Center for Environment & Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals. P.O. Box 2017Dhahran31261, Saudi Arabia / Phone: +966-3-860-1426
Fax: +966-3-860-3220
E-mail: suwailem@ kfupm.edu.sa

Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem

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Key Qualifications

Experienced researcher and project manager of various client funded research projects on marine environmental topics such as environmental impact assessment studies, pollution studies, biotope mapping, ecological modeling,monitoring of water, sediment and biota and fisheries. Dr. Suwailem has been the Cruise Leader for many cruises undertaken by the research boats RV Al-gosaibi-1 andUloom on the Saudi territorial waters of the Arabian Gulf, studies covered oceanography, ecology and fisheries of the Gulf. He has university teachingexperience in the areas of Aquatic Biological Resources, Biological Oceanography, Physical and Chemical Oceanography, Natural History of Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, Non-fish Resources of the World and Marine Pollution.

Experience

2000–Present / Manager, Marine Studies Section
Center for Environment and Water,
Research Institute
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals / Dhahran
Saudi Arabia

Honors:

RI Distinguished Research Awards:

  1. Awarded the Distinguished Project Leadership Award for the year 2004-2005.
  2. Awarded the Distinguished Research Team Award for the year 2004-2005.

Managing and coordinating all aspects of the proposed work for client funded researchprojects in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

