AUS launches the Sharjah Environmental Hazards Assessment Research Group

American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently launched the Sharjah Environmental Hazards Assessment Research Group (SEHAR), a new initiative dedicated to advancing scientific research on environmental pollutants and their impact on ecosystems and public health. SEHAR brings together experts in environmental science, analytical chemistry and ecotoxicology to study environmental contaminants such as microplastics, heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants.

The research group is led by faculty from the AUS Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, including professors Dr. Fatin Samara and Dr. Sofian Kanan, and postdoctoral fellows  Dr. Lara Dronjak and Dr. Venkatesh Gopal. They are collaborating with Dr. Yassir Makkawi, Professor of Chemical Engineering at AUS. The team is also working alongside Fadi Yaghmour, a scientific researcher at the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), who is an AUS alumnus in biology and environmental sciences, as well as Dr. John Burt, Professor of Biology at New York University Abu Dhabi.

“SEHAR was established to address the pressing environmental challenges facing our region and beyond. By bringing several of the top minds in this field together, we believe we can make a difference. We plan to leverage the team members’ significant expertise working on interdisciplinary projects, cutting-edge research and scientific talent to help drive policy development, inform mitigation strategies and contribute to a cleaner, safer environment for all. Collaboration is at the heart of our group, and we look forward to partnering with interested researchers, industry professionals and policymakers to make a lasting impact on Sharjah and the wider UAE,” said Dr. Samara, who heads up the research group.  

In addition to actively partnering with Sharjah EPAA on multiple environmental projects, SEHAR has garnered significant interest from organizations seeking to contribute to and benefit from its research. As the group expands and develops, its work will cover a broad range of research, helping different stakeholders across the Emirates understand the state of the country’s pollutants in various marine, freshwater, terrestrial and atmospheric environments.

Looking to the future, SEHAR plans to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration with entities across academia, industry and government. Interested researchers, industry professionals and policymakers in the UAE and beyond are invited to collaborate with SEHAR to shape a more sustainable future.

For more information about the AUS Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, please visit: www.aus.edu/cas/department-of-biology-chemistry-and-environmental-sciences