Dr. Mireille Elhajj CEO and Founder, Astraterra, Visiting Associate Professor, Imperial College London, UK
LeadershipSpotlight
Dr. Angie Brooks-Wilson, Dean of Science, Simon Fraser University, Canada
AcademicPerspectives
Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, Abu Dhabi University, UAE
Volume 4
May 2025
RegionalFocus
Dr. Fares Howari, Dean, College of Humanities and Science, Ajman University, UAE
StudentVoice
Karam Abuodeh, University of Birmingham Dubai, UAE
TableOfContents
Editorial
Welcome to UniNewsletter
By Laura Vasquez Bass Editor in Chief
Industry Perspectives
How Harnessing Remote Sensing and Earth Observation is a Consorted International Effort Not to be Overlooked
By Dr. Mireille Elhajj CEO and Founder, Astraterra Visiting Associate Professor and Industrial Advisory Board Member, Imperial College London
Leadership Spotlight
Fostering CollaborationsFuture-Proof at Simon Fraser University (SFU):
An Interview with Professor Angie Brooks-Wilson, Dean of Science, SFU, Canada
Academic Perspectives
Shattering Boundaries: How Interdisciplinary Research Is Propelling InnovationEnvironmental
By Dr. Rahaf Ajaj Chair, Department of Environmental Health & Safety, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
RegionalFocus
From Satellite to Policy: How Earth Observation is Driving Sustainable Development in Arid Regions
By Dr. Fares Howari Dean, College of Humanities and Sciences, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
By Karam Abuodeh M.Eng., Computer Science and Software Engineering, Student Association Activities Leader, University of Birmingham Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) 04 08 1220 24 30
StudentVoice
Building Bridges: How Cross-Sector Collaboration is Shaping the Future of Climate Action
The topic of this special issue of UniNewsletter, ìWorld-Saving Environmental Sciences: Future-Ready Perspectives,î is at once alarming and exciting. Our global context is themultiplewaysinwhichourplanetisunder threat due to climate changeórising sea levels, extreme weather, shifting ecosystems and the deterioration of natural resources. These phenomena are no longer hypothetical projections, but rather are daily realities for millions around the world. Biodiversity is vanishing, food and water security are under strain and the various health impacts of environmental degradation are growing clearer with each passing year. From increased respiratory illnesses due to air pollution, to the spread of vector-borne diseases in warming climates, to rising mental health issues linked to climate anxiety and displacement, the toll on human health is vast and multifaceted. Environmental exposures are also being connected to cancer development, while heatwaves and poor air quality disproportionately affect vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly and those in low-income communities.
Yet alongside this crisis are also innovative, quite literally world-saving, efforts to combat these issues: the emergence of truly interdisciplinary environmental science. Globally, researchers are forging new partnerships across fieldsówhere atmospheric scientists work with urban planners, marine biologists collaborate with policy researchers and health scientists contribute to energy transition modelling. The boundaries between disciplines are blurring in productive,
Laura Vasquez Bass
future-shaping ways. As this issueís Student Voice writer, Karam Abuodeh from the University of Birmingham Dubai, so brilliantly puts it, ìThe solutions we seek must be as interconnected as the challenges themselves.î This issue shines a lightonjustsuchinterconnectedthinking,inviting reflections from those whose work exemplifies the collaborative, forward-looking spirit environmental research now demands.
Commencing the issue, we are thrilled to feature Dr. Mireille Elhajj, CEO and Founder of the UK-based company, Astraterra, and Visiting Associate Professor and Industrial Advisory Board Member of Imperial College London. As a thriving industry professional alongside her academic work, Dr. Elhajj writes in our Industry perspectives section about remote sensing and Earth Observation (EO), which as she writes, ìhave emerged as important tools to address environmental and biodiversity change, monitor and anticipate natural disasters and evaluate the readiness of existing infrastructure.î In particular, Dr. Elhajj draws attention to the need for international collaboration in democratizing access to these tools, so that countries in the Global South can also make use of their life-saving capabilities.
This issueís distinguished Leadership Spotlight interview highlights the work and profile of Professor Angie Brooks-Wilson, Dean of Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Canada, and Distinguished Scientist at the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, also in Canada. We spoke with her about the ways that SFU champions environmental and sustainability solutions through educational programing, as well as a number of other special projects. Dr. Brooks-Wilson highlighted the role that cross-disciplinary collaboration plays in making these projects a success, involving participants throughout the university. We were also lucky enough to speak withheraboutherownresearch,inparticularher labís focus on the healthy aging of ìSuper Seniorsî people who are 85-years-old or older, and have never been diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, major pulmonary disease or dementia.
Writing in our Academic Perspectives section is the highly talented Dr. Rahaf Ajaj, who is Chair of theDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealth&Safety in the College of Health Sciences at Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Her article underscoresthecriticalimportanceofinterdisciplinary collaboration in tackling todayís environmental challenges. It highlights how issues like
pollution, climate change and sustainability are not purely scientific, but deeply interconnected with health, behavior, policy, technology and equity. From using machine learning to map soil radiation, to designing smart, human-centric cities and addressing improper drug disposal and indoor air quality, each example illustrates the need for integrated, cross-disciplinary solutions. The piece makes a compelling case that effective environmental action must bridge sectors, disciplines and communitiesógrounded in both innovation and inclusion.
In our Regional Focus section, weíre honored to feature the insights of Dr. Fares Howari, Dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences at Ajman University, UAE. Acting as a wonderful case study for the issues raised by Dr. Elhajj, Dr. Fares spotlights how EO technologies, enhanced by AI and interdisciplinary collaboration, are transforming sustainable development across the MENA region. From detecting early signs of soil salinization to monitoring groundwater and vegetation dynamics, EO offers vital, high-resolutioninsightsintotheenvironmentalchallenges of arid and semi-arid zones. These tools enable policymakers to move from crisis response to proactive adaptation, with AI accelerating early-warning capabilities. By integrating science, technology and local knowledge, the MENA region is leveraging EO not just for dataóbut for decisive, community-driven action.
Closing the issue in our Student Voice section, Karam Abuodeh, a Computer Science and Software Engineering student at the University of Birmingham Dubai, UAE, reflects on how cross-sector collaboration is essential to tackling the climate crisis. Drawing on experiences from international climate simulations, COP28 and internships in tech and fintech, Karam emphasizes that sustainable progress depends on uniting technology, policy, education and social justice. Whether simulating global negotiationsororganizingyouth-ledMUNconferences, he argues that empowering diverse voicesóespecially youthóis key to creating resilient, inclusive systems. His article is a call to action for integrated, interdisciplinary approaches to climate leadership.
These brief summaries simply cannot do justice to the complex topics that these writers detail withsuchskillandreverenceforthekeyissuesat stake. I hope youíre inspired to think about how yourownskillsetscanmeaningfullycontributeto solutions in this time of global need.
Apply and join oneofthetop50universities intheworld!
Visiting Associate Professor and Industrial Advisory Board Member, Imperial College London, UK
The capacity to systematically observe and analyze the Earth remotely has become a foundation of modern environmental science, crisis management and infrastructure monitoring. In the wake of these concepts, remote sensing and earth observation have emerged as important tools to address environmental and biodiversity change, monitor and anticipate natural disasters and evaluate the readiness of existing infrastructure. AidedandaugmentedbyAI,theuseof satellite technologies, ground-based systems and airborne ground-based technologies, such as computer vision or other in-situ data or airborne probes (like drones), facilitate advanced and precise analytics to optimize the use of the abundant data collected and capturedoverlongperiodsoftime.Theunleashing of The New Space Economy, which allowed the commercial sector to enter the Space community after it had been monopolized by governments, helped tremendously by opening up new innovation channels for active and high-resolution sensing (at sub meter level).
After completing my PhD at Imperial College London and holding various other positions such asDirectoroftheIntegratedSpaceScienceEngineering Program, Advanced Research Fellow at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Security Fellow at The Institute of Security Science and Technology, I founded Astraterra.OurUK-basedcompanyspecializesin positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) and Earth observation (EO) data modelling and
integration, toward the goal of supporting environmental, social and economic resilience. We serve multiple industries, including connected and smart cities, sustainability and environmental monitoring and resilient infrastructure. Designing for seamless integration into existing workflows, Astraterra adapts evolving technologies and ensures secure, compliant data handling. By fusing multiple data sources, it provides accurate, actionable intelligence and creates tailor-made specialised platforms and applications.
My professional mission inside and outside of Astraterra is to pursue Science, Technology and Innovation with a mindset of inclusion, equity, sustainability and human-connected CONOPS. In the following article, I reflect on both the power of EO and also accessibility-related questions that must be addressed by the international community from my perspective as an industry professional.
Dr.MireilleElhajj CEO and Founder, Astraterra
Visiting Associate Professor and Industrial Advisory Board Member, Imperial College London
EO is not merely about monitoring changes, it is also important for Early Warning Systems and building resilience. By accepting risks and natural hazards, we can understand risk and be better prepared, as well as rebuild more effectively a skill that a country like Japan has mastered given its hazardous geographical location. EO is at the heart of understanding these risks and improving our resilience. Crisis management is among the most common uses of remote sensing. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tropical cyclones and wildfires require an immediate response where satellite images provide a clear overview of affected areas. For example, data from NASAís MODIS and ESA Sentinel-3 satellites facilitated the tracking of fire spreads in near-real time, making recommendations for favorable evacuations and firefighting efforts during the Australian bushfires in 2019 and 2020. Similarly, flood estimation models harness hydrological recreations alongside remote detection information to foretell inundation zones and facilitate evasion efforts.
Similarly, within the energy division thermal imaging is broadly adopted to screen power stations andelectricalnetworks.Byrecognizingheatanomaliesintransformersandsubstations,remotesensing helps detect overheating components before they fail, guaranteeing continuous and efficient energy supply. Also, pipeline systems transporting oil and gas benefits from remote sensing, as satellite-based thermal and hyperspectral imaging can identify leaks and anticipate environmental contamination.
The beauty of EO is that it can also be layered and integrated with other various applications such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems or PNT data to create geofenced maps or, in the example of urban
infrastructure and planning, into Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These innovations are used to analyze traffic designs in cities, optimize road systems and upgrade land-use planning. Remote sensing data aids in disaster preparedness enabling municipal authorities to estimate flooding risks, pinpoint susceptible infrastructure and optimize emergency management strategies in the case of roads, for example.
ChallengesandOpportunities:
Of course, this technology needs to be underpinned by accessibility of data and sophisticated models in addition to parametric solutions, without which no digital shadowing can be created. Various international organizations exist to facilitate access to this data like the United Nationís Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UNSPIDER) and The International Charter: Space and MajorDisasters,aninternationalmechanismthatcan be activated in the case of disasters. Additionally, the UnitedNationsOfficeforOuterSpaceAffairs(UNOOS), UN-SPIDER and a few others act as cooperating bodies, besides the data provided from major space agencies such as NASA, ESA and JAXA.
