National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF) - Egypt
AUTHOR PROFILEÂ
🌊 ACADEMIC FOUNDATION IN AQUATIC SCIENCE
Dr. Mohamed M. Abdel-Rahim laid the bedrock of his scientific journey at the University of Alexandria, where he earned his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. in Aquaculture with distinction. With a persistent drive for excellence, his educational background immersed him in marine biology, aquaculture systems, and aquatic animal health—fields critical for understanding zoonotic risks in aquatic environments. His early research explored aquaculture engineering and fish reproduction, equipping him with both technical mastery and biological insight. This academic rigor formed the foundation for his future contributions to the management of aquatic ecosystems, fish diseases, and food safety, which are all central to zoonosis prevention in aquaculture. As zoonotic diseases increasingly emerge from aquatic sources due to intensified aquaculture practices, Dr. Abdel-Rahim’s work in environmental monitoring, hatchery design, and water quality management positions him as a vital player in sustainable fish production and health risk mitigation. Through advanced courses in Spain and France, he also honed his understanding of environmental impacts and modern aquaculture technologies. This academic foundation allowed him to interface between ecosystem health and public safety, setting the stage for lifelong contributions to aquaculture science and zoonotic disease control in aquatic systems.
🔬 SCIENTIFIC INNOVATIONS AND RESEARCH PURSUITS
Dr. Mohamed M. Abdel-Rahim’s research legacy is marked by groundbreaking innovations in sustainable aquaculture and aquatic health, focusing on preventing zoonosis through improved farming systems. As Principal Investigator and team member on numerous projects funded by NIOF and international bodies, he has tackled challenges in marine aquaculture, water purification, biofloc technology, and fish nutrition. Notably, his work on recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) models highlights his role in minimizing the environmental and biological risks that contribute to zoonotic transmission. His peer-reviewed publications—over 55 in high-impact journals—span topics from bacterial load reduction to the use of herbal immunostimulants and probiotics in fish diets, directly addressing disease resistance and food safety. Dr. Abdel-Rahim’s focus on fish health and immunity builds a crucial bridge to zoonotic disease prevention, especially in densely stocked aquatic farms where pathogen transfer between species and humans is possible. His use of natural additives and innovative feed strategies further ensures healthier aquaculture products, aligning food security with public health. These contributions are not just technical—they’re visionary, establishing protocols that integrate sustainability, economics, and zoonotic risk reduction within modern aquaculture systems.
🧪 EDUCATION AND TRAINING IMPACT
Through over 75 national and international lectures and 10 years of university teaching, Dr. Mohamed M. Abdel-Rahim has transformed aquaculture education in Egypt and abroad. His curriculum covers fish hatchery management, marine aquaculture systems, and environmental engineering, with a strong emphasis on biosafety—a core element in zoonosis control. He has taught and developed more than ten specialized aquaculture courses across Alexandria, Kafrelsheikh, and Suez Canal Universities, including postgraduate programs in fish disease management and hatchery design. Internationally, he has trained scientists in Senegal, South Africa, and other African countries under African Union projects like ITACA, sharing practical skills and theoretical knowledge to bolster regional aquaculture resilience against zoonotic threats. His commitment to capacity building is evident in his supervision of 23 master’s and PhD theses, many of which address water quality, disease resistance, and biosecurity. By emphasizing preventive practices and sustainable systems, he nurtures a new generation of scientists equipped to face the rising zoonotic risks tied to aquatic food production. His work bridges the gap between education, practice, and global health, empowering students and professionals to create safer, healthier aquaculture ecosystems worldwide.
🧬 ZOONOSIS PREVENTION THROUGH AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS
In Dr. Abdel-Rahim’s extensive aquaculture research, zoonosis prevention is not an afterthought—it is a structural priority. His pioneering application of recirculating and integrated aquaculture systems directly contributes to reducing disease transmission across species boundaries, a vital measure in managing zoonotic threats. These systems, particularly his solar-powered R-IMTA model, are designed to enhance water quality, reduce pathogen loads, and minimize human exposure to harmful aquatic pathogens. His work on bioremediation—using probiotics, natural zeolites, and medicinal plants—improves not only fish performance but also public health safety. His studies on feed additives like saponins, nucleotides, and bentonite highlight how tailored nutrition can strengthen fish immunity and reduce the need for antibiotics, a key factor in controlling antimicrobial resistance—another zoonosis-related concern. Dr. Abdel-Rahim’s scientific contributions propose real-world solutions that address both aquaculture productivity and emerging public health risks. His integrated approach ensures that aquaculture is not just economically viable, but also ecologically sound and safe for human consumption. This makes his research a cornerstone in the global effort to understand and prevent aquatic-based zoonoses, especially in the face of increasing demand for fish protein and the intensification of fish farming practices.
