Biography :

Dr. Assad Al-Thukair is an associate professor in bioengineering. He received his M.Sc. degree from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, USA in 1985, and his Ph.D. from Boston University, Boston, USA in 1991. He chaired the chemistry department from 1998-2004 and the life sciences department from 2014-2017. He has been a consultant to the Minister of Water and Environment since 2010. He is a member of the GESAMP-Ballast Water Working Group at IMO. Dr. Al-Thukair received several scientific awards including; UNESCO, Fulbright, British Council, and the Regional Organization Award for Protection of the Marine Environment for his efforts during the 1991 oil spill crisis. His research focuses on biodegradation of PAH by bacteria and calcium carbonate recycling by endolithic cyanobacteria.   He published many scientific papers related to marine pollution and oil biodegradation in the Arabian Gulf. He is an active member of several national and international scientific societies including; ROPME, UNESCO, and IMO. 

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Education :

• Ph.D. in Environmental Ecology, Boston University, Boston, U.S.A, 1991
• MSc. in Environmental Ecology, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, U.S.A, 1985
• BSc. in Biology, Basra University, Basra, Iraq,1979

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Courses Taught in KFUPM

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Courses Taught Outside KFUPM: