Dugongs of the Red Sea: eDNA biomonitoring and conservation genomics
Sustainable Environment & Essential Needs
Michael Berumen
Mahsa Mousavi has a background in agronomy, biotechnology, and applied bioinformatics. She brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the study of biodiversity. After completing her PhD at the University of Western Australia, she joined the TrEnD Lab at Curtin University, focusing on environmental DNA (eDNA) and animal genomics. At KAUST, her research centers on the Red Sea's dugong populations, one of the largest yet least-studied in the world. Using advanced eDNA metabarcofing and whole genome analyses, Mahsa's work aims to generate essential data on dugong population structure, distribution, and genetic diversity. This research will inform conservation strategies and guide sustainable development efforts along the Red Sea coast.