- A425, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- hail.rihan@plymouth.ac.uk

Profiles
Dr Hail Rihan
Senior Research Fellow
School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Biography
Biography
PhD-MRSB-FHEA- Plant Biotechnology - University of Plymouth.
Consultant Professor- KACST-KSA.
Visiting Professor-University of Jeddah- KSA.
Qualifications
University of Plymouth (July 2019): Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (60 credits, Master’s Degree level programme). The programme is aligned with the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) and the Academic Professional Standard (AP). It is an internationally recognised PGCAP qualification to teach in higher education. Advanced Higher Education (August 2019) (Fellow in the Advanced Higher Education Academy (UK)) University of Plymouth (1st May 2013): Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology and Seed Production
University of Damascus 2007: B.Sc. in Agriculture Engineering with an overall mean of 83.44 % (Ranked No 1 in over 600 students graduating from all Faculties of Agriculture in Syrian Universities, 2007). |
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Professional membership
1. External assessor of the Higher Diploma in Environmental Sustainability at Tabuk University, 2019.
2. Member of the external review panel for grant proposals of the International Corporation Program /Jeddah University/KSA (2018).
3. Member of the Royal Society of Biology (from March 2017 to present).
4. Higher Education Academy (HEA) UK (since 2010).
5. Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) (2009 - 2016).
6. International Society for Horticulture Science (ISHS) (2011-2013).
7. Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) (2010-2011).
8. Postgraduate Society/University of Plymouth/ (from 2010 -2014)/acted Chairman of the Society for the year 2012.
9. Plymouth University Graduate Committee (2012-2013).
10. School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences Research Committee (2012-2013).
11. School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences Safety Committee (2012-2013).
12. Topic editor at “Plants” journal.
13. Editorial board member in Anbar Journal of Agricultural Science (ISSN: 19927479 / EISSN: 26176211).
14. Editorial board member in “Journal of University of Babylon” for Pure and Applied Sciences, (JUBPAS). Online ISSN: 2312-8135. Print ISSN: 1992-0652
15. I am currently a reviewer for the following peer review journals:
· Scientia Horticulturae
· African Journal of Biotechnology.
· Journal of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.
· Journal of HortScience.
· Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395; CODEN: ABSGGL)
· South African Journal of Botany.
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Plymouth University (UK) 10/04/2016 to current
| Post-doctoral research Fellow/lecturer at the School of Biological sciences. I am conducting research on the use of different LED lighting systems on the growth, development and yield of high value crops. I also teach in the following modules (BIOL 111 (Animal and plant physiology)- BIOL 301 (Plant Biotechnology) - Biol 217 (Environmental Plant Physiology), GEES001 (Study and Mathematical Skills for Science), Molecular Biology Techniques Podule Leader in Biol 307 (Advanced Skills and Concepts) and Module Leader of Biol0014 (Issues in Biology)
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Damascus University 11/10/2014 to 08/04/2016
| Lecturer at the Department of Horticulture / Faculty of Agriculture. I was responsible for designing and delivering the following modules: Genetic improving of Plants - Seed Production- - Winter Vegetable Production (fourth year courses)- Plant Tissue Culture- Techniques of Vegetable Production (Master level)
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Plymouth University 2012 to 2014
| Associate Lecturer in the School of Biomedical and Biological Sciences/Faculty of Science and Technology. I was responsible for designing, delivering and assessing 150 students in Module Bio 005 Extended Science. I also conducted research on the molecular mechanism of cold tolerance in wheat.
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Plymouth University 01/02 to 26/04/2014
| Teaching Assistant in the School of Biological Sciences. My duty was to help in delivering lectures in various plant science and molecular biology modules, and in addition conducting research on plant micro-propagation and plant abiotic stress tolerance.
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Plymouth University 2010-2012 | I worked as a Demonstrator, which required the supervision of undergraduate practical classes, with responsibility for groups of up to fifty.
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University of Damascus 2008-2009 | I worked as a Teaching Assistant, teaching practical aspects of several modules (Plant Genetic Improvement and Plant Protected Culture modules).
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Arab Centre for Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) 2007-2008 | I worked as an expert in fruit tree production. As part of my duties in the centre I delivered lectures in courses at the Arabic centre designed for agricultural engineers from various Middle Eastern countries. I also delivered talks on open days, which the Arabic Centre arranged regularly. |
Research
Research
Research interests
Ø I am interested in micro-propagation and artificial seed production research. I also conducted research on cauliflower and ornamental plant tissue culture.