The global North displays great capabilities in EO and remote sensing through governmental programs such as the European Copernicus or the proliferating commercial ecosystem. They are joined by a few select Asian countries like Japan, and recently India, but the situation in the emerging countries of the Global South is not as advanced as many of these countries donít own the relevant infrastructure, nor the funding and capabilities to level up. Paraguay, for example, when hit by their latest flooding, activated their call to The International Charter, who provided them with a raw data set. Paraguay, however, doesnít have enough in-house capabilities to process the data. Having secured strategic relationships with their
neighbouring countries and leveraging their internationalagreementswiththelikesofJAXA,ESAandNASA and UNSPIDER, they were able to get the data processed for them. The data was then ready to be used and analyzed according to their needs, in addition to a technical mission for support from UNSPIDER. Conversely, this privilege is not always guaranteed for countries who have not secured themselves the necessary political and strategic relationships and agreements.
In a world governed by natural and man-made hazards, cross border collaboration, data sharing and open data policy are crucial. The more diversified these partnerships are, the better protected a country with limited resources is. The secret then doesnít necessarily lie in owning capital intensive assets in space, but rather leveraging the existing rich and diversified capacities out there and harnessing the power of combining open-source and commercial data. The strides that firms have achieved advanced the development of sensor resolution, information processors and the application of AI in data analytics. Growth in commercial satellite constellations, operated by companies like Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies, have made it somehow economically feasible to acquire high-frequency, high-resolution imagery for near real-time Environmental Monitoring; however, not to certain emerging countries with limited funding.
By combining the two types of data in an application-specific platform, one can increase the aptitude and scope of whatís already out there. This combination of data is boosted by AI to re-evaluate anomalies and features seen from radar satellites (for example, inurbanspaces)atanunprecedentedlevelofgranularity.Anadditionalissueisthelastmilethroughcloud capacity and releasing resources to communities who donít have data access to commercial sets.
However, there are fundamental needs in the Global South. The first need being capacity building and
education in the field, and the second is funding this value-add, as commercial data is not free of charge and can be very costly. Despite the fact that many national space agencies acquire this commercial data, combine it with open-source data and offer the solution to its users, independent access to commercial data remains a genuine must, given their valuable contribution to resolution and technique. But various emerging countries donít have a space agency or donít have the right human capabilities. All the above are heavily underpinned by education, capacity building and funding from international communities such astheWorldBankandtheUnitedNationswhocanplay a major role in fostering the exchange of data and the capacitytoprocessandanalyzedatawhenandwhere needed, away from any political levers.
As the world continues to face more pressing challenges, effective bi-lateral and international agreementswillproveincreasinglyimportantforpolicymaking, disaster response and relief communities. However, many challenges lie beyond this, including bandwidth capacity, power and electricity being unavailable, cloud capacity and the absence of a representativeentitywhocandealwithacquiredEOdatasuchas aspaceagencyoradedicatedteam.Thepathmaybe long for some, but there is nothing a consorted effort backed by international organizations that cannot achieve.
Professor Brooks-Wilson, weíre so pleased to havetheopportunitytospeakwithyoutoday in this special issue of UniNewsletter. As is tradition with our Leadership Spotlight interviews, could you please introduce yourself to our readers, including how you came to take up your current post as of Dean of Science at SFU?
Thank you, Iím so pleased to talk with you.
ComingbacktoSFUfeltlikecomingfullcircleto me. I went to SFU as an undergraduate student in Biochemistry, and had what I call the full academic adventure studying in different places, before coming home again. I went to Toronto for a Masterís degree, then studied human genetics for my PhD at the University of British Columbia (UBC), followed by a short post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Washington. I then did something unusual at thetime,andjoinedabiotechnologycompany, Sequana Therapeutics, in San Diego, followed by a company in Vancouver, Xenon Pharmaceuticals. After working in industry for 7 years I was very lucky to have a chance to join the famousGenomeSciencesCentreatBCCancer in Vancouver. I came from an unusual direction from industry back to an academic research environment and it was truly wonderful to arrive there and have full license over what I would investigate in my independent cancergeneticsresearchlab.Buildingonsome existing strengths of BC Cancer in lymphoid
cancers, and collaborating with excellent cancer epidemiologists there, I started working on the genetics of lymphoid cancers, and soon afterward added research on healthy aging, studying exceptionally healthy ëSuper Seniors.í
My initial faculty position was at UBC, but my appointment shifted to SFU in 2008. It was at SFUthatmyinterestinleadershipwaspiqued and grew. My department chair asked if I would lead the departmental graduate program, and I said yes (because someone needed to do it!) but quickly found that it was really satisfying to help graduate students and supervisors resolve issues and get their studies and projects back on track. I and my committee of colleagues clarified timelines and processes, reduced course requirements and created a direct entry pathway for top BSc students to go directly into the PhD program. During this time, I also led the Interdisciplinary Oncology Graduate Program at BC Cancer, and with my colleagues there expandedittobeamulti-institutionalGraduate Specialization.
