My current research is focused on effectively integrating state-of-the-art Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technologies into commercial settings, specifically for intensive hydroponic cultivation of high-value crops. "I am presently coordinate the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Technology research group at the University of Plymouth (UK), overseeing our initiatives and advancements in this field. You can find more information about our research group at
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/controlled-environment-agriculture-research-group. I possess a profound interest in the field of micro-propagation and have actively engaged in research on artificial seed production. My previous research endeavors have encompassed in-depth studies on cauliflower and ornamental plant tissue culture. Furthermore, my passion extends to exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying plant abiotic stress tolerance, wherein I have delved into monitoring gene expression profiles and regulatory networks for enhancing crop genetic control. Notably, my research contributions include the application of biomolecular techniques to bolster wheat and cauliflower resistance against abiotic stresses such as drought, cold, and salinity. In acknowledgment of my significant research endeavors, I received the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Award for Early Career Researchers in the Expert Category from Plymouth University in 2012. Additionally, I am privileged to serve as a Consulting Professor of Vertical Farming at King Abdulaziz for Science and Technology (KACST) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and as a Visiting Professor at Jeddah University, also situated in KSA.
1. External assessor of the Higher Diploma in Environmental Sustainability at Tabuk University, 2019. 2. Member of the external review panel for grant proposals of the International Corporation Program /Jeddah University/KSA (2018). 3. Member of the Royal Society of Biology (from March 2017 to present). 4. Higher Education Academy (HEA) UK (since 2010). 5. Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) (2009 - 2016). 6. International Society for Horticulture Science (ISHS) (2011-2013). 7. Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) (2010-2011).
8. Postgraduate Society/University of Plymouth/ (from 2010 -2014)/
acted Chairman
of the Society for the year 2012.
9. Plymouth University Graduate Committee (2012-2013). 10. School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences Research Committee (2012-2013). 11. School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences Safety Committee (2012-2013). 12. Topic editor at “Plants” journal. 13. Editorial board member in Anbar Journal of Agricultural Science (ISSN: 19927479 / EISSN: 26176211). 14. Editorial board member in “Journal of University of Babylon” for Pure and Applied Sciences, (JUBPAS). Online ISSN: 2312-8135. Print ISSN: 1992-0652
15. I am currently a reviewer for the several peer review journals.
1. I have supervised a number of undergraduate studentswith their Honours Projects at both Damascus and Plymouth Universities. I havealso co-supervised 2 visiting Postdoctoral Fellows from Egypt and Iraq at Plymouth University 2. I also supervised PhD student at the University of Plymouth/UK. Her thesis was under the title of “The influence of exogenously applied “anti-stress” agents in the upregulation of the drought response in Iraqi wheat varieties “. She defended her thesis successfully. 3. I also supervised several ResM student and taught master students.