Position / Project Title / Funding Body / Period
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Environmental Impact Assessment – Upgrade Northern Area Oil Operations Offshore Platforms Wastewater / Saudi Aramco / 13 Jun - 31 Oct. 2005
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Environmental Impact Assessment of the New Khursaniyah 30” Dia. Pipeline (B1-10-08022) / Saudi Aramco / 22 May-30 Sep. 2005
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Environmental Assessment of the Breakwaters in the Aziziyah Area / Saad Trading & Contracting Co. / 07 May -08 Oct. 2005
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Environmental Assessment of Small Scale Oil Spill Off the Al-Jubail Coast, Arabian Gulf / Saudi Aramco Shell Refinery Co. (SASREF),Jubail / January-June 2005
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) North Safaniya Artificial Lift – BI-10-00047 / Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, / July 2004- December 2004
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Offshore MP facilities Qatif 15 KV cable– Environmental Impact Assessment / Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia / November2003 – March, 2004
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Berri-119, 130/132 Production Pipeline Environmental Impact Assessment / Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia / April – October, 2003
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Duba Marine Terminal Permanent Berth (B1-8232) Marine Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring Study / Saudi ARAMCO, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. / January 2003 – January 2005
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Oceanographic Survey in Support of the Marine and Coastal Damage Assessment / UNCC/PME with the Consultant of Saudi Company for Environmental Works Ltd., Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia / August 2002 – March 2004
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Sustaining Research Project (CEW 2233), Marine Environmental Studies-Phase IV. / Saudi ARAMCO / October 2001-September 2006
Project Manager & Principal Investigator / Investigation of Pollution Problems in Dammam Corniche Water / Directorate of Dammam / September 2001-November 2002
Project Manager and Chairman of the Organizing committee / Maritime Disaster Management Symposium / Frontier Guard General Directorate in collaboration with Saudi Aramco and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. / April 2001 – February 2002
Project Manager / Study of Al-Khafji Seawater Quality and Maritime Habitat / Al-Khafji Joint Operations, Al-Khafji, K.S.A. / 01 March 2005 – 30 September 2006
Project Manager / Rabigh Environnemental Baseline Study / Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd., Lonkon, U.K. / 16 Sept 2004-17 Aug. 2005
Project Manager / Coral Reef Survey in Support of the Marine and Coastal Damage Assessment / UNCC/PME with the Consultant of Saudi Company for Environmental Works Ltd., Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia / August 2002 – March 2004
Task Leader / Environmental baseline and impact assessment for Seismic operations in block C of Rub Al- Khali desert of Saudi Arabia / Eni Repsa Gas ltd. / July 2004- February 2005
Task Leader / Environmental impact assessment for Seismic operations in SSG contract area in Rub Al-Khali desert of Saudi Arabia / Sino Saudi Gas Ltd. / July 2004- January 2005
Task Leader / Environnemental impact assessment contract area A in the North part of Rub Al-Khali- Stage 1: 2D and 3D Seismic Operations / Luksar Energy Ltd. / August 2004- Dec 2004
Task Leader / Environnemental and Social Impact Assessment for Seismic Operations in cv3 Concession Area in Rub Al-Khali Dessert of Saudi Arabia / South Rub Al- Khali Company Ltd. / January 2004- September 2004
Task Leader / Marine Biological and Database Development Program / Saudi ARAMCO / November 2000 – November 2002
Co-Investigator / Environmental Impact Study of the Arab-Bahrain Pipeline / Saudi ARAMCO / October 2001- April 2002
Co-Investigator / Preliminary ecological study of the corridors of Qatif producing, Abu Safah Downstream and inter-QGOS Pipelines / Saudi ARAMCO / July to August 2001
Co-Investigator / Environmental Impact Study of the Duba Marine Terminal Permanent Berth / Lumus Al-Ireza Ltd.Co. / September 2001
Co-Investigator / Biological control of aquatic weeds using Grass Carp (Ctenophyregodon idella) in the irrigation and drainage canals in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia / Commission for Irrigation and Drainage at KingFaisalUniversity, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia / April 2000- July2001
Co-Investigator / Environmental impact of the cooling water discharge from SABIC's and other petrochemical plants at Jubail on the marine benthic communities / SABIC at KingFaisalUniversity, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia / 2000-2001
Co-Investigator / Mangrove Rehabilitation on Arabian Gulf project / Islamic Development Bank at KingFaisalUniversity, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia / 1998-2001
Co-Investigator / Study of ecological factors that effect the fishery resources in Arabian Gulf / KACST sponsored project at Department of Aquatic Resource Development, KingFaisalUniversity, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia / 1998-2001
1996-2003 / Cruise Leader
Cruise Leader for many cruises undertaken by the research boats Algosaibi-1, Uloom 1 & Uloom 2 on the Saudi territorial waters of the Arabian Gulf. Various studies were executed covering oceanography, pollution, ecology and fisheries of the Gulf.
Task Leader
Task Leader for biological studies on board the RV Ghods for the ROPME Summer 2001Cruise- Leg III.
Dr. Al-Suwailem leadsa team of researchers that sampled the bacterioplankton, phytoplankton, zooplankton, Ichthyoplankton, macrofauna and meiofauna / Saudi Arabia
Arabian Gulf
1994–1996 / Conference Organizer
Organized various scientific conferences and multidisciplinary panel meetings. Among those:
Symposium on Maritime Disaster Management, held at KFUPM from 19-23 January 2002.
Co-editor of the conference proceeding book entitled “Maritime Disaster Management”. Conveyor for a special issue of the Spill Sciences at Technology Bulletin. Selected papers from the conferences will
be published in the Journal. / Saudi Arabia
1993–1996 / Deputy Dean of Student Affairs
KingFaisalUniversity / Al Hasa
Saudi Arabia
1992-1999 / Chairman, Dept. of Aquatic Resources Dev.
KingFaisalUniversity / Al Hasa
Saudi Arabia

Managed the university student’s dealings such as housing accommodation, catering services, other student’s needs and other non-academic activities. Managed 200 personnel and catered for 4000 students.

Education

Ph.D. / Oceanography specializing marine ecology / Southampton University, UK / 1991
B. Sc. / Aquatic Resources Development / King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia / 1984

Research Interest

Benthic ecology. Pollution of marine environment. Environmental Impact Assessment Studies. Coastal management and conservation of marine habitats.

Publications

Al-Suwailem, A. M. (2004) Scientific and Cultural Days in Yemen, December 13-19, 2004, HudaydaUniversity, Sanaa, Yemen. Title of presentation: “The Red Sea: Ecology, Threat, and Protection”.

Qasem Ali M., Gahtani A. Karim, Al-Suwailem Abdulaziz M., Zahid Nazeer, Rao A.V.V.S., Shamsheer P., Shanil B., and PeranteN.C. (2004) Offshore Arabia Conference & Exhibition Offshore/Coastal Protection: Maintaining a Healthy Offshore.DubaiInternationalExhibitionCenter, November 29 – December 1, 2004,Dubai, U.A.E. Title of presentation: Preliminary Characterization of Ballast Water Discharged to the Arabian Gulf.

