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The way to apply for VSRP internship is to apply via a project below. We have over 100 projects spanning 16 STEM disciplines, and each project has its own 'Apply' button. Each project is 3 - 6 months long and includes airfares, flights, housing, health insurance and a monthly stipend.

You'll be able to work directly with leading researchers in our state-of-the-art laboratories. We're open to applications from motivated students looking to make an impact on the world. If that sounds like you, find a project below that interests you and continue your journey at KAUST!

New research projects have been added in the following areas:

Cybersecurity
Environmental Science and Engineering
Earth Science and Engineering
Computer Science
Applied Mathematics and Computational Science

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CURRENT PROJECTS

Unlocking the Secrets of the Extreme Microbiome: Biotechnological Frontiers on Earth and Beyond

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Project Description

Extremophiles are specialized microorganisms that thrive under severe conditions, such as extreme temperatures, pH levels, and pressures. These organisms are fascinating subjects for scientific research and promising candidates for diverse biotechnological applications. Saudi Arabia's harsh environments, from deserts to volcanic areas, are home to these resilient organisms. These unique settings, resembling extraterrestrial landscapes, provide exceptional opportunities to leverage extremophiles for biotechnological innovations. Our project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030's goal of promoting sustainable economic growth. Our project seeks to tap into this potential by developing a multidisciplinary framework that combines advanced isolation techniques, omics technologies, and state-of-the-art facilities at KAUST. We aim to isolate novel microbial strains, explore our culture collection, and uncover their metabolic functions to pave the way for new biotechnological applications and enhance our understanding of life's adaptability. Our research extends to evaluating these extremophiles' potential to support sustainable goals on Earth and their implications in astrobiology and space research. Complementing this, our ongoing study of space-related microorganisms further expands the scope and impact of our research.

Program - BioScience

Division - Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Faculty Lab Link - https://megb.kaust.edu.sa

Field of Study - Microbiology

About the
Researcher

Alexandre Rosado

Professor, Bioscience - Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division

Desired Project Deliverables

-Isolation and Characterization of Novel Extremophile Species: Deliver a curated collection of newly isolated extremophile species from Saudi Arabia's unique environments, such as volcanic regions, hot springs, hydrothermal vents, and hyper-arid deserts, among others. This deliverable involves using advanced isolation techniques to culture these organisms, followed by genomic and phenotypic characterization to understand their unique adaptations and capabilities. We are aiming for further biotechnological exploration and contributing to the global extremophile database. -Functional Genomics and Metabolic Pathway Analysis: Conduct comprehensive omics analyses (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to elucidate the metabolic pathways and biological functions that enable extremophiles to survive under extreme conditions. This deliverable aims to identify genes, proteins, and metabolites associated with resilience to extreme environmental stresses, which could be harnessed for biotechnological applications such as bioremediation, pharmaceuticals, or industrial enzymes. -Development of Biotechnological Applications and Sustainability Assessment: Utilize the data from the isolation and omics studies to develop biotechnological applications that leverage the unique properties of extremophiles. This could include engineering extremophilic enzymes for industrial processes that require high temperatures or acidic conditions or developing extremophile-based biofilters for environmental cleanup. Additionally, assess these applications' sustainability and economic viability in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030's objectives for economic diversification and environmental sustainability. This deliverable would also explore the potential implications of extremophile research in astrobiology and space exploration, enhancing our understanding of life's possibilities beyond Earth.