I was invited to be Associate Chair and then Chair of the Department of Biomedical PhysiologyandKinesiology,andfounditverysatisfying to streamline processes, improve teaching spaces and resolve diverse problems. Iíve found that when you take on leadership of a small thing, and you not only donít
break it but make it work better, you get invited to lead a larger thing, and if you donít break that larger thing, you get invited to lead an even larger thing. During the pandemic, when I hadjustguidedthedepartmentthroughlearning how to put our courses online, and how to helpeachothermanagethatsubstantialchallenge, I was invited to be the Associate Vice-President Research (AVPR) pro tem. After ensuring that an excellent colleague was willing to take over as department Chair, I movedintotheAVPRprotemrole.Thatrolewas superinterestingandsatisfying,withawonderfulteam,andinvolvedhelpingtokeepresearch funded and moving forward during the pandemic. It was very tempting to stay in that role but I was offered the role of Dean of Science, and took it up because it involves responsibility forboththesuccessofpeopleandresearch,as well as the provision of support for faculty members and our undergraduate and graduate students. Though it is a complicated and often challenging role, it is very satisfying to lead the Faculty of Science and help students and scientists in 8 different disciplines achieve their best learning and research.
SFU has positioned itself as a leader in interdisciplinaryresearch,particularlyinenvironmental science and public health. As Dean of Science, how do you see this approach shapingtheuniversityísimpactonglobalenvironmentalchallenges?
Climate research is SFUís top research priority, and the university is moving this research forward through the Vice-President Research and Innovationís unifying project, Community Centred Climate Innovation (C3I). C3I is founded on community partnerships and a commitment to Indigenous perspectives and knowledge.ItinvolvesSFUresearchersandmembers of communities, particularly First Nations communities, in climate resiliency and adaptation research. Research in Faculties across the university is connected to C3I.
IntheFacultyofScience,researchonhydrogen fuel cells led by renowned researchers in our Department of Chemistry, and in the Faculty of Applied Sciences, has led to a commitment to build a Hydrogen Hub on SFUís Burnaby campus. It helps that SFU has an exceptional innovation ecosystem that supports invention and entrepreneurship; one particularly inspira-
tionalstoryishowaprofessorandagraduate student made a discovery and founded the award-winning company IONOMR Innovations, which develops hydrogen fuel cell membranes.
SFUlifesciencesresearchalsorelatesstrongly to environmental research. The department of Biological Sciences includes prominent researchers working on salmon and shark conservation. The Faculty of Health Sciences has a leading multidisciplinary research cluster on planetary health, a field that is informed by environmental health and ecosystem approaches to health. The Department of Earth Sciences is researching the effect of climate change on glaciers and on natural hazards graduates from their program are in high demand by employers. At SFU, awareness of environmental and sustainability issues is high, and I want to give a special shout-out to our SFU student groups who organized, communicated and were key influencers of the universityís decision to proudly divest from fossil fuels.
The School of Environmental Science at SFU wasfoundedtoaddresscomplexenviron-
mental issues through a multidisciplinary lens. Howhasthisinitiativeevolved,andwhatopportunitiesdoesitcreateforresearch,policyimpact andstudentengagement?
SFU is fortunate to have a dedicated Faculty of Environment, underlining the universityís clear commitment to education and research on the environment. Their departments are highly multidisciplinary. The Environmental Science department includes leading researchers on oceans, rivers, watersheds and coastal and subalpine ecosystems, among other topics. The Geography department unites social and physical geography in studies from political economies to earth systems. In the School of Resource and EnvironmentalManagement,socialandnaturalscientists use interdisciplinary research approaches and train students to be agents to improve decision-making in environmental management. And in the renowned SFU Archaeology Department, students can engage in research topics ranging from the megafauna of the distant past to the innovative clam gardens used by British Columbiaís Coast Salish peoples. The fusion of physical and social sciences in the Faculty of Environment supports inter- and multi-disciplinarity, and positions their research and students to make an
Thoughitisa complicatedand oftenchallenging role,itisvery satisfyingtoleadthe FacultyofScience and help students and scientists in 8 different disciplines achieve their best learning and research.
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impact on society in many ways, including through policy impacts.
As you touched on, universities play a critical role in informing public policy. From your perspective, how can academic research at SFU help shape policy decisions on climate resilience,environmentalhealthandenergytransitions?
Research universities like SFU are at the forefront of finding solutions to societal challenges like climate change and finding strategies for mitigation and adaptation to promote climate resilience. At SFU in particular, there is great strength in community-based research and we are truly engaged with our local communities. Policy researchers, particularly those who are part of the School of Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, are part of the community-based research projects that make up the C3I initiative. This positions the research projects, and SFU, to help shape sustainable policy that is based on sound research evidence and an understanding of the needs of communities.
To centralize your own profile as a researcher, yourworkhasfocusedongeneticandenviron-
mental factors in cancer. Could you tell our readers more about this as well as other projectsyouíreworkingon?
My research has two parts, research on cancer (disease) and research on health. In recent years my lab has focused more on our Healthy Aging Study of Super Seniors, who we define as peoplewhoare85-years-oldorolder,andhave never been diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, major pulmonary disease or dementia. So, the trait we are studying is freedom from 5 major diseases of aging, totheageof85.The5diseaseschosenareones that are serious for people and are also very expensive for healthcare systems. Our oldest participants were two brothers who lived to 109 and 110-years-old. It is a positive study to do, because everyone hopes they can qualify to be in it! On the lifestyle side, the most notable thing about the Super Seniors is that they are physically active as active as midlife adults. On the genetics side, we have found variants that correlate with being a Super Senior (they are less likely to carry the known Alzheimer disease risk variant APOE4, and they are more likely to carry a variant in the HP gene that produces haptoglobin, a protein that binds up free hemoglobin released from damaged red blood cells).
