CHAIR
Peiying Hong is an associate professor of Environmental Science and Engineering at KAUST’ s Water Desalination and Reuse, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering( BESE) Division. Professor Hong’ s research interests include molecular microbiology and microbial aspects in water and wastewater ecosystems. Her research aims to understand the roles and interactions of microorganisms in these ecosystems, to solve issues related to water quality and water reuse. Professor Hong’ s research also looks at the biotic contaminants( e. g. antibiotic resistance genes, mobile genetic elements, pathogens) present in both natural and engineered environments. CO-CHAIR
Derya Baran is an assistant professor of Material Science and Engineering at the KAUST Solar Center, Division( PSE). Baran’ s research interests lie in solution-processable organic / hybrid soft materials for electronic devices. Such soft semiconductor materials possess a viable platform for printed, large area, stretchable and wearable electronics that can be used as solar cells, smart windows, OFETs, thermoelectrics, sensors, and bioelectronics.