Ø I am also interested in the instigation the molecular mechanism of plant abiotic stress tolerance (e.g. monitoring gene expression profiles/ patterns and gene regulatory networks for understanding genetic control for crop improvement). I have processed research on the breeding of wheat and cauliflower using bio molecular techniques in order to improve its resistance to abiotic stresses (drought,cold and salinity).
Ø Recently, I have been conducting research on the development of the commercial use of new generation LED technologies forintensive hydroponic culture production of high value crops (Plant factory).
Ø I was the winner of the Vice Chancellor award for the EarlyCareer Researcher in the Expert Category for 2012 at Plymouth University.
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
1. I have supervised a number of undergraduate studentswith their Honours Projects at both Damascus and Plymouth Universities. I havealso co-supervised 2 visiting Postdoctoral Fellows from Egypt and Iraq atPlymouth University.
2. I also supervised PhD student at PlymouthUniversity/UK. Her thesis was under the title of “The influence of exogenouslyapplied “anti-stress” agents in the upregulation of the drought response inIraqi wheat varieties “. She defended her thesis successfully.
3. I am currently supervising a ResM student and 5 taughtmaster students. The work of these students focuses on the optimization andautomation of the plant facuty agricultural systems. Moreover, they aim at investigatingthe effect of supplementary LED lighting to improve the growth and quality ofpharmaceutical plant species.
4. An internal examiner in the recent ResM examination atPlymouth University (2018).
Grants & contracts
1. Principle investigator in a research grant (£12400) obtained from the Seale-Hyane Educational Trust to conduct research under the title “The optimisation of the production of clean pharmaceutical plant species with a stable, consistent concentration of important secondary metabolic products through a Plant Factory system”. (Grant Number: RR204307-101).
2. Co-Principle investigator in a research grant (£8900) obtained from the Seale-Hyane Educational Trust to conduct research under the title “Improving energy efficiency of a plant factory: can plant growth be sustained under high temperatures when exposed to specific light spectra?”.
3. Co- principle Investigator in a research grant obtained from the UK Government’s Gulf Science Innovation and Knowledge Economy (GSIKE) Programme to conduct a research under the title “Indoor vertical farming using a plant factory system with artificial lighting powered by PV solar panels for efficient year around production of food crops in Saudi Arabia” (Grant Reference: 372577372- £57000).
4. Named Investigating researcher in a research grant (Cornwall Agri-Tech project- Plant Factory, Cornwall) (£280000) obtained from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (2017) (Grant number: TT203426-105).
5. Named Investigating researcher in a research grant (£7,814) from the Seale-Hyane Educational Trust to conduct research under the title “Towards the development of Plant Factories: development of the commercial use of new generation LED technologies for intensive production of high value crops” (2016).
6. Named Investigating researcher in a research grant (£6000) from the Seale-Hyane Educational Trust to conduct research under the title “The effects of molybdenum on cauliflower cold tolerance and the molecular mechanism of these effects” (2013).
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
1. Rihan, H.Z., Aljafer, N., Jbara, M.H., McCallum, L., Lengger, S., and Fuller, M.P. The Impact of LED Lighting Spectra in a Plant Factory on the Growth, Physiological Traits and Essential Oil Content of Lemon Balm (Malesia Offenalis). Plants (Under review).
2. Chetty, S., Naidoo, Y., Dewir, Y.H., Lin, J and Rihan, H.Z., Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using leaf extract of Heteropyxis natalensis and their Antibacterial efficacy by, ScienceAsia (accepted-in production).
3. Mohamed, S.J., Rihan, H.Z., Aljafer, N. and Fuller, M.P., 2021. The Impact of Light Spectrum and Intensity on the Growth, Physiology, and Antioxidant Activity of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Plants, 10(10), p.2162.
4. Naidoo, Y., Dladla, T., Dewir, Y.H., Gangaram, S., Naidoo, C.M. and Rihan, H.Z., 2021. The Micromorphology and Histochemistry of Foliar Mixed Indumentum of Leucas lavandulaefolia (Lamiaceae). Plants, 10(9), p.1767.
