Harnessing data-science to enhance the sustainability of Red Sea fisheries and aquatic food systems

Coral reef ecosystems in the Red Sea are unique, supporting exceptional biodiversity and providing critical services to human populations. Yet, these systems are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, overfishing, and coastal development. Understanding and quantifying the sustainability of reef-based food systems is critical for guiding future conservation and food security strategies in the Red Sea region. This project provides an exciting opportunity for visiting students to contribute to ongoing efforts compiling, harmonizing, and analyzing available data on coral reef fisheries and aquatic food systems across the Red Sea. Students will work closely with an interdisciplinary research team using data-driven approaches to provide a baseline sustainability assessment for the region, identifying key knowledge gaps and supporting the development of an interdisciplinary monitoring program. The internship is especially suited for students from marine science, environmental science, computer science, or data science backgrounds who wish to apply quantitative and analytical skills to tackle real-world environmental challenges. Participants will gain hands-on experience in data management, harmonization, geospatial analysis, and visualization, while developing a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems, food systems, sustainability science and planetary health.

The visiting student will: Compile and organize existing datasets related to coral reef fisheries and aquatic food systems in the Red Sea. Harmonize data from multiple sources to ensure consistency and comparability across spatial and temporal scales. Conduct exploratory data analysis to identify trends, data gaps, and sustainability indicators. Review relevant scientific literature on Red Sea reef fisheries and aquatic food systems. Collaborate with the research team to develop data visualizations, publications, or analytical tools to communicate findings effectively. By the end of the internship, the student will: Understand how to design and implement a literature-based data compilation and harmonization project. Gain proficiency in applied data science techniques, including cleaning, integration, and analysis of complex and multidisciplinary datasets. Learn to interpret results within a sustainability and food systems context. Strengthen skills in scientific communication and reproducible research practices. Build an interdisciplinary foundation to pursue advanced research or a career in applied data science, marine science, planetary health, or sustainable development.