J. Carlos Santamarina (Professor - KAUST) graduated from Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and completed graduate studies at the University of Maryland and Purdue University. He taught at NYU-Polytechnic, University of Waterloo and at Georgia Institute of Technology before joining King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

Dr. Santamarina is a frequent keynote speaker at international events, a member of Argentinean National Academies, and has participated in several committees of the USA National Academies. He is the recipient of two ASTM Hogentogler Awards, was the 2012 British Geotechnical Association Touring Lecturer, and delivered the 50th Terzaghi Lecture in 2014.