ionic liquids ... [-]

ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Marine Science (MarS) Program takes advantage of KAUST’s location on the Red Sea, a living laboratory with great potential for exciting science. The program addresses the biology and ecology of the multitude of marine life forms. There is an intentional focus on the local Red Sea system, both as a primary study system and as a system with which general concepts from other marine systems can be compared. The goal of the Marine Science Program is to develop an integrated understanding of the Red Sea’s ecosystem as well as marine ecosystems in general, including fundamental biology at the molecular and genomic levels, symbiosis with algae and prokaryotes (Bacteria and Archaea), associated communities of fish and corals and the physical and chemical environment that impacts and shapes them. This understanding could have an impact on global carbon cycling, endangered species and how we manage the harvesting of resources from the Oceans. Ph.D. DEGREE ... [-]

This research-driven program aims to further develop your current research skills in one of a number of key areas of biology.

Working with your supervisors, you will be exposed to the many aspects of research activities including critical analysis of literature, identifying an area of contribution, gathering information and communicating ideas through journal publications and conference presentations.

Tutorials will be conducted in an exclusive, one-to-one manner and supervisors will be on hand to support you throughout the duration of the program. Prior to enrolment, prospective candidates will have to consult Sunway’s qualified and experienced supervisors to ascertain the area of research.... [-]

Biology, biotechnology, and biosciences have been rapidly developing since 2000. To handle the data produced, computer technology is required due to the excessive amount of data. Most of the recent techniques used in DNA, RNA and protein-based research is supported by bioinformatics and computer science. The computer science offers a new era for the biological sciences. For example the building block of the cell, proteins are modeled in 3D using a computer; this enables the rapid and efficient identification of molecular interactions and signal transduction pathways. Similarly, mutations in the genetic sequence can be detected quite fast using the computer technology. Since the recent advancements in computational biology decreased the cost and accelerated the research processes including the drug development, the in silico studies are highly demanded in the industry.... [-]

Doctoral students do research at the Bioluminescent Biotechnology Laboratory under the supervision of Professor Valentina Kratasyuk. Their research focuses on studying the chemical nature of light emission by luminous bacteria and other luminous species, modeling the enzyme metabolism in cell hyaloplasm, developing new generations of bioluminescent biosensors for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics and other issues of bioluminescence research.

Programme Leader

Professor Valentina Kratasyuk’s research interests are mechanisms of bioluminescence, bioluminescent enzymatic biosensors, enzymatic toxicity bioassays, bioluminescent analysis, biotechnological design, biochemistry, science education, history of sciences, immobilization of enzymes.... [-]

Ph.D. in Applied Biological Sciences: Environmental Health

Nowadays, it is known that the environment and health are inseparably interrelated. Environmental pollutants in the environment will affect human health sooner or later. This discipline will provide the foundation for understanding how environmental pollutants affect health. Knowledgeable, capable, and technically skilled personnel, that have both a practical and theoretical understanding of environmental health, are needed to undertake research and academic work so that they can apply their knowledge and skill to identify and prevent health and environmental problems. Skill graduates are also needed to identify or synthesize chemical or biological substances to cure or prevent diseases and to use their knowledge and expertise to add value to the natural resources.The program aims to prepare students for careers in public health, drug discovery and development and related fields that deal with the application of modern biology to practical contemporary problems. The program is research oriented and focuses on method development and more detailed technical issues. Graduates will be trained to be both thinkers and practitioners.... [-]