ZAINAB A. ALWAZZAN
BSc., PGD, MSc., PhD
Research Interests
My research focuses mainly on the biology and the ecology of brachyuran crabs, which covers a wide range of multiple topics like reproductive biology, population ecology, feeding ecology, distribution patterns, hatching rhythm, larval release, and settlement. I believe in studying several biological aspects is very essential to understand the organism from different dimension and its role in the community. Such an approach can have a better outcome to inform both fisheries management and the establishment of conservation measures. My research also focuses on intertidal fisheries and the impact of human activities on the intertidal community. I am also interested in studying adaptation/behavior in the reproduction and feeding of crabs. The interaction between organisms is another area that attracts my attention along with the effects of environmental factors on crabs in the Arabian Gulf, especially under the influence of the climate change. I focus my research locally in Kuwait to better understand crab species, and to gain a wider knowledge of the ecology of the intertidal habitats, in the northwest Arabian Gulf. I am also interested in regional marine environmental studies in collaboration with scientists across the Gulf.
Working Experience
Field and Lab Skills
Intertidal field survey.
Questionnaire survey.
Sea bird, marine mammals’ surveys.
Foreshore and Underwater Surveys
Marine mammals autopsy (whale, dolphin, and porpoise).
Preparing samples for histological and electron microscopy examination.
Handling light microscopy and electron microscopy (Scanning and Transmission).
Micro-dissection technique (copepods and crustacean larvae).
Stable Isotope analysis technique (Food web and trophic ecology).
Drawing using camera Lucida.
Statistical analysis software:
SPSS, PRIMER, Sigma Plot, and R.
LFDA (Length frequency distribution analysis) software package with analytical tools to guide and assist stock assessment (estimating growth parameters and mortality rates from fish length-frequency distributions)
Image J (Image processing program designed for scientific multidimensional images).
Additional Skills:
Fluent in speaking, reading, and writing of Arabic and English, and Intermediate level in Spanish (reading, writing, and speaking).
PADI Advanced Open Water diver
Nature photography (specialty in microphotography).
Adobe Photoshop, Audio, and Video Editing Software.
“Research means that you don’t know, but are willing to find out”
— Charles F. Kettering