CV
Curriculum Vitae
1. Personal data:
Name: Abdul-Wasea A. Asrar.
Nationality: Saudi.
Occupation: Faculty Professor (Prof. of Floriculture & Ornamental and Landscape Horticulture).
Department: Plant Production.
College: Food & Agricultural Sciences.
Address: King Saud University, P.O.Box 2460, Riyadh 11451.
Telephone: 4678340 or 4678466.
Fax: 4678467.
E-mail: aasrar@ksu.edu.sa
2. Academic Degrees:
Ph.D.:
University: Washington State University, College: Agriculture
Department: Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
University Location: Pullman, WA, U.S.A.
Date of Obtaining Degree: 07 / 08 / 1993.
Major: Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.
Minor: Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture.
M.Sc.:
University: Cornell University, College: Agriculture.
Department: Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture
University Location: Ithaca, New York, U.S.A.
Date of Obtaining Degree: 21 / 01 / 1987.
Major: Horticulture.
Minor: Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture.
B.Sc.
University: Riyadh University (Recently: King Saud University).
College: College of Agriculture (Recently: College of Food &Agric. Sci.)
University Location (City /Country): Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Date of Obtaining Degree: 23 / 02 /1980.
3. Research Interests:
- Use of the new technologies in ornamental and floricultural production in greenhouses, and postharvest studies, techniques and handling of cut flowers.
- Water conserving and Improving tolerance of ornamental plants to drought, salinity, heavy metal and organic pollutant stresses via mycorrhizal fungi technique.
- Wastewater uses in ornamental, medicinal and aromatic plants irrigation, and techniques for reduction soil contaminations.
- Utilizing biotechnology and implementation of NANO'S techniques to increase shelf life of cut flowers, concentration of aromatic materials in some medicinal and aromatic plants, and the efficiency of trees and ground cover plants to absorb and reduce air pollutants.
- Locally wild plants studies and their possible application for the landscape usages.
- Investigating means and methods for developing and utilizing national parks and other promising natural sites.
- Developing and designing kindergarten gardens to serve and fulfill the purposes of education that help raising abilities and thinking of the children.
- The importance of fulfilling the functional, aesthetic and ecological safety considerations when designing street and square gardens.
- Ecological tourism and the importance of national parks and gardens.
- Environmental pollution and its phenomena; such as the greenhouse effect and the global warming, and the role of plants in protecting and maintaining a healthy and pretty environment of the Earth planet.
4. Employment History:
1- Professor, Plant Production Department, College of Food & Agric. Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, since 2012.
2- Associate Professor, Plant Production Department, College of Food & Agric. Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, since 7/5/2003 till 2012.
3- Assistant Professor, Plant Production Department, College of Food & Agric. Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 11/1/1994 till 6/5/2003.
4- Teaching Assistant, Plant Production Department, College of Food & Agric. Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 4/8/1980 until 10/1/1994 (Including the period of graduate studies for M.Sc. and Ph.D.).
5. Academic and Scientific Activities:
a. Teaching:
- Teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in the field of floriculture, and ornamental horticulture and in the general field of plant production (including: Ornamental Plants and Landscape Gardening, Landscaping of Gardens and Parks, Gardens and Parks Planning and Construction, Ornamental Plants and Turfgrasses).
- Supervising graduate students:
1. Alrasheedi, M. D. 2007. Effects of various soil mixes and different irrigation levels on performance of two hybrid bermudagrass cultivars. Master thesis, Plant Pro. Dpt., College of Food & Agric. Sciences, K.S.U. pp 115.
2. Abdel-Salam E. M. 2012. The Impact of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (Glomus deserticola) on Growth and Flower Quality of Taif Rose Grown Under Water Stress Conditions. Master thesis, Plant Pro. Dpt., College of Food & Agric. Sciences, K.S.U.
b. Research Work and Publications:
Scientific Papers:
Asrar, A. A., El-Nashar, S. I., Abdel-Salam, E. M. (2013). Influence of alar and osmocote slow-release fertilizer application on growth and flowering of four cultivars of chrysanthemum plants grown in greenhouse conditions. In proceeding of the International Conference of GreenSys 2013 organized by International Society for Horticultural Science in 6-11 October, 2013, ICC JEJU, JEJU, South Korea.
Asrar, A. A. (2013). Effect of alar foliar spray and osmocote slow-release fertilizer application on growth and flower quality of four cultivars of chrysanthemum plants grown in outdoor conditions. In proceeding of the 3th International Conference on “ Slow and Controlled Release and Stabilized fertilizers” in 12-15 April, 2013, Royal Tulip Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Asrar, A. A., Abdel-Fattah, G. M. and Elhindi, K. M. (2012). Improving growth, flower yield and water relations of snapdragon (Antirhinum majus L.) plants grown under well-watered and water-stressed conditions using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Photosynthetica, (ISI, impact factor: 1.016), ISSN: 0300-3604, 50 (2) 305-316.
Abdel-Fattah, G. M. and Asrar, A. A. (2012). Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal application to improve growth and tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants grown in saline soil. Acta Physiol Plant, (ISI, impact factor: 1.639), ISSN: 0137-5881, 34: 267-277.
Asrar, A. A. (2012). Effects of some preservative solutions on vase life and keeping quality of snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) cut flowers. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 11: 29-35.
El-Amri, S. M.; Al-Whaibi, M. H. and Asrar, A. A (2012). Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on yield of three local cultivars of wheat plants grown under sodium chloride stress conditions. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 18: 143-152.
Asrar, A. A., Elhindi, M. K. (2011). Alleviation of drought stress of marigold (Tagetes erecta) plants by using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 18: 93-98. (This scientific article has gotten the first rank among the “Top 25 Hottest Articles” from Jan 2011 to Mar 2012 http://top25.sciencedirect.com/subject/environmental-science/13/journal/saudi-journal-of-biological-sciences/1319562x/archive/38/).
Asrar, A. A. (2011). The role of arbuscular mycorrhiza in protection of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plants against heavy metal toxicity in sewage contaminated soil. Journal Plant production, Mansoura University, 2 (8): 1047-1060.
Asrar, A. A. (2011). Seed germination induction of Hommaidh (Rumex vesicarius L.) by gibberellic acids and temperature applications. American-Eurasian J. Agric and Environ Science, 10 (3): 310 – 317.
Asrar, A. A; El-Nashar, Y. I. and Al-Rashedy, M. M. (2011). Effect of different irrigation levels on growth of two hybrid bermudagrass cultivars. Journal of the Advances in Agricultural Researches, 15; 930-946.
Asrar, A. A.; Al-mana, F. A.; El-Nashar, Y. I. and Al-Rashedy, M. M. (2010). Effect of various growth media on vegetative growth of two hybrid bermudagrass cultivars. Journal of the Advances in Agricultural Researches, 15; 935-960.
Asrar, A. A. (2009). Effect of growth media on vegetative growth and flowering of Rumex vesicarius, L. (Hommaidh). Alex. J. Agric. Res. Faculty of Agric., Alexandria Univ., 54(3): 73-80.
Alrasheedi, M. D., Asrar, A. A., Almanea, F. A. (2007). Effects of various soil mixes and different irrigation levels on performance of two hybrid bermudagrass cultivars. Master thesis, Plant Pro. Dept., College of Food & Agric. Sciences, K.S.U. pp 115.
Asrar, A. A., F. A. Al-Mana, I. A. Mohammed-Ahmad. (2007). Investigating means and methods for developing and utilizing national parks. National research project, no. DSR-AR-06, Dean of Scientific Research, K.S.U. pp 566.
Asrar, A. A. (2001). Effects of initial water stress on water relations and vase life of cut carnation flowers. Alex. Sci. Exch. for Soil & Water Research, 22(3): 313-322.
Asrar, A. A. (2000). Effects of glycerol on water relations and keeping quality of two cut rose cultivars. Annals Agric., Sci., Ain Shams Univ., Cairo, Egypt, 45(2): 679-688.
Asrar, A. A. (2000). Seed germination and seedling growth and development of Hommaidh (Rumex vesicarius, L.). Assiut J. Agric. Sci., Faculty of Agric., Assiut Univ., Assiut, Egypt, 31(5): 95-104.
Asrar, A. A. (1988). Effects of using different water types in Riyadh district on keeping quality of cut roses. J. King Saud Univ., Agric. Sci., 10(1): 101-105.
Funded Researches and National Projects:
§ Co-investigator in the project entitled “Mycorrhizas and soil salinity: rehabilitation of degraded salt lands and improving the tolerance and quality of some ornamental, aromatic and medicinal plants in Saudi Arabia (12-AGR2607-02)” funded from National science, technology and Innovation plan, strategic Technology Program (KACST). http://npst.ksu.edu.sa.
§ Pi-investigator in the project entitled " Novel technology of mycorrhizal symbiosis in phytoremediation of heavy metals in wastewater contaminated soils in saudi Arabia (13-BIO18-03)" submitted to National science, technology and Innovation plan, strategic Technology Program (KACST). http://npst.ksu.edu.sa
§ "Novel technology of mycorrhizal symbiosis in phytoremediation of heavy metals in wastewater contaminated soils in Saudi Arabia". Submitted to the national Plan for Sciences and Technology, king Abdulaziz City for Science and technology (KACST), kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
§ "Investigating means and methods for advancing and utilizing national parks". Funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research at KSU (Finished).
§ "A study on germination, growth development, and use of Hommaidh plants (wild herbaceous indigenous plants) in landscape design and gardening". Funded by Agricultural Research Center, College of Agriculture, KSU (Partially finished).
§ "Studies on growth and production of different cultivars of Dendranthema x grandiflorum used as cut and container plants under Riyadh conditions and their landscape uses". Funded by Agricultural Research Center, College of Agriculture, KSU.
6. Participation in Conferences, Symposia and Other Activities:
For example, I participated in:
« The 28th meeting of the Saudi Biological Society titled” Eco-tourism and Sustainable Development” organized by Hail University, Saudi Arabia from 28/5-1/6/1434 (9-11/4/2013).
« The 3rd International conference on “Slow and Controlled Release and Stabilized fertilizers” by paper titled “Effect of foliar sprays with alar and osmocote-slow release fertilizer on growth and flower quality of four genotypes of chrysanthemum plants’ organized by the Royal Tulip Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil held on 30/4-3/5-1434 (12-15/3/2013).
« The workshop of “salt tolerant tomato lines: Analysis of Agronomic traits and genetic biomarkers” organized by vegetable breeding unit and plant biotechnology lab. and national plan for Science and Technology, king Saud University which held on 14-15 /5/1434 (26-27 /3/2013).
« The 5th International Conference on water Resources and Arid Environment (ICWRAE) which held in king Saud University from 25-27/2/1434 (7-9/1/2013).
« The workshop of “Biodiversity of Insects in Roudhat Khuraim” organized by plant protection department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, king saud University which held on 25/2/1434 (7/1/2013).
« The 2nd Saudi International Nanotechnology Conference organized by king Abdululaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) which held on 25-27/12/1433 (11-13/11/2012).
« The Saudi International Environmental Technology Conference organized by king Abdululaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) held on 22-24/6/1433 (13-15/5/2012).
« The 36th Scientific meeting of Saudi Society for Agricultural Sciences on “Design gardens and Public parks” organized by King Saud University held on 3/6/1433 (24/4/2012).
« The 10th Water Desalination Conference in the Arab Countries (arwadwx 2012) organized by king Faisal Conferences, Riyadh Intercontinental Hotel held on 16-19/5/1433 (11/3/2012).
« The 27th meeting of the Saudi Biological Society titled “Economics of Environment and natural Resources’ organized by Gazan University, Saudi Arabia held on 13-15/4/1433 (6-8/3/2012).
« The 1st Scientific Conference for the development of the date palm and dates Sector in the Arab World organized by by king Abdululaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) which held on 9-12/1/1433 (4-7/12/2011).
« The Saudi International water Technology Conference organized by king Abdululaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabia which held on 25-26/12/1432 (21-22/11/2011).
« The workshop about databases and Digital library, King Saud University organized College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University held on 24/11/1432 (22/10/2011).
« The 26th meeting of the Saudi Biological Society titled “Climate changes and Biological Diversity” organized by Taif University, Saudi Arabia held on 7-9/6/1432 (11-13/5/2011).
« The workshop titled “Gray water – Legislation and Application” organized by Soil Science Department, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University held on 28/12/2010.
« The 4th International Conference titled “water resources and Arid Environments” organized by king Abdululaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) which held on 6-8/12/2010.
« Workshop about: Greening the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA): the 2 x 2 challenge (2 x more green with 2 x less water) by paper titled “Water Saving and Soil Pollutant Reduction using a Mycorrhizal fungal technique in Saudi Arabia” organized by Alterra Wageningen University, Holland held during 17-21/11/1431 (25-29/10/2010).
« The 24th meeting of the Saudi Biological Society titled “Nanotechnology in life Science’ organized by king Faisal University, Saudi Arabia held on 27-29/5/1431 (11-13/5/2010).
« The 23th meeting of the Saudi Biological Society titled “Biotechnology in life Science’ organized by Tiba University, Saudi Arabia held on 7-9/4/2009.
« The "6th International Symposium on Light in Horticulture", organized by ISHS and held on November 15-19, 2009 in Epochal Tsukuba Center, Tsukuba, Japan.
« Workshop about: Towards sustainable Green Cities in arid areas; greenery and modern agriculture in a sustainable urban environment. Water Saving Approach, organized with the Agricultural Office of the Royal Netherland Embassy in Riyadh with Wageningen University and Research Center, and Dutch private sectors, Al-Nahkeel Hotel, Riyadh, SA. May 9, 11, 2009.
« The 1st International Conference in Biotechnology: "Towards Building Economic Knowledge", King Fahad Cultural Center, Riyadh, SA, Feb.16-18, 2009.
« The meeting of agricultural expertise with the occasion of Saudi Agricultural Exhibition 2008. Royal Netherland Embassy, Riyadh, SA., Nov. 24, 2008.
