Rana Abualhaija

Dr. Rana Abualhaija is the Managing Director of Cyprus Subsea Consulting and Services Ltd (CSCS), where she leads environmental assessments and the delivery of complex marine and maritime projects. With over a decade of experience in marine ecology, ocean observing, and the blue economy, Dr. Abualhaija combines scientific insight with operational expertise to advance sustainable ocean monitoring across the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond. At BTS, Dr. Abualhaija will present a Seaglider equipped with a UPV6 particle profiler, showcasing its application in plankton research and high-resolution environmental monitoring. The system enables detailed observation of plankton distribution and ocean structure across depth and time scales—a tool for understanding ecosystem dynamics in rapidly changing marine environments. Before becoming Managing Director in 2024, Dr. Abualhaija served as Project Manager at CSCS, overseeing the coordination and implementation of national and international research initiatives. She designed and led the first open-sea plankton monitoring program in the Eastern Mediterranean, generating new insights into plankton ecology and contributing to improved regional baseline data for environmental management. Her previous work includes studies on pollutant bioaccumulation (PERSEUS) and sustainable aquaculture system design (OSAqua). Holding a PhD in Environment, Energy and Atmospheric Science from The Cyprus Institute, Dr. Abualhaija is skilled in oceanographic data processing, mapping, and visualization, and actively contributes to international networks. Her work bridges research, technology, and policy—promoting evidence-based approaches to ocean stewardship and sustainable marine development.