Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) highlighted the achievements of Saudi citizen Afrah Alothman, who is the first Arab female to lead an unmanned submarine in deep water, on the International Day for Women and Girls in Science.

The center explained that Ph.D student in marine sciences from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has led the submarine during the 19-week expedition to explore the Red Sea launched by the center on Feb. 4.

Afrah was orphaned from a young age, and she has begun her study journey in Al-Ahsa where she obtained her BA in biology with distinction from King Faisal University, after which she decided to complete her postgraduate studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, where she completed her master's degree in biology, as part of King Abdullah's Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for External Scholarship.

According to the KAUST website, Afrah had expressed her goal was to seek more experiences in the Red Sea, and to be an effective member who contributes to the transfer of experiences not only to her generation but future generations as well.

"I always dreamed of being influential among the girls in my community," she stated. "My decision to specialize in biology was the first step toward my bigger goal, but the scholarship was the real journey that shaped my personality. When I finished [my studies], I came back home with a master's degree and a wealth of knowledge and experiences gained from living abroad for several years," Afrah said.

Alothman prepared her first scientific research paper for publication one year after joining KAUST and the Red Sea Research Center. She is pleased with her accomplishment because it signifies that she has begun to contribute to serious research and scientific accomplishments.

In Alothman’s Biological Oceanography Lab biography, she elaborated on her research focus. “I have been working before on diatoms response to the presence of organic matter such as urea in iron deficiency. I am now interested in both diatoms and bacteria interaction in different environmental conditions such as high temperature.

The International Day for Women and Girls in Science is a UN-designated day that aims to accelerate gender equity and improve access to and participation in science for women and girls.