Noreddine Ghaffour is a Professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) with over 30 years of expertise in drinking/potable water treatment technologies, focusing on membrane and thermal based desalination processes. 

He received his Ing./M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Energy & Process Engineering from Montpellier University, France. Since joining KAUST in 2010, Professor Ghaffour has significantly impacted the field with over 500 publications, numerous patents, and multiple awards like the Brains for Brine Challenge Award in 2019. He is a frequent speaker at global conferences and a member of leading water science organizations, demonstrating his dedication to advancing water science internationally. 

Professor Noreddine Ghaffour leads the Desalination Research Group (DESAL) at KAUST, which is committed to discovering and developing sustainable desalination solutions to address freshwater challenges both locally and globally. His research centers on reducing desalination costs and enhancing the sustainability of water supplies by improving existing technologies and pioneering low-energy desalination processes that integrate renewable energy sources.

His work is aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to develop a knowledge-based economy and attract global talent. Professor Ghaffour's research efforts involve collaborations with various global industry partners and academic institutions, reinforcing KAUST's status as a leader in water research.