Abdulilah Mayet | Neuroscience | Excellence in Innovation Award

Faculty at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia

Prof. Abdulilah Mohammad Mayet is a distinguished Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, with over 25 years of experience spanning academia, industry, and innovation. An alumnus of KAUST and KFUPM, he is a trailblazer in MEMS/NEMS devices, semiconductor fabrication, and AI-integrated sensor systems. As CTO and co-founder of commercial semiconductor ventures, and a Fulbright Scholar and visiting professor at UC Irvine, Dr. Mayet bridges cutting-edge research with real-world impact. He is a prolific inventor with multiple US patents and over 35 scholarly publications. His pioneering work in amorphous WNx metals, transient electronics, and nanoscale switching systems has pushed boundaries in sustainable and ultra-low-power electronics. An active member of leadership and innovation programs like MiSK 2030 and the Saudi Leadership Society, he is committed to transforming ideas into scalable innovations with national and global relevance.

Publication Profile

Orcid

Education

Dr. Mayet holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), completed in April 2016. His doctoral work focused on advanced NEMS switches using amorphous materials, culminating in innovations in transient electronics. He also earned an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from KAUST in 2011, where he began developing high-end microelectronic systems. His foundational training began with a B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Dhahran, in June 1991. Dr. Mayet has further enriched his academic profile through prestigious executive programs in innovation and leadership from institutions such as MIT, Esade Business School, and Cornell University. These programs equipped him with deep interdisciplinary knowledge, allowing him to integrate business acumen with high-level research and technology transfer, particularly in nanofabrication, MEMS/NEMS, and AI-driven system design.

Experience

Prof. Mayet’s career spans academia, industry, and global research. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at King Khalid University, where he leads research in nanofabrication, teaches AI-integrated FPGA systems, and directs the college’s research center. He is also the CEO of Qimam Abha Company and a founding member of the Saudi Leadership Society. Notably, he served as CTO at SEMC, overseeing a 4,000 m² commercial nano-fabrication fab. He has held visiting appointments at the University of California, Irvine, and is a Fulbright Scholar. Over three decades, he has collaborated with institutions such as Cornell, Atmel, and KAUST, gaining extensive expertise in MEMS/NEMS, EBL, and semiconductor technologies. He’s also a Regeneron ISEF Grand Awards judge and advisor in national innovation programs like MiSK 2030 Leaders. His global career uniquely blends scientific innovation, technical execution, entrepreneurship, and academic mentorship.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Mayet’s excellence has been recognized through numerous national and international honors. He is a Fulbright Scholar Fellow (2023–2024), a prestigious title awarded to distinguished scholars for international academic exchange. He was selected as a Grand Awards Judge at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in 2024, honoring his scientific integrity and innovation. He’s also a recipient of more than SAR 26 million in competitive research grants for pioneering work in MEMS/NEMS, AI, and nanotechnology. His leadership in innovation has earned him roles in strategic national programs such as the MiSK 2030 Leaders Program and recognition through multiple invited roles and patents. He holds 8 intellectual properties and is the co-founder and CEO of a university-owned tech company. As a result, his career reflects not just scholarly excellence, but also high-impact leadership in shaping research-to-market ecosystems.

Research Focus

Dr. Mayet’s research lies at the intersection of MEMS/NEMS, nanoelectronics, AI-driven sensor systems, and advanced semiconductor fabrication. He is renowned for fabricating ultra-low voltage NEM switches with unprecedented endurance—over 8 trillion cycles—based on his innovation in amorphous WNx metals. His research has led to breakthroughs in transient electronics, AI-integrated capacitive sensors, and intelligent test compression methods. He’s deeply involved in the commercialization of MEMS devices for medical, industrial, and defense applications. He also actively integrates AI into hardware, using neural networks for flow detection, biosensing, and radiative sensing systems. His focus spans from fundamental material discovery and nanodevice design to applied engineering and real-world deployment. Through his leadership at King Khalid University’s research center and consulting at the Artificial Intelligence Center, he is initiating new fabs for research and commercial use, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s capacity in high-tech manufacturing and innovation.

Publication Top Notes

Multiphase Flow’s Volume Fractions Intelligent Measurement by a Compound Method Employing Cesium-137, Photon Attenuation Sensor, and Capacitance-Based Sensor

Combination of a Nondestructive Testing Method with Artificial Neural Network for Determining Thickness of Aluminum Sheets Regardless of Alloy’s Type

Application of the Fourier Transform to Improve the Accuracy of Gamma-Based Volume Percentage Detection System Independent of Scale Thickness

An Insight to the Outage Performance of Multi-Hop Mixed RF/FSO/UWOC System

Intelligent Measuring of the Volume Fraction Considering Temperature Changes and Independent Pressure Variations for a Two-Phase Homogeneous Fluid Using an 8-Electrode Sensor and an ANN

Proposing a Method Based on Artificial Neural Network for Predicting Alignment between the Saudi Nursing Workforce and the Gig Framework

An Intelligent Approach to Determine Component Volume Percentages in a Symmetrical Homogeneous Three-Phase Fluid in Scaled Pipe Conditions

Margaret Boone Rappaport | Neuroscience | Hypothesis Achievement Award

Dr Margaret Boone Rappaport, The Human Sentience Project, LLC, United States

Dr. Margaret Rappaport is a seasoned program evaluator and policy analyst, specializing in health and social services. She has extensive experience with Federal, State, and local programs, notably with the US Census Bureau. Her expertise spans quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including multivariate statistical techniques and field research. Margaret’s career highlights include work on substance abuse program evaluation, cognitive interviewing, and managing large datasets. She has authored studies and provided consultancy for numerous agencies and organizations, focusing on program effectiveness and data quality. Margaret continues to contribute actively to research and evaluation in her field. 📊

Education

In 1968, I earned my B.A. in Biology from George Washington University, embarking on a journey of academic pursuits. This was followed by an M.Ed. in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Florida in 1970, laying a solid groundwork for my educational career. Subsequently, I pursued Anthropology, obtaining an M.A. in 1975 and a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology in 1977 from Ohio State University, delving deep into cultural studies. Later, in 1979 and 1985, I enriched my expertise with coursework in Statistics and Advanced SAS at George Washington University. Finally, in 1990 and 1992, I engaged in Environmental Biology coursework at George Mason University, broadening my knowledge 📚.

Experience

From 1988 to 2007, as President of POLICY RESEARCH METHODS, INCORPORATED (PRMI), I led diverse projects focused on evaluation and research for prominent clients such as the U.S. Census Bureau, HUD, and various nonprofit organizations. My responsibilities ranged from conducting cognitive interviews on census questions to evaluating programs like transitional housing and substance abuse rehabilitation. I also facilitated grants review and developed methodologies for assessing program effectiveness. Transitioning to independent consulting from 2008 to 2010 with AMATEA LLC, I specialized in business development and proposal writing, leveraging extensive experience in research and evaluation across multiple sectors. 📊

Honors

Dr Margaret Boone Rappaport ‘s scholarly achievements have been recognized through prestigious memberships in honor societies like Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. Her exemplary work earned her accolades such as the Praxis Award from the Washington Association of Professional Anthropologists. These honors underscore her academic prowess and dedication to advancing anthropological research and practice.

Presentations

A frequent presenter at leading conferences such as the American Anthropological Association and the Society for Applied Anthropology, Dr Margaret Boone Rappaport has consistently contributed groundbreaking insights. Her presentations on topics ranging from cultural ecology to health policy underscore her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to knowledge dissemination.

Publication Legacy 📚

Dr Margaret Boone Rappaport has authored several seminal books and numerous articles that delve into critical societal issues. Her publications, including “Capital Cubans” and “Capital Crime: Black Infant Mortality in America,” reflect her deep-seated commitment to addressing social inequalities through rigorous anthropological inquiry. Her research has notably influenced policy and practice, making her a pivotal figure in the field of applied anthropology.

Research focus

Dr. M.B. Rappaport’s research focuses on the intersection of theology, ethics, and space exploration, with a particular emphasis on the ethical implications of human expansion beyond Earth. Their work delves into ecotheology, exploring how religious principles can inform humanity’s approach to settling different celestial bodies—from the inner planets to the outer reaches of our solar system. They also investigate moral questions surrounding extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) and the ethical frameworks necessary for future space colonization. Through their publications, Rappaport contributes to discussions on sustainability, morality, and the theological dimensions of space exploration. 🌌🛰️