5. Lamani, S., Anu-Appaiah, K.A., Murthy, H.N., Dewir, Y.H. and Rihan, H.Z., 2021. Fatty Acid Profile, Tocopherol Content of Seed Oil, and Nutritional Analysis of Seed Cake of Wood Apple (Limonia acidissima L.), an Underutilized Fruit-Yielding Tree Species. Horticulturae, 7(9), p.275.
6. Naidoo, Y., Rikisahedew, J.J., Dewir, Y.H., Ali, A.A. and Rihan, H.Z., 2021. Foliar micromorphology, ultrastructure and histochemical analyses of Tagetes minuta L. leaves. Micron, 150, p.103125.
7. Al-Swedi, F.G., Alshamari, M., Al_Zaidi, I.H.M. and Rihan, H.Z., 2020. Impact of Salinity Stress on Seed Germination in Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa). Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera, 51(1), pp.374-385.
8. Hayyawi, N.J.H., Al-Issawi, M.H., Alrajhi, A.A., Al-Shmgani, H. and Rihan, H., 2020. Molybdenum Induces Growth, Yield, and Defence System Mechanisms of the Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) under Water Stress Conditions. International Journal of Agronomy, 2020.
9. Rihan, H.Z., Aldarkazali, M., Mohamed, S.J., McMulkin, N.B., Jbara, M.H. and Fuller, M.P., 2020. A Novel New Light Recipe Significantly Increases the Growth and Yield of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Grown in Plant Factory System. Agronomy, 10(7), p.934.
10. Aldarkazali, M.; Rihan, H.Z.; Carne, D.; Fuller, M.P. 2019. The Growth and Development of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) and Bush Basil (Ocimum minimum) Grown under Three Light Regimes in a Controlled Environment. Agronomy. 9, 743.
11. Klein, F.B., Wilmot, A., de Tejada, V.F., Rodriguez, B.L., Requena, I., Busch, S., Rondepierre, A., Auzeeri, T., Sauerwald, T., Andrews, W.F.P. and Rihan, H. Z., 2019. Proof-of-concept modular robot platform for cauliflower harvesting. In Precision agriculture’19 (pp. 244-255). Wageningen Academic Publishers.
12. Kareem, F., Rihan H.Z., Fuller M.P. 2019. The effect of Salicylic acid on the induction of the drought response regulon in wheat. J. Crop Sci. Biotech. 22: 37–45. DOI No. 10.1007/s12892-017-0180-0.
13. Abdullah, A., Rihan, H. Z. 2018. The Relationship between Yield Parameters and Morphological Characters for Barley: Evaluating linear and Non-linear models. Agri Res & Tech: Open Access J. 14(1): 555907. DOI: 10.19080/ARTOAJ.2018.14.555907
14. Al-Issawi, M., Faiath E, S., Rihan, H.Z. Erdeaan, M.K. 2018. Stimulation of LOS5/ABA3 and antioxidant enzymes of half diallel crosses of maize under water stress conditions. Res. J. Biotech., 34: 48-56.
15. Al Shamari, M., Rihan, H. Z., Fuller, M.P., 2018. An effective protocol for the production of primary and secondary somatic embryos in cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. botrytis). Agri Res & Tech: Open Access J. 14(1): 555908. DOI:10.19080/ARTOAJ.2018. 14.555908.
16. Al-Zahrani, H.S., Almaghrabi, O.A., El-Malky, M.M., Metwali, E.M. and Rihan, H.L., 2018. Development of Nutrient-Rich and Blast-Resistant Rice Cultivars through Tissue Culture and Monogenic Lines. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 20(11), pp.2508-2520.
17. Kareem, F., Rihan, H. Z., Fuller, M.P. 2017. The Effect of Exogenous Applications of Salicylic Acid and Molybdenum on the Tolerance of Drought in Wheat. Agri Res & Tech: Open Access J.; 9(4): 555768. DOI: 10.19080/ARTOAJ.2017.09.5557
18. Mahmood, B.J., Rihan, H. Z., Foulkes, M.E., Burchett, S. The Effect of Drought on Phytochemical active Compounds Content in Chamomile and Yarrow. 2017. Agri Res & Tech: Open Access J. 12(4): 555855. DOI: 10.19080/ARTOAJ.2017.12.555855.
19. Rihan, H. Z., Al-Issawi, M., El Mahrouk M., Fuller, M.P. 2017. Artificial Seeds (Principle, Aspects and Applications). Agronomy, 7(4), p.71.