🏆 HONORS, PUBLICATIONS, AND GLOBAL RECOGNITION
Dr. Mohamed M. Abdel-Rahim’s distinguished career is adorned with awards, global lectures, and editorial roles, underscoring his position as a world leader in aquaculture and zoonosis-aware research. He has published in more than 50 peer-reviewed journals, many in Q1-ranked outlets such as Aquaculture, Scientific Reports, and Aquaculture International, often addressing immune responses, water quality, and aquafeed innovations—all key to reducing zoonotic threats in fish production. With multiple roles as a journal reviewer and editorial board member for esteemed publications, including PLOS ONE, Marine Drugs, and Journal of Cleaner Production, he influences global research quality and direction. His H-index, tracked across Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, reflects the scientific weight of his contributions. He has delivered impactful presentations across Africa and Europe, notably at the UN Environment-MED POL regional working groups and African Union conferences. These platforms have enabled him to advocate for sustainable, biosecure aquaculture systems that prioritize public health. Whether supervising PhD candidates or guiding governmental policy discussions, Dr. Abdel-Rahim's accolades reflect his unwavering commitment to science, sustainability, and zoonotic disease prevention.
🌍 IMPACT ON SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Abdel-Rahim’s impact on sustainable aquaculture in Egypt and beyond is deeply rooted in his implementation of technologies that align environmental stewardship with public health, particularly in mitigating zoonosis. As a former director and scientific supervisor at El-Max Station for Applied Research, he championed eco-innovative farming practices, integrating marine hatcheries with IMTA models to ensure minimal waste, disease containment, and species welfare. His feasibility studies for international aquaculture investments prioritize biosecurity and environmental harmony, advocating integrated solutions for shrimp, fish, and bivalves farming. His consultancies with companies like Silk Stevens Ltd. and Evergreen United exemplify his ability to bridge academic insight with commercial application, ensuring that food systems remain productive without increasing zoonotic exposure. He routinely collaborates with policymakers and environmental agencies to design training programs that embed principles of biosafety and zoonotic surveillance into national aquaculture strategies. Through his cross-sectoral efforts, Dr. Abdel-Rahim has become a pivotal figure in harmonizing productivity with ecological balance—advancing aquaculture not only as a food system but as a public health safeguard in the face of climate change and emerging zoonotic diseases.
đź”® LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
Dr. Mohamed M. Abdel-Rahim’s legacy is one of foresight, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to integrating zoonosis prevention into every facet of aquaculture. With over three decades of scientific and educational experience, his blueprint for the future focuses on interdisciplinary collaborations and next-generation aquaculture systems that actively mitigate zoonotic risks. His future contributions aim to enhance molecular-level monitoring of pathogens, apply artificial intelligence to aquaculture biosurveillance, and expand the role of nutraceuticals in fish diets to reduce antibiotic dependence. His ongoing supervision of PhD and master’s theses ensures continuity in research that bridges ecological sustainability with public health. Through expanding training programs, he seeks to arm future scientists with the tools necessary to respond to pandemics that may emerge from aquatic environments. Furthermore, Dr. Abdel-Rahim envisions regional centers of excellence in North Africa for zoonosis monitoring in aquaculture, capitalizing on Egypt’s strategic position in global fish trade. His work is a testament to the principle that aquaculture, when responsibly managed, can be a frontline defense against zoonotic spillovers—reinforcing his enduring influence on both science and society.
NOTABLE PUBLICATION
- Title: Replacing fishmeal with Palaemon serratus meal enhances growth, carcass traits, digestive enzymes, immune-physiological response, antioxidants, and inner organ histopathology of Dicentrarchus labrax
Authors: Toqa S. M. Saif, Hatem H. Mahmoud, Ashraf I. G. Elhetawy, Reda M. Fahim, Hosam E. Elsaied, Mohamed M. Abdel-Rahim
Journal: Aquaculture International
Publication Date: October 2025
- Title: Correction to: The effect of aqueous application of probiotics on growth, heavy metal accumulation, blood biochemistry, and histological alterations of Dicentrarcus labrax
Authors: Mohamed M. Abdel‑Rahim, Shimaa A. Shahin, Abdallah Tageldein Mansour, Ahmed Saud Alsaqufi, Ahmed E. Elshafey, Amira A. Omar, Hassan A. El‑Sharkawy, Radi A. Mohamed, Ashraf I. G. Elhetawy
Journal: Aquaculture International
Publication Date: June 2025
- Title: Integrated aquaculture of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax: impacts on performance, welfare, blood physiological response, carcass traits, productivity, and farm profitability
Authors: Ashraf I. G. Elhetawy, Abdallah Tageldein Mansour, Ayman M. Lotfy, Ahmed I. A. Mansour, Shimaa A. Shahin, Mohamed M. Zayed, Ghada R. Sallam, Mohamed M. Abdel-Rahim
Journal: Aquaculture International
Publication Date: June 2025
- Title: The effect of aqueous application of probiotics on growth, heavy metal accumulation, blood biochemistry, and histological alterations of Dicentrarcus labrax
Authors: Mohamed M. Abdel-Rahim, Shimaa A. Shahin, Abdallah Tageldein Mansour, Ahmed Saud Alsaqufi, Ahmed E. Elshafey, Amira A. Omar, Hassan A. El-Sharkawy, Radi A. Mohamed, Ashraf I. G. Elhetawy
Journal: Aquaculture International
Publication Date: April 2025
- Title: Effect of the bipolar aluminum electrocoagulation model (BAEM) on heavy metal concentration, growth, immunological response, and parasitic activity in cultured Dicentrarchus labrax in underground seawater
Authors: Amr Fadel, Abeer A. Moneer, Khaled M. Abdelsalam, Mohamed M. Abdel-Rahim
Journal: Aquaculture
Publication Date: April 8, 2025