MSc, OCF
Supervisor
Dr. William Cheung
Thesis Topic
My research explores the impacts of climate change on food security and marine biodiversity conservation in the Tla’amin Nation and how nature and bio-cultural climate risk-reduction solutions can help mitigate such effects. My thesis will include a trait-based approach that incorporates socioecological traits that help support community adaptations, climate mitigation measures, biodiversity conservation and the status of food security in the Tla’amin Nation, which will be categorized into three different dimensions related to traditional species such as Butter Clams and Sockeye Salmon. This approach, combined with the use of Fuzzy Logic, will allow me to merge trait data with model projections to depict changes in marine species under various climate change scenarios and adaptation options by 2030 and 2050, ultimately contributing to the resilience of the Tla’amin Nation and their desired future.
Degrees
BSc in Oceanography and Biology at the University of British Columbia
Research Unit
Changing Ocean Research Unit (CORU)
Biography
My interest in marine issues began when I started scuba diving in high school in Cairo, Egypt, which led me to major in Oceanography and biology at UBC. My passion for oceans and fisheries science only grew over the years throughout my undergraduate degree. I attended a marine ecology field course at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre that made me appreciate the Pacific Northwest’s beautiful ecosystems. I also volunteered for various marine programs catered to youth. Moreover, I was an undergraduate research assistant at CORU, looking at the impacts of climate change on coastal communities in Indonesia for a project, as well as the impacts of climate change on the physical and mental health of aquatic food workers globally for my directed studies. Through my research and work, I became fascinated by the resilience and adaptive capacity of coastal communities as well as determined to better understand the challenges aquatic food workers face in their daily lives. This led me to join the IOF as a master’s student, where I am able to connect all the interests I’ve accumulated on my journey: coastal communities, climate risk-reduction, fisheries management and biodiversity conservation.
Contact Information
Email: m.saleh@oceans.ubc.ca