Al-Suwailem, A. M. (2004) Coastal and Marine Environmental Issues in the ROPME Sea Area – Water & Ecosystem, Some Major Threats to the Saudi Marine Environment of the Arabian Gulf, presentation held in Ras Al-Kaimah on June 20-22, 2004, sponsored by UNESCO.

Al-Suwailem, A. M.and Lopez, M. C. (2002) Study of Ballast Water as a Vector for Introducing Non-indigenous Species in the Saudi Water of the ROPMESea Area and Red Sea. Presented at the 1st Regional Conference on Ballast Water Management and Control in the ROPMESea Area, Conference Hall of the Ports and Shipping Organization, Tehran, Iran, 17-19 June 2002. Sponsored by Iran Government, IMO, and ROPME Countries.

Al-Suwailem, A. M.and Al-Abdulkader, K. A. (2002) Horizon of Cooperation Between Oil Companies and Research Institutes for Serving the Environment – A Case Study. Abstract presentation at the Environmental Citizenship Workshop sponsored by Saudi Aramco and organized by KACST, NCWCD and the Saudi Chemical Society. The workshop was held on the occasion of the International Environmental Day, King Faisal Auditorium, Intercontinental Hotel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 3 to 5 June, 2002.

Al-Suwailem, A. M.(2002) Nutrient Enrichment: A Major Threat to the Marine Environment. Oral presentation in Environmental Awareness, Present & Future Workshop on 13 April 2002. Japanese International Cooperation Agency and Presidency of Meteorology & Environment, Dammam, K.S.A.

Suwandana, E. and Al-Suwailem, A. M.(2002) Site Determination for Mangrove Eco-Tourism Using Multi Criteria Analysis and GIS: Case Study on Segara Anakan Lagoon-Estuarine Ecosystem. Poster presented in the International Symposium on Eco-Tourism Development in Saudi Arabia, 24-28 March 2002, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Al-Bahrany, A. M., Al-Suwailem, A.M. , Nazeer Z., Belal, I.E.H., Al-Dossary M. Al-Shabaan, A., Al-Khatib S., and Farah, A. F. (2002). Mangrove Rehabilitation on the Arabian Gulf, Final Report presented to Islamic Development Bank Saudi Arabia.

Suwandana, E. and Al-Suwailem, A. M.(2002) Combined Use of Remote Sensing, GIS and Simulation Modeling in Managing Flood Disasters in Lagoons. Proc. Symposium on Maritime Disaster Management on 19-23January 2002 at KFUPM, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Pp. 357-365.

Al-Suwailem, A.M., Nazeer Z., Belal, I.E.H., and Al-Bahrany, A. M. (2001). Temporal and Spatial Variation of Benthic Macrofauna in Two Mangrove Habitats along the SaudiCoast of the Arabian Gulf. 2nd International Symposium and Workshop on Arid Zone Environments: Research and Management Options for Mangrove and Salt Marsh Ecosystems, 22nd – 24th December 2001, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Al-Suwailem, A.M. and Belal, I.E.H., A.M (2001). Biological control of aquatic weeds using Grass Carp (Ctenophyregodon idella) in the irrigation and drainage canals in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia" Final report submitted to Commission for Irrigation and Drainage at KingFaisalUniversity, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Suwailem, A.M., Qurban, M.A. (2001). Signs and impacts of pollution in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea. Proc. The Protection of Marine Environment on the Light of the Law of the Sea Convention Symposium on April 22-23, 2001 at the Institute of Diplomatic Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Al-Suwailem, A.M., Qurban, M.A. (2001). Coastal Eutrophication: Causes and Impacts. Proc. World Environment Day Workshop,Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on June 5-6, 2001. Sponsored by Saudi Aramco, MEPA and NCWCD.

Al-Suwailem, A M., Zahid Nazeer., A,M. Al-Bahrani (2001). A comparative study of two mangrove habitats along the Eastern Coast of Saudi Arabia. Part 1: Physical conditions and Molluscan fauna (Accepted). Proc. At the International Symposium on Mangroves on July 10-12, 2001ResearchCenter for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Al-Suwailem, A. M.and I. E. H. Belal (1999). Intensive Shrimp Penaeus Semisulcatus Dee Haan, Culture in the Arabian Gulf during the Summer. Proc. At the Regional Conference on the Marine Environment of the Gulf , 12-15 December 1998, University of Qatar, Doha, Qatar. University of Qatar Sci. J. 19: 251-256.

