Tariq A. Alkhalifah is a professor in the Physical Sciences and Engineering Division. He joined KAUST in June 2009. Before he joined KAUST, Alkhalifah was research professor and director of the Oil and Gas Research Institute at King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology (KACST). Previously, he held the positions of associate research professor, assistant research professor, and research assistant at KACST. From 1996 to 1998, Alkhalifah served as a postdoctoral researcher for the Stanford Exploration Project at Stanford University, United States. He received the J. Clarence Karcher Award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) in 1998 and the Conrad Schlumberger Award from the European Association for Geoscientists & Engineers (EAGE) in 2003, and served as an honorary lecturer for the SEG in 2011. He also received the Virgil Kauffman Gold medal from the SEG in 2023. Alkhalifah received his doctoral degree in geophysics and his master’s degree in geophysical engineering, both from the Colorado School of Mines, United States. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geophysics from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia. Alkhalifah’s research interests include seismic imaging and waveform inversion in complex media, and recently his interest included the utilization of machine learning for such objectives.

Gareth is a Principal Programme Manager with Azure Global Industry, specializing in AI programs for the energy sector. He focuses on improving efficiencies through technology and AI, developing strategies for analytics using modern architectures and HPC systems. His projects include data platforms, schemas, and HPC/AI solutions, adhering to data governance standards.Gareth holds a Doctorate in Geophysics from University College Dublin (2002), an M.Sc. in Geophysics from Durham University (1998), and a B.A. in Theoretical Physics from Trinity College Dublin (1997). He also earned an M.Sc. in Business Analytics from Smurfit Business School (2017) and currently holds an adjunct professorship at the Dublin Institute for advanced Studies. From 2002 to 2011, Gareth was a Research Fellow at UCD's School of Earth Sciences, focusing on Computational Geoscience. He then worked as a Principal Scientist in the energy sector until 2020, tackling industry challenges with HPC and AI. Gareth’s expertise spans academia, industry, and cloud technology, with numerous scientific publications in geophysics, imaging and AI applications.

Mik Isernia is a Head of Sales who has worked with various companies in the energy industry, focusing on driving growth strategies and developing innovative solutions. With extensive experience in business development and strategic alliances, Mik has a strong background in cloud solutions, data flow optimization, and global sales partnerships. Mik's educational background includes a MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and a BS in Computer Science from Università degli Studi di Milano.