KAUST alumna Royale Hardenstine devotes career to protecting the whale shark, marine animals in the Red Sea

Summary

KAUST alumna Dr. Royale Hardenstine (Ph.D. '20, MS '15) is studying the movements and behavior of marine animals in the Red Sea, including whale sharks. Her Ph.D. research showed the connectivity of Red Sea whale sharks to the larger Indo-Pacific population and movements between aggregation sites. Now working as Protected Species Science Manager at The Red Sea Development Company, she monitors marine life in the Kingdom's future Special Economic Zones. Why it matters: This research is crucial for informing conservation efforts and mitigating the impact of coastal development on vulnerable marine species in the Red Sea.