Our Alumni Board

Saif Al–Ghais

Saif Al–Ghais – is a marine biologist dedicated to the cause of environmental conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in the Arabian Gulf.

Currently, Dr. Al Ghais is the Director General of the Environment Protection & Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. In addition, he is an Adjunct Professor at Western Washington University, U.S.A. Earlier he had been working in the UAE University as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology and Head of the Marine Environment Research Section. He has also served as the Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Environmental Authority from 1996 to 2001.

Dr. Al Ghais received B.Sc. in Biological Science from Seattle Pacific University, U.S.A. and Ph.D. in Marine Biology from the University of Liverpool, U.K. He has published over sixty research papers in peer- reviewed journals and participated in over 100 national and international symposiums/conferences. He has the honor of being Fulbright scholar and visiting scientist/faculty at several academic institutions around the world. He has been invited by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Center Honolulu Laboratory and Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory at Sequim, Washington to undertake collaborative research programs in marine sciences.

He is well known for his contribution to some pioneer projects in the UAE such as characterization and compilation of fish species inhabiting the UAE waters, the rehabilitation and conservation of mangrove ecosystem, the conservation of sea turtles and Dugong and the impact assessment of environmental pollution.

Dr. Al-Ghais has been also contributing to the environmental protection and management efforts of other government and non-government organizations on the national and international level. He serves as the Vice-Chair for Western Indian Ocean IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group, and Adjunct Professor at Western Washington University.