A few years ago, we looked at the telomeres (specific DNA sequences that cap the ends of chromosomes) of the Super Seniors, wondering if they would have telomeres that were long for their age. Instead, we found that the group of Super Seniors showed telomere lengths closer to an inferred optimal value, thanthoseofacomparisongroup.Thisfinding motivated us to move to using larger data sets, in particular the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, to ask if there are other traits for which healthy people are closer to previously unrecognized ësweet spots.í I am working withanamazingcollaborator,Dr.LloydElliottat SFU, and together with our graduate students we have found many body and blood measures that show sweet spots implying that these traits are important for healthy aging.
Interdisciplinary research often faces structural barriers, from funding limitations to siloeddepartments.WhatstrategieshasSFU adopted to foster collaboration across disciplines, and what more can be done at the institutionallevel?
SFUhasaninnovativeIndividualizedInterdisciplinary Studies (IIS) Graduate Program, in which graduate students can do interdiscipli-
nary research for their thesis project, supervised by professors in many different disciplines. The IIS program is incredibly flexible, as you can combine any disciplines of study. Dr. Lloyd Elliott and I co-supervise an Interdisciplinary PhD student, who has been able to learn about biology and genetics from me, and has worked with Lloyd to develop new statistical techniques to find sweet spots in biological data, then identify genetic loci that affect how close an individual is to those optimal values. This kind of project is interdisciplinary and innovative, and was also a tremendous amount of fun because all of us were learning from each other at the same time.
Lookingahead,whatareyourtopprioritiesfor advancing interdisciplinary environmental research at SFU? Are there any major initiatives or areas of growth you hope to championinthecomingyears?
As a Dean, I try to balance promotion of really good ideas put forward by others, with my own ideas to help the Faculty of Science and its members, and SFU, succeed. Individual researchers and departments are passionate about their own work, and so encouraging growth of successful collaborative groups within and between departments is one of my main goals. An example is the excitement of rebuilding the capacity of our renowned Pest Management Program, which is more relevant thaneverinthetimeofclimatechange.Others includegrowingclustersofexcellenceinquantum information, and astroparticle physics, in
theSFUPhysicsdepartment,theonlydepartment in Canada to have two Canada Excellence Research Chairs.
I am also very enthusiastic about our Faculty of Science strategies to enhance the experiences of undergraduate students. This includes programs of interest to students who aspire to careers in health research, including at the new SFU Medical School. SFU is a great place to be a student efforts will eventually bear fruit.
In an age struggling with the burden of climate change, pollution and an existential imperative to become sustainable, it has become ever clearer that there are no silver bullets in any one discipline. Having worked on the interface between science, policy, health and education for many years, I have grown to be convincedódeeply and irrevocablyóof the power of interdisciplinary cooperation to create positive change.
This conviction has not only influenced the studies I undertake. It has informed my leadership, taught my classes and reinforced my
passion in addressing thorny environmental issues that impact real people in real-time.
AJourneyBasedonPurpose
As Chair of the Department of Environment, Health and Safety at the College of Health Sciences at Abu Dhabi University (ADU), United Arab Emirates (UAE) Iíve had the opportunity to contribute to the academic success of the worldís future environmental stewards. With my colleagues in the college, weíve developed programs that not only impart knowledge but also fuel curiosity, test assumptions and prioritize action.
My classesóon subjects ranging from environmental policy to pollution monitoringóare not theoretical exercises. They are designed to engage science with the communities we serve, encouraging students to critically evaluate the world in which they live and their place within it.
My work doesnít end at the classroom door, however. Iíve also had the privilege to represent the UAE on the world stage on a number of fronts, including as a member of the High-Level UN Food Systems Advisory Board, working to address sustainability and food security in an ever-changing climate. Here in the UAE, I serve as the local chapter leadership of Women in Renewable Energy Canada (WiRE), fighting to achieve gender parity in the energy industry and promoting initiatives that develop sustainable innovations throughout the nation. Additionally, I serve as the cluster lead forpublichealthandclimatechangeattheMinistry of Environmental and Climate Change, where I overseeinitiativesthatbridgethecriticalintersection of human health and environmental sustainability.
WhereDisciplinesMeet,InnovationEmerges
If Iíve learned one thing over and over again, itís this:thebiggestbreakthroughsarefoundincrossroads. Interdisciplinary science does not exist to follow a trendóitís a necessity. Environmental issues are never purely scientific. They are economic, technological, social and political. Solving them demands a confluence of expertise and a desire to enable collaborations across boundaries.
My own path of inquiry started with radiation scienceóin particular, measuring concentrations ofradionuclidesinagriculturalsoilsthroughgamma-ray spectrometry. This initial work informed
meofthevalueofknowingabouthazards in the environment in granular terms. It also paved the way to even greater, more interdisciplinary questions.
Inarecentstudy,weemployedGaussianProcess regression modelsóa machine learning approachóto create maps of radiation levels in soils in the UAE. This was not merely a technical success. It was a multidisciplinary success that converged on data science, geostatistics, public health and environmental monitoring to create maps that can be used by policymakers to take action.
In the same vein, our work on sustainable smart cities involved working with experts in fields such as engineering, city planning and policy to probe what it would mean to turn Abu Dhabi into a city fit for the future: resilient, inclusive and fundamentally human-centric.
