Haitham Ayyad | Environmental effects | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Haitham M. Ayyad is an accomplished Associate Professor of Geology at the Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, with more than fifteen years of specialized experience in stratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy, and micropaleontology. His work integrates advanced field investigations with rigorous laboratory analyses, making him a versatile geoscientist capable of contributing to academic, governmental, and industry-focused geological research. Dr. Ayyad’s research centers on marine micropaleontology, particularly the biostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental applications of foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils, which he employs to reconstruct Cenozoic depositional environments and refine global chronostratigraphic frameworks. His PhD and Master’s research laid the foundation for his long-standing focus on the Miocene successions of west-central Sinai, where he developed integrated biostratigraphic models that enhance understanding of paleoclimate variability and sequence stratigraphic evolution. Over the years, he has become widely recognized for his expertise in high-resolution microfossil analysis, quantitative micropaleontology, biochronology, and multidisciplinary approaches to paleoceanographic reconstruction. Dr. Ayyad is highly skilled in optical and scanning electron microscopy, foraminiferal preparation techniques, nannofossil absolute abundance analysis, and scientific data management. His contributions have earned him multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for distinguished international publishing and Best Presentation prizes at national paleontology conferences. Since joining Al-Azhar University in 2007, he has progressed through academic ranks—from instructor to assistant lecturer, lecturer, and ultimately associate professor—while teaching core geology courses such as stratigraphy, micropaleontology, paleoecology, sequence stratigraphy, and the geology of Egypt. His ongoing research aims to develop advanced microfossil-based climate proxies, strengthen paleoenvironmental models, and contribute to broader efforts in understanding Earth’s climate system across geological timescales.