20. Rihan, H.Z., Al-Issawi, M. and Fuller, M.P., 2017. Upregulation of CBF/DREB1 and cold tolerance in artificial seeds of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis). Scientia Horticulturae, 225, pp.299-309.
21. Rihan. H.Z., Al-Issawi, M., Fuller M. 2017. An analysis of the development of cauliflower seed as a model to improve the molecular mechanism of abiotic stress tolerance in cauliflower artificial seeds. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 116, 91-105.
22. Rihan, H.Z., Al-Issawi, M. and Fuller, M.P., 2017. Advances in physiological and molecular aspects of plant cold tolerance. Journal of Plant Interactions, 12(1), pp.143-157.
23. El Mahrouk, M., Dewir, Y. H., Murthy, H. N., Rihan, H. Z., Al-Shmgani, H. S., Fuller, M. P. 2016. Effect of photosynthetic photon flux density on growth, photosynthetic competence and antioxidant enzymes activity during ex vitro acclimatization of Dieffenbachia cultivars. Plant Growth Regulation, 79, 29-37.
24. Al-Issawi, M., Rihan, H. Z., Al-Shmgani,H. & Fuller, M. P. 2015a. Molybdenum application enhances antioxidant enzyme activity and COR15a protein expression under cold stress in wheat. Journal of Plant Interactions, 1-22.
25. Al-Issawi, M., Rihan, H. Z., Mahdi, U. H. & Fuller, M. P. 2015b. Frost Hardiness of Iraqi Wheat genotypes. Diyalal Agricultural Sciences Journal, 7 (1).
26. Al Shamari, M., Rihan, H.Z., Al Swedi, F. and Fuller, M.P. 2015. The use of Somatic Embryogenesis in Artificial Seeds Production in Cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var.botrytis). Acta Horticulturae 1099, 399-406. DOI:10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1099.46.
27. Dewir, Y., El Mahrouk, M., Hafez, Y., Rihan, H. Z. & Saez, C. 2015a. Antioxidative capacity and electrolyte leakage in healthy versus phytoplasma infected tissues of Euphorbia coerulescens and Orbea gigantea. J Plant Physiol Pathol 3, 1, 2.
28. Dewir, Y. H., El Mahrouk, M. E.-S., Al-Shmgani, H. S., Rihan, H. Z., Teixeira Da Silva, J. A. & Fuller, M. P. 2015b. Photosynthetic and biochemical characterization of in vitro-derived African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha H. Wendl) plants in ex vitro conditions. Journal of Plant Interactions, 10, 101-108.
29. Rihan, H.Z., Al-Shamari M., Al-Swedi, F., Burchett, S and Fuller, M.P. 2015. The effect of sugar type, source and concentration on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var botrytis) microshoot production. Acta Horticulturae. 1099, 87-94. DOI:10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1099.6
30. Rihan, H.Z., Al-Issawi, M., Al-Shamari, M., Elmahrouk, M. and Fuller, M.P. 2015. Plant abiotic stress tolerance analysis in cauliflower using a curd micropropagation system. Acta Horticulturae, 1083, 43-52. DOI:10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1083.3
31. Rihan, H. Z., Al-Issawi, M., Al Shamari, M., Woldie, W., Kiernan M., Fuller, M. 2014. The effect of molybdenum on the molecular control of cold tolerance in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) artificial seeds. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Culture (PCTOC):1-14. doi:10.1007/s11240-014-0475-7.
32. Al-Issawi, M. Rihan, H. Z. El-Sarkassy, N. & Fuller, M. P. 2013. Frost Hardiness Expression and Characterisation in Wheat at Ear Emergence. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 199, 66-74.
33. Al-Issawi, M. Rihan, H. Z. Woldie, W. A., Burchett, S & Fuller, M. P. 2013. Exogenous application of molybdenum affects the expression of CBF14 and the development of frost tolerance in wheat. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 63, 77-81.
34. Fuller, M. P., Hamza, J. H., Rihan, H. Z. & Al-Issawi, M. 2012. Germination of Primed Seed under NaCl Stress in Wheat. ISRN Botany, 2012, 5.
35. Al Shamari M., Rihan, H.Z., Al-Swedi, F., Lane, S. and Fuller, M.P. 2012.Regeneration of cauliflower (Brassica olereacea var. botrytis) via somatic embryogenesis. 12th Congress of the European Society for Agronomy, Helsinki, Finland, 20-24 August. P: 482-483.
