KAUST Strengthens Saudi Global Research Impact with 16 Scientists on Clarivate List

   Jeddah, November 13, 2025, SPA -- Clarivate’s 2025 Highly Cited Researchers list includes 16 researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), among them 15 of the university’s 185 faculty members. The tally surpasses last year’s 14, represents 59% of Saudi Arabia’s highly cited researchers, and is the highest for any institution in the Arab world.
   According to Clarivate, the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers are those whose publications rank in the top 1% by citations during 2014–2024, with 6,868 individuals recognized this year.
   “KAUST scientists embody the spirit of creativity and innovation that transforms discovery into impact for Saudi Arabia and the world,” said KAUST president Edward Byrne AC. “Clarivate’s recognition of so many of our researchers stands as a testament to a culture of scientific excellence and a deep sense of purpose that define our university and its strategic contribution to the Kingdom’s progress.”
   Among notable achievements highlighted this year were a landmark Nature study on land degradation led by Fernando Maestre with the United Nations and KAUST co-authors Hylke Beck, Carlos Duarte, Matthew McCabe, and Yoshihide Wada; research using sea-turtle tracking that revealed under-recognized Red Sea blue-carbon resources; and a quantum random number generator developed by Osman Bakr and colleagues achieving unprecedented speed.
   The 16 KAUST researchers named to the 2025 list represent 13 nationalities, reflecting the university’s international research environment and its ability to attract top global talent.
   -- SPA