MEET THE PROFESSIONAL
November 2019
Dr. Aida Al Awar
Is an Environmental Consultant at Environmental Resources Management (ERM), focusing her work on water resource management issues to increase availability and access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation..
We are very excited to feature her as our professional in this month’s “Meet the Professional” series.
Below are a few questions to help facilitate this interactive connection. At the end of the page you will have an opportunity to post your own questions for Aida.
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Describe your current Occupation & Degree/s and Universities.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Sciences from Imperial College London
- Masters of Sciences in Environmental Technology with an emphasis on water resource management from Imperial College London
- Bachelors of Sciences in Environmental Health from American University of Beirut
Discuss a moment or turning point in your life that led you to your career path:
As far back as I can remember, the environment has been a big part of my life. As children, my siblings and I used to spend most of our time in parks or in the mountains. As well as making for a somewhat idyllic childhood, it also instilled in me a respect and appreciation for the natural environment. I knew from an early age that I wanted to go into STEM and that I wanted to help people. I was good at sciences and I have an innate curiosity, so it made sense for me to focus my academic interests along those lines. But it wasn’t until I needed to apply to university that I was encouraged to explore something different.
I would say that the defining moment that led to my current career path occurred during my first course at university – Introduction to Environmental Science – when I got the chance to combine my love of science with my interest in the environment. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I discovered how different environmental projects improved the living conditions of communities. This sparked my passion for development and the environment.
Discuss a role model or mentor who influenced your career choice:
I can’t narrow it down to one person that helped guide me through my career choice and path. Rather, I believe all the different teachers and professors that I have engaged with throughout the years have shaped both me and my career. However, the main people that have motivated me to choose the environment are my mother and Dr. Mey Jurdi (AUB professor). I became an environmental scientist thanks to my mother, and I specialised in water resource management because of my ‘water’ professor at AUB.
I also credit my love for the environment to my mother and I consider her my first role model. She is the person who encouraged me to explore the idea of environmental sciences and set me on my career path. I enjoyed the sciences at school and knew I wanted to go into STEM, but I was not able to narrow it down further. So when it came time for me to choose a major at university, I was a bit lost. My mother suggested that I apply for the environmental health course offered at AUB. I was very hesitant at first but, as she put it, I had nothing to lose. Thanks to her, I ended up finding the field I am passionate about and have never looked back.
Dr Mey Jurdi was the head of the Environmental Health department when I was a student at AUB. She was also the professor for all the water resources courses offered in the department. It was in her classroom that I discovered my fascination with water as an environmental resource. Through her lectures, I found the perfect balance between science, policy and the environment. Dr. Jurdi was also the person who encouraged me to continue my education and is one of the reasons I have a doctorate and a specialism in water resource management.
Do you recall any specific challenges you encountered and overcame?
I have been very lucky with the incredible support network in my life. And it is on that very network that I heavily relied on during my postgraduate studies. I am fortunate to have a great family that has always pushed me to go for what I want and helped me achieve it. With their encouragement, I started my doctorate in London. On my first day I was introduced to my ‘PhD buddy’ and she turned out to be my saving grace.
A few months into my degree, I realised that I was not getting the guidance and support I needed to complete my research. While this was disappointing, I believed that I could manage on my own and pushed through. It wasn’t until my early stage assessment, about a year into a three-year programme, that I realised how bad things actually were. This was the first time someone outside of my research group evaluated my work. Suffice to say that it did not go well and he recommended that I start over in an area in which my supervisor has more expertise. This was said in front of my supervisor. This was a very big blow and extremely discouraging. It was also the first time I thought that I couldn’t do it.
After some hard truths and a lot of encouragement from family and friends, I took my evaluator’s advice and switched the focus of my research. That wasn’t the only change I made. I started to be more open about my struggles with my family and friends, and also started to lean on my fellow PhD candidates, especially my ‘buddy’. The other students, all at different stages of their research, helped me focus and shape my research, my family was extremely understanding when I was very stressed, and my friends were there to keep me grounded. With all their help, I managed to finish my research and successfully defend my thesis.
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
This question is very tricky. I would like to say saving the world, especially in this current climate. But realistically speaking, I would like to be in a position to help as many people as I possibly can. I have tried to shape my career around development and particularly improving the living condition of the most vulnerable. In 10 years’ time, I would like to be able to say that I have made a difference and am giving back to my community through my experience and expertise.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field?
The first thing I would say to someone starting out in my field is to remember to see the bigger picture. It is very easy to get lost in the details and numbers when tackling environmental issues. We sometimes forget that the ‘environment’ is everything that surrounds us. I would also say be open and curious. Open to new ideas and avenues, and curious about all the different connections. Everything in the environment, built or natural, is connected. Finally, and most importantly, enjoy discovering.
Tell us a little bit about your hobbies outside of your field:
It might not technically be outside my field, but I genuinely love to be in nature. I enjoying going for long walks (preferably in a wooden environment) and hiking. I am also an avid reader – I’m enjoying murder mysteries at the moment and I’m always open to recommendations.
A Q&A form will be uploaded shortly. In the meantime feel free to send any questions you would like to ask Aida to admin@network1017.com
Click here if you would like to connect with Aida