PEOPLE

Get to know the passionate experts driving our mission forward. Our team is a diverse group of scientists, researchers, and innovators, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to our work. United by a shared commitment to excellence and impact, we collaborate to push boundaries, solve challenges, and make a difference. Meet the people who are turning ideas into breakthroughs.

Zahraa Alkhayat

MASTERS STUDENTS

MSc, Environmental Science and Engineering (Aug 2025 - July 2026)

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Biography

Zahraa Alkhayat holds a B.Sc. in Environmental Science (Quantitative Energy Systems) with a minor in Data Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on developing a Python-based EIO-LCA model to guide Saudi Arabia’s sustainability and decarbonization policies. At KAUST, she optimized carbon reduction pathways and analyzed green hydrogen byproduct valorization. At Aramco, she conducted LCAs of LNG, ammonia, and hydrogen power systems, identifying cracked blue ammonia as the lowest-carbon option. She aims to connect data-driven modeling with policy design for evidence-based environmental decisions.

Research Interests

Zahraa’s research integrates environmental modeling, optimization, and policy to advance low-carbon energy transitions. She develops EIO-LCA models linking emissions and energy data with economic accounts and builds GIS and machine-learning tools for climate and energy analysis. Her goal is to create data-driven decision systems supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 sustainability agenda.

Education

  • B.S. Environmental Science, Quantitative Energy Systems Track, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2024

Professional Profile

  • 2025 – Intern, R&D, Technology Strategy & Planning Department, Saudi Aramco.
  • 2023 – Student Consultant, Perotech Cleantech Startup, UNC–Chapel Hill.

      Awards

      • KAUST Gifted Student Program Scholar at UC Berkeley, 2020.

      KAUST Affiliations

      • Climate and Livability Initiatives
      • Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering
      • Urban Lab

      Research Interests Keywords

      LCA Advanced Data Assimilation and Ensemble Forecasting Advanced Energy Systems GIS
      UrbanLab. Talent. Affirmations. Thought. Inspiration. Transmission. Knowledge. Meeting. Community. Future. Transition.