A sustainable energy professional and enthusiast . With over a decade of experience in the sustainability and energy field, especially in Saudi Arabia, I am dedicated to bringing forward any organization that I may join, developing and maintaining a sustainability strategy that balances between economic, environmental and social sustainability, and contributing my growing technical knowledge and expertise in energy, sustainability, and the environment. I am passionate about the kingdom’s grand transformation towards sustainability and have been dedicated to achieving this dream. 

Experience​

King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC)
  • Position: Senior Research Associate
  • Location: Riyadh, KSA 
  • Dates: 08/2016 – Current
Working with several stakeholders and conducting the following:
  • Developed an energy economic model to optimize sustainability indicators in the agriculture sector, using linear programing in the GAMS environment.
  • Constructing sustainability transition pathways for Saudi Arabia, using the systems of innovation framework.
  • Exploring the use of blockchain technology in the energy sector.
  • Decision science study in the GCC on energy and sustainability, using in-house developed K-TAB.
 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mechanical Engineering Department
  • Position: Visiting Scholar
  • Location: Cambridge, MA, USA.
  • Dates: 11/2015 – Current
Conducting research on sustainability in the energy and water sectors, and energy-water nexus in Saudi Arabia.

AREVA
  • Position: Manager, Strategy and Marketing
  • Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Dates: 02/2013 – 05/2016
Helped establish the office of the French multinational nuclear energy company in Riyadh to contribute to the establishment of the nuclear sector; assumed the following roles:
  • Establishing and maintaining good relationships with key stakeholders in the Kingdom in the energy domain.
  • Strategic positioning of AREVA in the Saudi market through market research and competition analysis
  • Developing an understanding of AREVA’s nuclear technology and that of its competitors
  • Communicate AREVA’s sustainability-focused set of products and services to concerned stakeholders
  • Consulting services: writing proposals and managing competitive bidding processes and executing projects – winning two R&D projects: (i) sustainable desalination, and (ii) nuclear radioactive modeling.
  • Developing sustainability-focused educational outreach program which entails human capacity building in nuclear energy in collaboration with potential educational partners
  • Assisting in developing the industrial supply chain in collaboration with potential Saudi suppliers
  • Planning and executing the Internship Program which involved reaching out to universities, presenting to engineering students, gathering interests, screening CVs, shortlisting, interviewing, selecting potential candidates, finalizing requirements to travel and spend 3-12 months in France and/or Germany.
  • Planning and executing events including: Suppliers Day series, Nuclear Training series, Nuclear Suppliers Learning Tours, Education Day, Universities Roadshows, and Internship Days.
Centre for Global Energy Studies
  • Position: Research Assistant (Part-time)
  • Location: London, UK
  • Dates: 12/2004 - 02/2005
Conducting research on renewable energy, the oil industry and Saudi Arabia’s economic development for the center's publications in the ‘Oil and Gas Journal’. Attending the center’s executive retreats, conferences, and seminars. 

Education

The Kaufman Teaching Certificate
Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Year: 2017
Location: Cambridge, MA, USA.

The KTCP certificate was created for MIT graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who wish to develop their teaching skills. It covers the following: Designing a Course and Constructing a Syllabus, Interactive Teaching & Active Learning, Planning and Facilitating a Class Session, Constructing Effective Assignments, Problem Sets & Exam Questions, Teaching Inclusively, Teaching Philosophy Statement, Videorecorded Microteaching Sessions.

Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Institution: Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Year: 2015
  • Location: Cambridge, MA, USA.
Ibn Khaldun Fellowship, Centre for Clean Water and Clean Energy at MIT & KFUPM. Subject: “Sustainable Desalination Systems for Saudi Arabia”.
  • Applying sustainability indicators in the Saudi water sector, exploring:
    • Optimization of a sustainable desalination design that utilizes solar irradiances and technology advances in desalination and solar energy
    • Developing scenarios for nuclear desalination and comparing it to existing fossil fuel powered desalination to assess its economic feasibility
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)                                                                  
  • Institution: Queen Mary, University of London
  • Location: London, United Kingdom
  • Year: 2013
Thesis Title: “Carbon Management for Sustainable Development: An examination of potential transition paths for the Saudi Arabian ‘national system of innovation’ towards a cleaner energy economy”.

              The dissertation answered the question: How could Saudi Arabia, given its oil-based economy and vast oil reserves, respond to the challenges of climate change and the world’s transitioning towards environmental sustainability, and away from fossil fuels. Two studies have been conducted, a quantitative study and a qualitative study. The first study examined the Saudi energy sector, 40 life cycle assessment (LCA) studies on both carbon capture and storage (CCS) and solar photovoltaic (Solar PV) were used to create 12 scenarios for 3 growth cases from year 2010 to 2025. The second study examined the economy of Saudi Arabia, using 30 interviews with participants from across the economy, to materialize the Saudi national system of innovation. Using both studies, transition paths of the Saudi NSI towards a sustainable and cleaner energy economy were then constructed and discussed. A Saudi sustainable carbon management ‘system of innovation’ (SSCMSI) was proposed.

Subjects covered: Sustainable Development, Climate Change, Energy Technology Innovation, Innovation Systems, Sustainability Pathways, Transition Management, and Energy Economics.

Diplomatic Training                                                                                 
  • Institution: Dar Al-Hekma University and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
  • Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Medford, Massachusetts, Unites States.
  • Year: 2008
A 6-month program on International Relations given between Jeddah and Medford. 

