Profile
Wasseem Emam
-
About Me:
I am an Egyptian-Canadian researcher in Glasgow. I am a father of one and enjoy diving, cycling, watching football and travelling.
-
My pronouns are:
he/him
-
My Work:
I’m an aquatic ecologist working on advancing the welfare of aquatic animals used in the food sector (fisheries & aquaculture). I run a research organisation called Ethical Seafood Research that carries out research and training projects in Africa showing fish farmers the benefits of looking after their fish.
-
My Typical Day:
My days mostly consist of meetings with colleagues, networking externally to look for additional project funding and writing up reports for the funders to show the progress we have made. When I am in the field, I am visiting fish farmers and fishing communities to hear about their current challenges. I also frequently attend conferences and workshops around the topic of aquatic animal welfare in fisheries and aquaculture.
-
What I'd do with the prize money:
I would use the money to hold events aimed at recruiting more scientists to such initiatives!
-
Education:
I grew up in the Middle East (between Egypt and Saudi Arabia) where I went to British international schools before moving to the north of England to complete high school at a Quaker boarding school. I then moved to Canada for university where I studied Environmental Science and International Development at the University of Toronto. I moved back to Europe for a Master’s in Applied Ecology and Conservation where I focused on aquatic ecosystems.
After working at the UN and other international organisations for some years, I moved to Scotland to do a PhD in fish ecophysiology and aquaculture.
-
Current Job:
Founder & Lead Researcher @ Ethical Seafood Research
-
Employer:
Ethical Seafood Research
Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling
-
My Interview
-
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
fish lover and advocate
What did you want to be after you left school?
A biologist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
All the time!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
I would do something related to languages and linguistics
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Passenger
What's your favourite food?
Sushi
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Finding inner peace, being there for my family & being a positive force for change in the world
Tell us a joke.
Why don't fish play piano? Because you can't tuna fish!
-