« Workshop about: "Chinese Experience in Nano Manufacturing", King Abdullah institute for Nano Technology, KSU, Riyadh, May 25-27, 2008.
« The 4th International Symposium of Development and Ecology: The Balance between Development and Protecting the Environment. Saudi Society for Agric. Sciences, KSU, Riyadh, March 18, 2008.
« "The Ecological Residencies' Forum". The High Council of Tourism, Marriott Hotel, Riyadh, SA, July 19, 2005.
« The Forum of Tourism in the King Dom of Saudi Arabia: Elements and Possibilities. The High Council of Tourism in association with college of Discipline, KSU, Riyadh, May 3-6, 2004.
« The Symposium of "Role of Parks and gardens in leisure and environmental conservation", April 23-25, 2002, organized by Arab Urban Development Institute in cooperation with Amman City Hall, Amman, Jordon, presented a scientific paper entitled: “Aerial Pollutants and the role of plants in environmental conservation".
« Attended the symposium of “Reuse of treated municipal waste water in agricultural purposes", Sept. 21, 2002, organized by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, held at Prince Salman Social Center, Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, held at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
« Participated in the training course of "Restriction of the environmental pollution and pollutants classifications", Oct. 27-31, 2001, held by the Arabian Council for Higher Studies and Scientific Research of the Union of Arabian Universities, Cairo, Egypt.
« Participated in all the Tree Plantation Week’s Annual workshops since 1996 till now (organized by the Plant Production Department in cooperation with the Arab Urban Development Institute) with many lectures in various subjects, such as:
Turf grasses and their use in sports and in landscape design.
The role of gardens and parks in promoting eco-tourism.
The residential gardens and their components.
Uses of the indigenous trees in landscape design.
Signs of environmental pollution and the role of plants in curbing them.
7. Consultancies, Community Services and Scientific Cooperation with other Institutes:
For example:
Participating in Ch 1 SA TV program (Good Morning Saudi) about home gardening and landscaping, 2012.
Attending and participating the activities of the annual Zanabig Floral Design Contest (ZFDC) organized by the Agricultural Office of the Royal Netherland Embassy and Al-Zanabig International Trade Est., Riyadh, KSA since 2000 up to now.
Participating in the Dutch survey-mission (from Wageningen University and Research Center, and private sectors) about Green cities and Agroparks in arid regions proposal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, organized with the Agricultural Office of the Royal Netherland Embassy. Moreover, organizing and participating in the workshop of "Towards Sustainable Green City Developments": greenery and modern agriculture in a sustainable urban environment, and water saving approach, held in Riyadh in 5/9-11/2009.
Participating in the "Technical Consultations" program at the 3rd Flower Festival held in Riyadh during March 20-30, 2007.
Offering consultations for the project of "Study and Design Al-Baha Park" as requested by the Ministry of Agriculture in association with the Office of Ecology: Planners, Architects and Engineers in Feb. 4, 2006.
Offering consultations for the project of: The Eine Village and its tourism preparation" as requested by the Ministry of Agriculture, April 19, 2006.
Offering recommendations and suggestions regarding developing natural areas for tourism in Aseer district, as requested by the High commission of tourism, via a special workshop in Abha city, October 14, 2004.
Cooperated with the Municipality of Al-Riyadh City in writing the guidelines for designing and constructing parks and gardens in new residential areas.
Developed a Centennial Garden design and supervised the establishment of the garden at the College of Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh, on the annual “Tree Week”, 1990/2000.
Developed a landscape design for the Animal Farm of the Animal Production Department, College of Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh, 1990/2000.
Participating in a TV show (in cooperation with the Center of sound distributing and media production, KSU and the Saudi TV channel # 1) about :
o "The importance of plants and turf grasses in the process of plantation and landscaping of gardens". March 8, 1998.
o "Local trees and their roles in promoting tourism and protecting the environment". October 20, 2002.
o "Towards better use and care of trees and flowers". 1997.
o "Ramadan Contest for Adults". 1996.
A radio station talk, The Good Land Program, The King Dom of Saudi Arabia's Radio Station, about
§ "Regulation of irrigation processes, and saving water", 1996.
§ "Ecological pollutants and the importance role of plants in protecting
§ and maintaining the ecology system". Broadcasted in March 24, 1995.
Presenting lectures at College of Behavior, Geography Dept., General girls
education presidency, Riyadh, about:
o "Modern House Gardens, and Elements Considered when Designed", March 11, 1998.
o The function of trees in preserving and maintaining the safety of the ecology ", 1997.
In addition, many newspapers’ and magazines’ scientific and specialized articles were written covering areas such as ornamental horticulture, residential gardens, environmental pollution and other agricultural issues. Moreover, I participated in several radio and TV shows concerned about the environment, pollution, parks, residential gardens, and ornamental plants. I have also offered consultations to many related agricultural governmental and private sectors.