From Wind Turbines to Wastewater: A Broader Perspective
One project that I found to be really inspiring was the Vortex Bladeless Wind Turbinesóa new kind of renewable energy device with the potential to transform the way cities power themselves.
Through a fusion of experimental design and numerical simulation, we studied aerodynamics, structural efficiency and environmental advantages. Once again, it was the fusion of disciplines that brought this work to fruition. Similarly urgent is what weíve accomplished in nuclear wastewater. With growing energy demandsworldwideandthegrowthofnuclear options, the environmental hazards posed by radioactive wastewater canít be dismissed. Our study explored treatment technology and policy recommendations to help ensure these systems are not only reliable but sustainable.
Where Science Intersects with Health and Behavior
One of the closest to my heart is probably the interface between public health and environmental science. In a study in the UAE into improper drug disposal, we revealed an alarming disparity: plenty of public knowledge but low levels of safe disposal. Medicines were being disposed of through household waste, risking harm to both the environment and people.
More than scientific knowledge is needed to solve this type of issue. Behavioral knowledge, cultural sensitivity, as well as systems thinking are needed. Our proposalsóinvolving take-back initiatives and public information
campaignsórepresented an interdisciplinary, all-inclusive approach.
And the same interdisciplinary thinking informed our recent work in a national indoor-air-quality research strategy. Poor indoor-air-quality isn't a technical problemóitís a public-health emergency. By blending policy systems, input from stakeholders and environmental-health information, we developed a roadmap for actionable transformation.
TurningResearchintoPolicy
For me, research is strongest when it crosses the laboratory walls and out into the world. ThathasinformedmyfocusonaligningIndustry 4.0 technology with poverty alleviation effortsóusing AI and blockchain not as innovationsintheirownright,butasinstrumentsof equity and effect. This conceptual frame based on Sustainable Development Goal 1 is one more instance of what occurs when fields converge on the basis of values.
RecognitionandResponsibility
I am indebted to the professional awards I have receivedóincluding my Chartered Scientist designation by the Science Council and the Institution of Environmental Sciences.
Since these owe their existence to the demands of my work and not to any extraneous factors, they are not awards in the classical sense.
My advisory rolesóboth international and localóhave underscored another important truth: policy and science must work hand in hand. Itís not enough to know. We must act.
Reflections&LookingAhead
Reflectingonmypathsofar,someguidingprinciples have long informed my work and leadership approach. Above all else, Iíve found that authentic innovation is grounded in cooperationówhere different minds and disciplines cross-pollinate, the outcome is often greater than the sum of individual contributions. No less of a priority is a commitment to equity. Science has to serve all populations, particularly those traditionallyunderservedormarginalized.Inclusivity isnít only a moral imperative; itís key to achieving sustainable development objectives. And finally, visionary leadership has an important role in creating spaces in which curiosity, critical thinking and impact-driven work can germinate.
AtADU,Iworktocreateanenvironmentinwhich both students and academics are empowered to question, to curiously examine in a spirit of wonder and inquiry and innovate with purpose.
All these reflections continue to influence not only the way I lead but also the way I imagine the future of environmental scienceóa future that is collaborative, equitable and actively engaged with the world in which it lives.
Inconclusion
Excellence in research today isnít merely a matter of depth in one areaóit's about breadth, connectivity and purpose. Interdisciplinary science is powerful because it crosses divides:betweendisciplines,betweenpractice and theory and ultimately between people and the planet we all call home.
From this perspective my path has not only been a job, but a calling career defined by teamwork, fueled by inquiring minds and based on the premise that we are better together.
Letís continue to build bridges. Our future depends on it.
Dr.FaresHowari Dean, College of Humanities and Sciences Ajman University, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
FromSatellitetoPolicy:
How Earth Observation is Driving Sustainable Development in Arid Regions
This article explores how satellite Earth Observation (EO), coupled with AI and interdisciplinary collaboration, is revolutionizing sustainable development in arid regions by providing scalable solutions for water security, land restoration and policy integration. EO satellites, operating in geosynchronous and low Earth orbits (ranging from 160 to 36,000 kilometers), are fundamentally altering our comprehension and governance of global arid environments. These technological systems offer unprecedented capabilities for monitoring and analyzing desert ecosystems that have historically challenged traditional observation methods.
The integration of multi-spectral imagery and synthetic aperture radar has transi-
tioned environmental monitoring from rudimentary visual assessments to sophisticated quantitative analysis, significantly impacting resource management initiatives. The implementation of these observation platforms enables comprehensive evaluation of critical environmental parameters in water-limited ecosystems, facilitating evidence-based decision-making in areas like hydrological resource allocation and agricultural productivity optimization. These advancements represent a paradigm shift in environmental governance, moving from reactive interventions to proactive adaptation strategies that significantly enhance climate resilience for vulnerablepopulationsandinstitutionsinarid regions.
Arid and semi-arid regions, particularly across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), are increasingly vulnerable to climate stressors. Water scarcity, soil degradation, salinization and desertification are not distant threatsótheyíre already impacting millions of lives.
Traditional field-based monitoring struggles to keep pace with the scale and urgency of these changes. Thatís where space-based technologiesstepin.Modernsatellites,especially those equipped with hyperspectral sensors, can detect hundreds of spectral bandsófar beyond the capabilities of the human eye or standard optical cameras.
This fine spectral resolution enables scientists to monitor minute variations in vegetation health, soil chemistry and water presence. For instance, specific salt minerals reflect light in unique patterns across the electromagnetic spectrum. By matching satellite data with ground-based libraries of spectral signatures, researchers can detect soilsalinizationwellbeforeitbecomesvisibly evident.
