Current Position
August 2019- Research Scientist | Integrated Genomics for Aquaculture
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
CSIRO Agriculture and Food
Breeding and genomics group
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
CSIRO Agriculture and Food
Breeding and genomics group
Work experience
August 2016- July 2019 | OCE Postdoctoral Research Fellow | Salmon Genomics
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
CSIRO Agriculture and Food
May 2012- July 2016 PhD Scholar | Coral and Symbiosis Genomics
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
2006-2012 Assistant Lecture Zoology and Biotechnology
Zoology Department, Faculty of Science
Benha University Egypt
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
CSIRO Agriculture and Food
May 2012- July 2016 PhD Scholar | Coral and Symbiosis Genomics
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
2006-2012 Assistant Lecture Zoology and Biotechnology
Zoology Department, Faculty of Science
Benha University Egypt
Education
2016 PhD | Coral Reef Genomics
James Cook University
Thesis title: Transcriptomics of coral-algal interactions: novel insights into establishment of symbiosis
Evaluation of Candidature: Group A- Outstanding (Outstanding in all components of candidature)
2011 MSc | Marine Biology
Benha University
Thesis title: Distribution and prevalence of coral diseases along the northern Red Sea coast, Egypt
2006 BSc Zoology
Top-person graduated, Excellent with honours
Benha University
James Cook University
Thesis title: Transcriptomics of coral-algal interactions: novel insights into establishment of symbiosis
Evaluation of Candidature: Group A- Outstanding (Outstanding in all components of candidature)
2011 MSc | Marine Biology
Benha University
Thesis title: Distribution and prevalence of coral diseases along the northern Red Sea coast, Egypt
2006 BSc Zoology
Top-person graduated, Excellent with honours
Benha University
About me
I am generally interested in applying integrated genomics and systems biology to understand marine systems at the molecular level. My previous work increased our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying symbiotic interactions of corals with their algal symbionts during establishment of their partnership. Understanding these basic processes might provide insights for effective coral reef conservation in a rapidly changing ocean.
My Ph.D. research at David Miller's lab focused on investigating molecular mechanisms underlying early interactions between corals and algal symbionts. The cross-talk between the coral host and its endosymbiotic algae is crucial for maintaining the symbiotic relationship, however the molecular events in both the host and the symbiont are poorly understood. The Ph.D. projects aimed to provide a baseline of the molecular events occurring in the coral host upon exposure to competent Symbiodinium. RNA-Seq was used to investigate the transcriptional responses in Acropora digitifera during competent Symbiodinium uptake (infection). Based on this knowledge, I investigated the potential functional role of a recently discovered coral-associated microalga called Chromera that is widely assumed to be coral symbionts. The transcriptomic response of the coral to Chromera provided insights into the nature of this elusive coral-Chromera association. Furthermore, I assembled a de novo transcriptome for a Chromera strain isolated from Montipora digitata on the GBR, this functional genomic resource was compared to transcriptomes of another Chromera strain, Symbiodinium kawagutii and Plasmodium falciparum to study sharing of functions/pathways among Chromera, a symbiotic dinoflagellate and a parasitic apicomplexan.
In 2011, I obtained my M.Sc. in Marine Biology from Benha University in Egypt. My Masters project explored the prevalence of coral diseases in the northern Red Sea of Egypt. On-shore reefs in different sites were surveyed to document coral diseases, bleaching and other signs of compromised health. I completed my B.Sc. in Zoology from Benha University. I was top-person graduated with Honors.
