Mohammed, a Saudi marine biologist, grew up enthralled by the vibrant diversity of the Red Sea, just outside his doorstep in Jeddah. He pursued his passion at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), earning a BSc in marine biology. During his studies, he actively participated in several coral reef research projects, including one that investigated the health of reefs through protein, chlorophyll, and zooxanthellae analysis. He also interned with a collaborative project between KAU and IFM-GEOMAR in Germany.

Driven by a deep desire to understand and conserve marine ecosystems, Mohammed ventured to Australia for his master's in marine biology at James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville. This enriching experience immersed him in the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, where he worked with sea turtles and contributed to the JCU Turtle Health Research Center's head-start program. Under the guidance of Prof Ellen Ariel and Prof Lin Schwarzkopf, his MSc project investigated the fascinating link between behavior (personal traits, consumption, and activity) and growth in juvenile green turtles. After graduating from JCU in 2021, Mohammed returned to KAU as a Faculty Lecturer, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of marine biologists.

Currently, Mohammed is a PhD student in marine science at KAUST’s Reef Ecology Lab, supervised by Prof Michael Berumen. His research focuses on unraveling the ontogenetic mortality of sea turtles in Saudi Arabia. He aspires to leverage his knowledge to contribute to the effective conservation and sustainable management of these remarkable creatures, ensuring their continued survival for generations to come.