ìHyperspectralimaginggivesustheabilityto detect salt-affected soils at early stages,î explains a UAE-based environmental geochemist. ìWe can now pinpoint salinity hotspots before they impact crop yields or groundwater quality.î
This is particularly crucial in the Gulf, and MENA region, where the twin pressures of
seawater intrusion and over-irrigation are degrading valuable agricultural land.
Beyond Pretty Pictures: From Data to Decisions
While satellite imagery may appear visually compelling, its true value lies in the transformation of data into actionable insights. Across MENA, cross-disciplinary teams are dissolving the traditional barriers between space science, environmental monitoring andpublicpolicy.Onetechnicalhurdleisthe ìmixed pixel problem,î where individual pixels in satellite images represent more thanonelandcovertypeóvegetation,water, bare soil or urban structures. To tackle this, researchers use algorithms to unmix these pixels and extract ìendmembersîópure spectral signatures that correspond to specific materials or surfaces. This improved precision is not just academic. Governments use it to develop high-resolution environmental maps that inform decisions about land use, soil remediation and disaster preparedness. For example, ministries of agriculture can identify degraded zones and target interventionsósaving both time and resources.
Water Security Through Space-Based Insights
In no area is the impact of EO more pronouncedthanwaterresourcemanagement. In drylands, water is the linchpin of life, livelihoods and geopolitics.
Tools like the Normalized Difference Water Index(NDWI)andLandSurfaceTemperature (LST) allow scientists to monitor surface water changes, estimate soil moisture and even detect groundwater depletion. In more advanced models, thermal, hyperspectral and microwave data are integrated to study complex hydrological systems like desert oases.
These insights are directly feeding into national policies. In countries like the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia, EO informs decisionsonsustainablegroundwaterextraction and drought management.
The implementation of these observation platforms facilitates comprehensive evaluation of critical environmental parameters in water-limited ecosystems, enabling evidence-based decision-making processes in domains including hydrological resource allocation and agricultural productivity optimization. Consequently, environmental management in arid regions is evolving from a model of crisis response to one of proactive anticipation and timely action, preventing scenarios like wells running dry before intervention occurs. Such technological advancements represent a paradigm shift in environmental governance frameworks, transitioning from reactive intervention strategies to proactive adaptation methodologies that significantly enhance climate resilience capacities among vulnerable populations and administrative institutions in arid regions.
TheAIAccelerator
The synergy between EO and artificial intelligence (AI) marks the next evolution in environmental monitoring. By analysing decadesí worth of satellite data, AI models are helping researchers predict ecological shifts with increasing accuracy.
Machinelearningalgorithmscannowforecast desertification and salinization hotspots by spotting early warning signs invisi-
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ble to human analysts. These insights enablegovernmentstodeployconservation resources before damage becomes irreversible. In a recent initiative, AI models flagged degradation zones by analyzingchangingvegetationdynamics and spectral reflectance. The resulting maps helped direct efforts to rehabilitate grazing lands and protect aquifer recharge zones across vast desert tracts.
From Lab to Landscape: Bridging ScienceandSociety
Even the most sophisticated technology canít drive change on its own. The finalóand perhaps most criticalóstep is turning scientific insight into community-level action and public policy.
Across MENA, universities, governments and NGOs are working together to train municipal planners, farmers and local leaders in interpreting and applying satellite-derived data. From digital dashboards to mobile apps, efforts are underway to democratize access to EO and ensure it reaches those on the frontlines of environmental decision-making.
Recognizing that environmental problems are inherently interdisciplinary, successful sustainable development pro...environmental managementinarid regionsisevolvingfrom amodelofcrisis responsetooneof proactiveanticipation andtimelyaction, preventingscenarioslike wellsrunningdrybefore interventionoccurs
jects in arid regions prioritize collaboration from their inception. This integrated approach, involving scientists, engineers and policymakers from day one, ensures that satellite data is not confined to academic circles. Instead, it actively informs and shapes tangible outcomes, including zoning laws, climate adaptation plans and even the content of school curricula.
As climate change intensifies, arid and semi-arid regions will face growing pressure on ecosystems, agriculture and urban infrastructure. Earth observation technologiesóespecially when enhanced by AI and grounded in local knowledgeóoffer a roadmap for sustainable development in these fragile landscapes. The next step is expandingaccess.Thismeanscreatingopen data platforms, investing in local research capacity and building regional centers of excellence that merge technical innovation with on-the-ground impact.
In the end, satellites arenít just floating marvels of engineering. They are instruments of survival, charting a path toward resilience in someoftheworldísmostvulnerableenvironments. By transforming how we see our planet,weírelearningtoprotectitmorewiselyóeven in its driest corners.
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University of Birmingham Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Todayís climate crisis calls for more than just the knowledge of scientists and the dedication of decision-makers. It requires a team effort that spans communities, disciplines and industries. As environmental issues become more complicated, it is evident that real progress can only be made by breaking down traditional silos, combining innovation and education, technology and policy and making sure that solutions are based on social and economic justice.
Throughout my journey studying Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Birmingham Dubai, Iíve seen just how essential cross-sector collaboration has become. From participating in international climate simulations and attending global conferences to working within the tech and fintech industries, every experience has reinforced one simple reality: the climate crisis can only be solvedwhendiversefieldsworktogethertoward a common goal.
Simulating Diplomacy: Lessons from the COP CapacityBuildingProgram
One of the most formative opportunities Iíve had was participating in the COP Capacity Building Program. With the support of Dr. Rasha Bayoumi, Head of Research, and Natalie Humphrey, Deputy Director of Operations, I was selected to take part in the program, which prepared students to understand and engage
with real-world climate negotiations. During the programís week-long COP29 simulation in Egypt, I had the privilege of representing my team during tense rounds of negotiations as Head of Delegation for Jordan.
The depth of the climate challenge was demonstrated by the two main themes we addressed: ìInvesting in Human Capital, HealthandJobsforaClimate-ResilientFutureî and ìBridging the Digital Divide for Equitable Climate Action.î The focus is not only about cutting emissions; itís about making sure that technology, education and opportunity are available to everyone, especially the most vulnerable. Climate resilience is built when communities are empowered, educated and equippedónot just when technologies are deployed.
This experience shaped how I see global climate policy today. Itís not enough to innovate in isolation or legislate in a vacuum. Real progress happens when innovation, education, policy and social equity come together
FromSimulationtoReality:InsideCOP28.
In2023,Ihadtheincredibleprivilegeofattending COP28 in Dubai, within the Blue Zoneóthe heart of global climate negotiations. Walking into that space, surrounded by world leaders, changemakersanddelegatesfromacrossthe globe, was a powerful reminder of how urgent and collective this fight has become.
Over the course of the day, I attended leadership panels, heard speeches from influential people like President Emmanuel Macron, and spokewithrepresentatives,leadersofnon-governmental organizations and entrepreneurs from all over the world.
One theme emerged repeatedly in all of the speeches and conversations: technology cannotaddressclimatechangeonitsown.Bold policies, inclusive finance and a dedication to empowering marginalized communities must be combined with it. One of the most memorable moments was hearing Dr. Sultan Al Jaberís speech, in which he emphasized the urgent
needtotriplerenewableenergycapacity,phase down fossil fuels and reform climate finance. His words made it clear: meeting the climate challenge will demand transformational shifts not only in technology, but also in political will and financial systems.
My perspective on climate leadership has been influencedbymypersonalexperienceatCOP28. While innovation is important, true transformationoccurswhenweestablishmechanismsthat make sustainable advancement non-negotiableócreating systems that bind societies, businesses and governments together for a common goal.
YouthLeadershipandResilience:UoBDMUN'25
Thisbeliefinbuildingbridgesalsoshaped my work as Secretary General of UoBDMUN'25, the first Model United Nations conference hosted by the University of Birmingham Dubai. Our theme, ìBridging Divides, Building Resilience: A Call for Global Unity in Crisis,î reflected exactly what I had learned from my earlier experiences. We wanted to highlight how sustainable development, especially climate action, requires confronting political, economic and social divides head-on. Sustainability permeated every discus-
sion and topic, not only the United NationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP) committee. Whether delegates talked about public health, economic recovery or refugee crises, they always returned to the same conclusion: inclusive, sustainable foundations are necessary for resilient futures.
Putting together UoBDMUN'25 made me realize how crucial youth leadership is to the global climate discussion. MUN is more than simply a simulation; itís a setting that promotes collaboration, empathy and diplomatic skills, preparing the next generation to lead change in the real world.
Beyond the world of diplomacy and policy, my academic and professional experiences have demonstrated how technology can be a powerful tool in advancing sustainabilityóbut only when used thoughtfully.
DuringmyinternshipwiththeEmergingTechnology team at PwC Middle East, I worked on projectsthatcombinedinnovationandsustainability. I saw firsthand how technology can be a key component in developing more sustainable systems, from investigating how new technologies could enhance supply chain transparency to developing smarter infrastructure models. Similar to this, at Dell Technologies I observed how big tech firms are integrating sustainability into their core business processes, from encouraging responsible product lifecycles to optimizing data center energy use. These encounters strengthened my belief that the cutting-edge sectors of the economy today are those that acknowledge environmental responsibility as an inspiration for technological advancement. During my internship at Mamo Pay and PayNest in the fintech industry, I witnessed firsthand how digital-firstsolutionsareloweringenvironmental footprints by streamlining operations and getting rid of conventional resource-intensive systems. I also discovered how technology, specifically through solutions for sustainable urban mobility, is making cities smarter and more sustainable during my internship at Hala (RTA Careem).
Across every experience, the common thread was clear: responsible technology use holds immense potential to drive sustainable change
BuildingtheFuture:ACallforCross-Sector Action
Looking back, one key lesson ties all these experiences together: interdisciplinary collaboration isnít just beneficial, itís essential.
Climate change isnít just an environmental issue; itís intertwined with technology, public health, education, economics and social justice. The solutions we seek must be as interconnected as the challenges themselves.
To bring about long-lasting change, governments and innovators must collaborate and pool theirstrengths.Inordertopromotecross-disciplinary problem solving, educational institutions should push students to think beyond conventional limits. By incorporating sustainability into their basic principles, businesses can make a significant contribution and make sure itís not a last-minute priority. The communities most impacted by climate change should receive climatefinancesotheycantaketheleadininitiatives to increase resilience. Additionally, given that they will be the ones affected, young people need to be actively involved in developing solutions at every level.
Our goal isnít just to protect ecosystems; itís to build systems that safeguard communities, economies and future generations.
The bridges we choose to build today across industries, fields and nations will shape whether we can meet the climate challenge ahead. For our generation, the opportunity to lead this change has never been more urgent or more necessary.
