22 April, 2024
Earth Day provides an opportunity for Saudi Arabia to highlight how the Kingdom is showing global leadership on marine conservation, in particular the fight to save corals. The protection of coral reefs is not just about preserving biodiversity, as they are home to approximately 30% of all marine life; economically, they contribute to trillions of dollars globally.
Exemplifying the heroes and heroines behind the science is KAUST Associate Professor Raquel Peixoto. Today, the Frontiers Planet Prize announced she is the 2024 National Champion for Saudi Arabia. This is a first for Saudi Arabia and any Arab nation. Peixoto earned the prize for her research on the use of probiotics to strengthen the resilience of coral reefs against climate change.