In December 2020, KAUST launched the Circular Carbon Initiative.

"Since its inception in 2009, research into Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) technology solutions has been an integral part of KAUST’s portfolio, including CO₂ capture, Nature-Based Solutions, Renewable Energy and CO₂ utilization. With the recent launch of the KAUST Circular Carbon Initiative (CCI), we aim to connect more deeply the different strands of our CCE research, to create a strong and well-informed network of researchers at different career stages, to identify and seek to engage missing expertise and, last but not least, to proactively contribute to the ongoing efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to implement a CCE National Program."

The SSB group was proud to be represented by Dr. Kyle Lauersen, Dr. Gordon Wellman and Lab Manager John Girgis at the Circular Carbon Initiative launch event. They presented 9 of the algal species that are currently being studied in the laboratory, and displayed a bioreactor prototype capable of cultivating high-value algal strains at high densities. 

Dr. Kyle Lauersen was also invited to be one of the CCI on-screen presenters, with the video attached below: