Dr Hind Al Ameri is a marine conservation scientist with more than a decade of experience advancing environmental protection and species conservation in the UAE. She joined the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) in 2014 and currently leads the Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation Section, playing a central role in safeguarding marine biodiversity and strengthening national conservation frameworks.

Dr Al Ameri holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Exeter. Her academic and professional work focuses on the conservation of threatened marine species, particularly marine turtles and other marine megafauna, with an emphasis on translating science into effective conservation action.

Beyond her scientific work, Dr Al Ameri is deeply committed to environmental education and community engagement. She is the author of children’s books that introduce young readers to the UAE’s marine environment, aiming to inspire curiosity, awareness, and a sense of responsibility towards nature from an early age.

Throughout her career, Dr Al Ameri has contributed to national and regional conservation efforts across the Gulf, advocating for collaborative, science-led approaches to protect marine ecosystems and ensure their resilience for future generations.

Noura is a passionate marine biologist who is committed to preserving the precious underwater ecosystems of the Arabian Gulf. Her love for the ocean stems from a childhood spent playing on the sandy shores of Abu Dhabi, and she has dedicated her life to studying and protecting the fragile underwater ecosystems of the region.

As a specialist at the Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation team at EAD, Noura is on the front lines of marine conservation efforts in the UAE. Her work involves monitoring and assessing the health of coral reefs and seagrass meadows, identifying critical areas for protection, and developing strategies to restore damaged ecosystems.

But Noura's expertise goes far beyond her work at EAD. She is also a PhD candidate at Bangor University in the UK, where she is studying the complex ecology and physiology of seagrass in the southern Gulf. Her research has the potential to provide key insights into the functioning of these vital underwater ecosystems and could help inform future conservation efforts in the region.

Noura's dedication to marine conservation is apparent not just in her academic and professional work, but in her personal life as well. In her free time, she volunteers with local environmental groups and leads educational programmes for school children, helping to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

With her passion, dedication, and expertise, Noura is a key player in the fight to protect the precious marine ecosystems of the UAE and beyond.

Aisha Al Mazroui is a Project Manager and Analyst at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi – a role she has held since June 2020. She started her career the first 2 years in IT industry then joined the organisation in 2018 as an Outreach Programme Co-ordinator, before promotion to Project Co-ordinator a year later.

With a strong passion for the environment and empowering the younger generation in working towards environmental sustainability, Aisha possesses excellent knowledge of environmental sustainability and is well versed in managing projects and planning programmes and events. As well as strong writing and communication skills, Aisha is a highly capable problem solver and adopts creative learning approaches to help EAD achieve maximum results.

Aisha studied at UCAM – Spain and has a master’s degree in business Energy and Sustainability. Bachelors in environmental science from Abu Dhabi University. And an official certification in Circular Economy and Sustainability strategies from Cambridge judge business school. Key projects Lead youth congress at the World Environmental Education Congress and brought and managed Baadr App to existing (now known as Naha).

Nessrine Alzahlawi is an Expert with the Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation Section at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. She is an aquatic ecologist and environmental policy professional, currently leading the set-up and implementation of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative within the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

She has over 17 years of experience in the field of nature conservation and restoration, in the UAE and internationally, having previously worked at the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

She holds an MSc in Aquatic Biology and Resources Management from the University of Exeter. Nessrine is passionate about science-based environmental action and communicating the value of nature and ecosystems, while involving the wider community in biodiversity conservation.

Dr Himansu Sekhar Das is currently working as an Expert in the Marine Species and Habitat Programmes at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. His expertise includes marine species and habitat research, including the conservation, management, and restoration of habitats.

Currently, he is involved in research programmes that include survey and monitoring of marine mammals, dugong, and sea turtles of the Northwestern Indian Ocean region, as well as the mapping, characterisation, and conservation of seagrass and mangrove ecosystems.

He currently holds several voluntary positions, including Regional Co-Chair of the IUCN Sirenian Specialist Group and a member of the Marine Turtle Specialist Group.

Nicolas Heard is currently the Acting Director General of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund – an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies. This is a philanthropic organisation established in Abu Dhabi in 2008 to support species conservation activities worldwide through small grants and conservation partnerships. It has evolved to also develop international conservation partnerships with corporates and global funding agencies.

He has been with the Fund since it first began to accept grant applications in early 2009. He is a member of the UAE IUCN National Committee and the IUCN/SSC Species Monitoring Specialist Group.

Since 2010 he has also been a member of the award selection committee of the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) – a conservation grants and capacity building partnership of Fauna and Flora, Wildlife Conservation Society and BirdLife International. Nicolas is also a member of the Reverse the Red Accelerator Awards Advisory Board.

Dr Elise Marquis is a marine ecologist with more than 20 years of experience in research and consultancy across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including more than 17 years focused on the ecosystems of the Arabian Gulf. Her work centers on coastal and pelagic ecosystems, marine food-web dynamics, planktonic communities, and broader questions of ecosystem functioning, biodiversity, and resilience.

Since June 2021, Elise has led the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, overseeing the Center’s missions and operations, including scientific research, marine wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and educational initiatives that support regional marine conservation.

A key priority of her current work is advancing seagrass research and conservation in the Arabian region and beyond, highlighting the role of seagrass meadows as key coastal ecosystems to investigate and protect through collaborative science-based initiatives.

Abdelmenam Mohamed is based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he leads the Coordinating Unit of the Dugong Memorandum of Understanding Secretariat at the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Office in Abu Dhabi. He oversees regional coordination and technical support for the conservation of dugongs and their critical seagrass habitats, working closely with governments and partners to strengthen science-based policy, capacity building, and implementation.

With over 15 years of experience across the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Environment Programme, he has contributed to environmental governance, regional assessments, and science–policy initiatives, including the Global Environment Outlook and strategic foresight and digital transformation efforts.

Abdelmenam holds a doctorate in Natural Sciences from Leuphana University of Lüneburg, along with graduate and undergraduate degrees in environmental protection and environmental studies, and has a strong professional interest in marine conservation, seagrass ecosystems, and translating science into practical policy action.