36. Al-Swedi, F., Al Shamari M., Rihan, H.Z., Lane, S. and Fuller M.P. 2012. Micropropagation and genetic transformation in Brassica olereacea var. botrytis. 12th Congress of the European Society for Agronomy, Helsinki, Finland, 20-24 August 2012. P: 252-253.
37. Rihan, H. Z. Al-Issawi, M. Al-Swedi, F & Fuller, M. P. 2012. The effect of using PPM (plant preservative mixture) on the development of cauliflower micro-shoots and the quality of artificial seed produced. Scientia Horticulturae, 141, 47-52. (Article reviewed and featured in Agricell Reports). (Article selected and featured on Earth Emphasis website) (http://earthemphasis.com/key-research-articles/the-effect-of-using-ppm-plant-preservative-mixture-on-the-development-of-cauliflower-microshoots-and-the-quality-of-artificial-seed-produced/
38. Rihan, H.Z., Al-Issawi, M., Burchett, S. and Fuller, M.P. (2012 Artificial seed production from encapsulated micro-shoots of cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. botrytis. Acta Hortic. 961, 419-425. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.961.55 . https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.961.55
39. Rihan, H.Z., Al Shamari, M. and Fuller, M.P. (2012). The production of cauliflower micro-shoots using curd meristematic tissues and hypocotyl-derived callus. Acta Hortic. 961, 427-434. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.961.56https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2012.961.56
40. Rihan, H. Z., Al-Issawi, M., Burchett, S. & Fuller, M. P. 2011. Encapsulation of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) micro-shoots as artificial seeds and their conversion and growth in commercial substrates. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), 107, 243-250. (This article was reviewed and featured in Agricell Reports Vol 57 no 5. This international review newsletter selects the most noteworthy publications in the field of plant biotechnology each month).
Personal
Personal
Conferences organised
1. Plant factory launch event- 15/08/2018- SkardonGarden, University of Plymouth, UK.
2. Hands-On Proteomics and Data Analysis Workshop(Protein Structure, Extraction and Quantification, Western Blot, ELISA, 2D GelElectrophoresis, Mass Spectrometry and Data Analysis), Plymouth University-14th– 17th July 2014. (108 credits from the society of biology, 32 credits from theinstitution of biomedical sciences).
3. Hands-on Genomics Techniques (PCR, qPCR, Digital PCR,Bioinformatics and Data Analysis) workshop, Plymouth University 23th – 26th June2014. (108 credits from the Society of Biology, 32 credits from the Institutionof Biomedical Sciences).
4. “AgriScience into Practice" 4th CARS PostgraduateSymposium, 6th June, 2014 BBSRC North Wyke ExperimentalStation - Rothamstead Research Centre, UK
5. The CARS (Centre for Agricultural and RuralSustainability) Annual Conference, 19th June 2013, Duchy College,UK.
6. Hands-On Proteomics Workshop (Protein Structure,Extraction and Quantification, Western Blot, ELISA, 2D Gel Electrophoresis,Mass Spectrometry and Data Analysis. 1st-3rd July 2013.Plymouth University, UK.
7. Hands-onMolecular Biology Techniques (PCR, qPCR, Bioinformatics and Data Analysis). 26th-28th June 2013. Plymouth University..
8. Hands-onMolecular Biology Techniques (PCR, qPCR, Bioinformatics and Data Analysis). 26th-28th June 2013. Plymouth University..
9. Practical Techniques in Molecular Biology workshop, 16th-19thJuly, 2012. Plymouth University, United Kingdom.
10. The PostgraduateSociety annual conference. Plymouth University, June 26, 2012.
Additional information
· I haveundertaken, Health and Safety, Unconscious Bias, and Equality and Diversitycourses at the University of Plymouth.
· IT skills :2008 - ICDL (international computer driving licence) certificate, competent useof Microsoft packages including Word, Access, and Excel. I have also goodexperience working with statistical programmes including Minitab and SPSS.
· Languages and communication skills : Advanced level, I am fluent inEnglish (speaking, reading, listening, and writing).
· Project management : Since I regularly supervise students and farmers, Ihave learned to manage my time and to use project resources efficiently. I usedalso to attend plant management meetings at ACSAD and themeetings of the Horticulture Department (University of Damascus). I also attendregular meeting at the School of Bioilogical and Marin Sciences (University ofPlymouth) which improved my negotiation proficiency and my ability to planfuture work strategies.