Subjects include: Diplomacy and International Relations, International Environmental Policy, Statecraft, Middle East and Southeast Asia politics, International Law, International Organizations, International Business.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)                                             
  • Institution: Queen Mary, University of London
  • Location: London, United Kingdom
  • Year: 2004
Concentration: Technology Exploitation and Management with distinction. Thesis Title: “Hydrogen fuel cell as a disruptive innovation: the case study of Saudi Aramco”.

The dissertation answered the question: Is hydrogen fuel cells a disruptive technology for the automotive industry? The study uses Porter’s five forces to analyze the oil industry, and uses Foster’s S-curve, and Christensen’s disruptive innovation framework to assess the technology. The results show that fuel cells is not a disruptive innovation per se, but holds a great potential to transform the automotive industry, and subsequently, the oil industry.

Subjects include: Climate Change, Technology Innovation, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, the Oil industry.

Bachelor of Science (BSc.)                                                                        
  • Institution: Dar Al-Hekma University
  • Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • Year: 2003
Major: Management Information Systems with honors.
CGPA: 4.78 out of 5.00.

Awards and Memberships

The Zayed Future Energy Prize represents the vision of the Late Founding Father and President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who championed environmental stewardship. This $4 million prize, which is managed by Masdar in Abu Dhabi, is an annual award that celebrates achievements that reflect impact, innovation, long-term vision and leadership in renewable energy and sustainability in five categories: life achievement, large corporations, small and medium enterprise, non-profit organizations and high schools.
  • Lindau Nobel Meeting, 2017 – Selected as a young scientist among top leading scientists globally to attend the 6th Lindau Nobel Meeting on Economic Sciences in 2017.
The Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings are annual, scientific conferences held in Lindau, Bavaria, Germany since 1951. Their aim is to bring together Nobel laureates and young scientists to foster scientific exchange between different generations and cultures. The opportunity to join the annual gathering is provided exclusively to outstanding young scientists aged up to 35 – undergraduates, PhD students, and post-doc researchers. In order to participate in a meeting, they have to pass a multi-step application and selection process.
  • Women in Clean Energy (WICE), 2016 – Appointed a Board Member, under the Clean Energy Business Council in MENA (since January 2016).
Women in Clean Energy MENA (WICE) is an initiative set up under the umbrella of the MENA Clean Energy Business Council (CEBC). CEBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean energy including renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grid, energy storage and clean energy technology and solutions for the environmental sector. The Council provides a forum where all stakeholders can come together to exchange ideas, concepts and to facilitate projects.
  • Future Energy Leader, World Energy Council, 2015
The Council’s Future Energy Leaders’ programme (FEL-100) is designed to help shape, inspire and grow energy leaders of tomorrow. It serves as a platform for engaging a limited number of ambitious young professionals in national, regional and international activities and events with the objective to inspire participants to become the next generation of energy leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing challenges regarding energy and sustainability. Member of the following taskforces: World Energy Trilemma Taskforce, Human Capacity Building Taskforce, Sustainability and Energy Archetypes.
  • Leadership Excellence for Women Award (LEWA) 2015
the Middle East Process Engineering Conference (MEPEC) 2015 Leadership Excellence for Women Awards, under the “Rising Stars” category. Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa Prime Minister, Kingdom of Bahrain.
  • Ibn Khaldun Fellowship 2013 – Full scholarship for a postdoctoral research position at The Center for Clean Water and Clean Energy at MIT and KFUPM (2013-2015)
This competitive fellowship program is open to Saudi Arabian women scientists and engineers who hold a doctoral degree. Fellows are supported to spend one year doing research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in collaboration with an MIT faculty member. The Fellowship was launched by MIT in 2009, in collaboration with King Fahad University for Petroleum and Minerals, and it enrolled its first fellow in 2012. The fellowship is uniquely positioned to facilitate the development of Saudi Arabian women scientists and engineers as leaders in their respective fields of research as well as the Kingdom’s top educational managers and teachers.

  • CellA+ Network 2013
Board Member (since February 2013); Co-Founder, Jeddah Chapter; Former roles: Director, Member Communications and Database
Director, Digital Content; Researcher
Expanding the CellA+ network in Jeddah, after its launch in Riyadh, with an aim to provide a platform for professional women working in Saudi Arabia to exchange resources that will empower them to achieve their highest potential.
  • Tomouh Network – Member (since 2011)
Tomouh is a network of hand-selected top achievers in various academic and professional fields from across the GCC. The organization enables leaders from all fields to cooperate and reach higher levels of success. The network aims to become the platform that enables achievers to reach a much greater level of success and to utilize their success to benefit region's society and economy.
  • Yamani Cultural and Charitable Foundation (YCCF) 2011
    • Full scholarship to study for a doctoral degree in The UK (2005-2011)
  • Dar Al Hekma Merit Award 2008
    • Full scholarship to study for a postgraduate diplomatic training diploma in International Relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (2008)
  • Mohammad bin Issa Al Jaber (MBI) Foundation 2003
    • Full scholarship to study for a Master’s degree in London, UK (2003-2004)
  • Dar Al Hekma Merit Award 1999
    • Full scholarship to study for a bachelor’s degree, Saudi Arabia 1999-2003
  • Dar Al Hekma University 1999
    • Placed on Dean’s Honour List, Saudi Arabia 1999-2003