Hassan, A.K., I.E.H. Belal, and A. M. Al-Suwailem(1999). Effect of Sudden Reduction of Sea Water Salinity (SRWS) on Two Molluscan Species Using a Kinetic Model. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 15:81-86.

Belal, I.E.H, A.K. Hassan and A. Al-Suwailem (1998). The use of kinetic models for predicting the effects of sudden environmental changes on pearl oysters. Abstract of Environmental issues in GCC Countries, February 16-18, 1998, Kuwait.

Belal, I.E.H., A. Al-Suwailem, C.F.H. Hosny and K. Yasin (1996) Intensive culture of Penaeus semisulcatus from the Arabian Gulf, in a flow-through system. The annual conference of the Kuwait Environmental Protection Society, April 1998, Kuwait.

Al-Suwailem, A. (1987) A preliminary survey of AL-UGAIR. Report submitted to the Department of Oceanography, SouthamptonUniversity (1987).

Shaeder, M., A. Al-Suwailem& G.A. Rowe (1997) The anemone, Nematostella vectensis, in Britain: Consideration for conservation management. Aquat. Conserv.: Mar. Freshwater Ecosystems,7: 13-25

Other skills and experiences(conferences, short courses, training and seminars)

  1. “Review of the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Plan for Oceanographic Cruise – Winter 2005” was presented at the High Level Meeting for Designing and Implementing a Regional Monitoring Programme for Marine Pollution, Tehran, I.R. Iran, 9-13 July 2005, sponsored by ROPME-Kuwait.
  2. Oceanographic Cruise in the ROPMESea Area: Participated as a leading member of the Regional Task Force in the Cruise – Winter 2005 in Bandar Abbas, Iran during the period of 25-27 June 2005.
  3. ROPME Workshop: Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, manager of the Environment Section, participated in a ROPME regional training workshop in remote sensing applications to environmental monitoring, held in Kuwait from May 21-25, 2005.
  4. Representation in UNESCO Meeting: Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, manager of the Marine Studies Section, has been nominated by UNESCO as the representative of Saudi Arabia to present a report on key environmental issues of the country at a meeting organized by UNESCO and ROPME being held in Tehran, Iran, on 2-6 May 2005.
  5. Attended the Executive Development Program by Mr. Tom Peters Seminar, 20 April 2005, sponsored by KFUPM and JIWATrainingCenter, KFUPM, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
  6. Second Scientific Committee Meeting on Oceanographic Cruise in the ROPME Sea Area, Tehran, I.R. Iran, 15-17 January 2005. Sponsored by ROPME Kuwait.
  1. Marine Research Committee, Office of the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Defense & Aviation, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 10/23/1425 (Dec. 6, 2004).
  1. First Scientific Committee on Oceanographic Cruise in the ROPMESea Area – Spring 2005, Tehran, I.R. Iran, 18-20 September 2004. This is sponsored by ROPME Kuwait.
  1. The Annual Environmental Protection Seminar 2004, 27-29 September 2004, sponsored by Environmental Technology & Management Association (ETMA) and Gulf Business Network Group (GBN), Dammam, Saudi Arabia
  1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Using Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM), 5 Days Workshop, Conference Center, Knowledge Village, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 21-25 August 2004.
  1. UNESCO Expert Meeting on Coastal and Marine Environmental Issues in the ROPME Sea Area – Water & Ecosystems, June 20-22,2004, Ras Al-Kaimah, United Arab Emirates.
  1. Fourth Specialty Conference on ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS IN THE PETROLEUM & PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES: CREATIVE SOLUTIONS, 23-25 February 2004, Gulf International Convention Centre, Gulf Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain.
  1. 1st International Workshop on Guidelines & Standards for Ballast Water Sampling, 7-11 April 2003, Solar da Imperatriz, Rua Pacheco Leao 2004, Botanical Gardens, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  1. National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 19-20 October 2003.
  1. Kuwait Institute for Science and Environmental Research, Kuwait, 8-10 March 2003.
  1. 12th Industrial Safety, sponsored by SABIC, Jubail, November 5-8, 2002.
  2. Environment and Industrial Conference, March 1-2, 2003, sponsored by Chamber of Commerce, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
  1. Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System (IOGOOS) Conference at Mauritius Oceanography Institute, Mauritius from 01-09 November 2002.
  1. 1st International Workshop on Global Monitoring Systems for Introduced / Invasive Species (GMS for IMS) and the 1st International Workshop on Standards and Guidelines for Ballast Water Sampling in Rio de Janeiro/Paranaqua, Brazil, from 29 July to 9 August 2002. Sponsored by GEF/UNDP/IMO GloBallast Water Management Programme, 4 Albert Embankment, LondonSE1 7SR, England.
  1. Regional Workshop on Conservation of the Northeastern Red Sea from 28-30 January 2002. Sponsored by JICA and the Department of Marine Studies, Dammam, KSA.
  1. Sea Water Quality Monitoring of the Arabian Gulf Workshop, organized by Meteorology and Environmental Protection Agency & The Japan International Cooperation Agency at Dammam, Saudi Arabia on September 13-14,2001.
  1. 19th Lab Research and Development Center – 2001 Technical Exchange Meeting, sponsored by Engineering Services, Saudi Aramco, September 10-12, 2001.
  1. Training program on Applications of Remote Sensing in Oceanography on September 1-8, 2001. Sponsored by NARSS, Cairo, Egypt.
  1. Oceanographic Cruise ROPME Sea Area, (Summer 2001) Iranian Cruise sponsored by ROPME Kuwait on August 16-29, 2001.
  1. Mangrove Rescue workshop, conducted by NCWCD, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 24, 2001.
  2. Workshop on The Role of Science and Technology Parks and Incubators as Home for Entrepreneurs from University and Industry 31 March – 1 April 2001, KFUPM Conf. Hall, Building 20, KFUPM, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
  1. Training program on Integrated Environmental Assessment and Reporting by UNEP/ROWA, National Authority of Remote Sensing & Space Science and University of Alexandria, Egypt on January 21-24, 2001.
  1. Workshop of Sea Water Quality Monitoring of the Arabian Gulf, sponsored by MEPA & JICA, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, 13-14 November 2000.
  1. Symposium for Fish in GCC from 9-11 October 2000. Sponsored by KingFaisalUniversity, Al-Hassa and Standardization & Metrology Organization for GCC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
  1. Fourth Meeting of the Regional Group of Experts on Marine Mortality, sponsored by ROPME, Kuwait, 4-5 July 2000.
  1. Workshop on Hazardous Waste Practices and Controls Schedule sponsored by EPA, MEPA, & NOAA, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 25-28, 2000.
  2. The Second Arab International Conference and Exhibition on Environmental Biotechnology (Coastal Habitats), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 8-12 April 2000.
  1. Summer 2000 RSA Open Sea Cruise Work Plan, sponsored by Marine Environment Research Bureau (MERB), Department of the Environment, I.R. Iran.
  1. International Symposium on Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB’s) & Third Expert Meeting on the Regional Plan of Action on Marine Mortality (PAMM), sponsored by Environment Public Authority (EPA) State of Kuwait, 6-8 March 2000.
  1. EU-GCC Hazardous Waste Management Workshop from 11-13 October 1998. Sponsored by MEPA Eastern Province, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
  1. Training program on “Analytical techniques in marine sciences”, United Arab EmiratesUniversity, November 1997.
  1. Scientific Workshop on Results of the R/V Mt. Mitchell Cruise, sponsored by ROPME Kuwait, 24-28 January 1993.
  1. Two weeks training course on “Gas chromatography”, KingFaisalUniversity, and June 1992.
  1. Ten days course on “Statistical data analysis using SAS”, KingFaisalUniversity, April 1992.
  1. One month course on “Fish farming and fisheries”, the Red Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Water, May-June 1984.
  1. Participated in three weeks program on “the study and protection of inter-tidal habitats”, SaudiCoast of the Arabian Gulf, July-August 1983.
  1. Two weeks training course on “shrimp fisheries”, on board a shrimp trawler in the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Fisheries Company, August 1982.