An innovative national capacity-building fellowship initiative has been established in collaboration with Dolphin Energy to support outstanding Emirati graduates in gaining experience within a state-of-the-art academic research setting. This partnership has led to the sponsorship of NYU Abu Dhabi’s Kawader Research Assistantship Programme.
Maryam Al-Memari, currently serving as a research assistant at NYU Abu Dhabi, has been appointed as the inaugural Dolphin Energy Fellow. At NYUAD’s Centre for Interacting Urban Networks, under the guidance of Associate Professor of Biology John Burt, Al-Memari is involved in diverse research endeavors.
Her work includes the testing of eco-friendly antifouling coatings to combat marine pollution and the analysis of historical trends in desalination and their environmental implications in the Arabian region. Additionally, she explores the impacts of coastal development in the Gulf Cooperation Council and investigates the perspectives of female reef scientists in the region on addressing gender disparities in the field.
NYUAD Vice Chancellor Mariet Westermann said, “We are proud to announce the inaugural Dolphin Energy Fellow at NYUAD. We thank our partners, Dolphin Energy, for their long-term commitment to research that can help drive sustainable growth in Abu Dhabi and the wider region. Al-Memari is an outstanding first Dolphin Energy Fellow. Her interest in finding pragmatic, workable solutions to some of our biggest challenges inspires everyone working with her. She will be an excellent ambassador for NYUAD’s efforts to support the continuation of the Year of Sustainability and build on the legacy of COP28.”
“We are confident that this partnership will catalyse significant progress and innovations across these priority research areas for the UAE and the wider region and actively contribute to a more sustainable future for our communities.”
About the Fellowship
The fellowship program spans three years and is customized to meet the needs of early-career Emirati researchers interested in pursuing graduate studies or careers in research. Aligned with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, the agreement signifies a mutual commitment between the two institutions to advance research in sustainability and climate change.
NYUAD and Dolphin Energy
NYU Abu Dhabi is dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fostering innovative teaching and research in climate change, and cultivating a culture of climate awareness and stewardship to drive sustainable development in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and the wider Middle East and North Africa region.
From its inception, Dolphin Energy has prioritized responsible corporate citizenship across its operations. The company supports government climate action plans through environmental protection, decarbonization, and energy efficiency initiatives. Dolphin Energy is formalizing its longstanding corporate social responsibility and sustainability commitments into Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies, while continuing to sponsor and support environmental programs in the communities it serves.
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