A wave of hands-on discovery and scientific storytelling marked the participation of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) students in OceanQuest’s inaugural odyssey — the “Around Africa Expedition.” 

The voyage marked an important step in expanding KAUST’s engagement in deep-sea research, strengthened through its partnership with OceanQuest — a collaboration designed to amplify training, exploration and international visibility in marine science. 

“It was an inspiring experience to live, work and collaborate with my colleagues from all around Africa,” said Ali Alabyadh, a Ph.D. candidate in the Marine Microbiomes Lab led by KAUST Professor Raquel Peixoto. He added: “We learned a lot together and from each other, and we were exposed to different disciplines of ocean science.” 

Launched in January 2025, three KAUST Ph.D. candidates joined early-career scientists from across the globe, with a strong focus on African representation, aboard the state-of-the-art research vessel RV OceanXplorer. Organized in partnership with OceanX, OceanQuest’s first deep-sea expedition combined research, practical training and science communication. The initiative, led by OceanQuest and supported by KAUST, reflects a shared commitment to next-generation talent development and advancing ocean science in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030. 

Starting in Moroni, Comoros, the expedition’s first leg explored the Indian Ocean near Africa down to Cape Town, South Africa, focusing on biodiversity assessments across multiple seamounts. The second leg, dedicated to early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs), continued northward to Walvis Bay, Namibia, and Mindelo, Cabo Verde, where the final phase of scientific work was carried out. From there, the vessel sailed onward with a new group of ECOPs to Las Palmas, Canary Islands, marking the end of the expedition. 

Dr. Nico Augustin, Research and Expeditions Director at OceanQuest, said this initial voyage offered KAUST students an “internship at sea,” complete with hands-on training using marine equipment and collecting samples. Unlike classroom learning, he noted, the unpredictable ocean environment demanded adaptability and built confidence, delivering real-world experience essential for future marine scientists and stronger academic and career profiles. 

Murtadha Al Malallah, a Ph.D. candidate in Earth Science and Engineering working under Professor Froukje van der Zwan’s supervision, joined the first leg as a geologist. He learned deep-ocean mapping techniques and collected volcanic rock samples to investigate the origins of seamount formations in the southwestern Indian Ocean. “By learning about how seamounts form there, we can also learn about the seamounts in Saudi Arabia.” 

Participating in the second leg of the expedition were Alabyadh and fellow Ph.D. candidate Ahmed Alsaggaf, who both study at KAUST under Peixoto’s supervision. Alsaggaf said his three weeks aboard the vessel involved biological exploration, deep-sea organism identification, water sampling for genetic sequencing, and measuring carbon chemistry in the water column to assess the impact of ocean acidification in the region. 

Originally planned to disembark earlier, both students were lucky to be invited by OceanQuest to stay on for the Cabo Verde science mission, as additional berths became available when some researchers could not join. 

“As a marine scientist working on coral preservation and restoration, I was able to see how different corals can survive through global stressors and build reefs and communities underwater,” Alsaggaf added. “I also experienced active field research in new ways I was not exposed to before — experiences that I would like to translate back to my Ph.D. for sure.” 

OceanQuest, a Saudi nonprofit based at KAUST, was only recently officially launched to advance deep-ocean discovery, innovation and global collaboration in support of Vision 2030. While its first expedition is practically complete, it will officially conclude with the vessel’s arrival in Nice, France, for the United Nations Ocean Conference, taking place June 9-13. 

Communication matters 

A primary component of the OceanQuest-OceanX expedition was media training — offering participants practical experience in science communication, content creation and public engagement at sea. According to Augustin, deep-sea research often lags in public visibility, despite being fascinating and critical to understanding the planet. The “Around Africa Expedition,” in part, aimed to empower young scientists to share discoveries and raise public awareness through impactful outreach. 

For Alsaggaf and Al Malallah, the expedition highlighted the power of visual storytelling to make science accessible, spark curiosity and connect with wider audiences. Alabyadh said the practical photography and videography skills he gained while working on six short films significantly expanded his approach to science communication. 

“I came back to KAUST with so much enthusiasm and creative ideas for sharing my stories and scientific work with the wider community for ocean advocacy.” 

KAUST support 

Building on KAUST’s strong support for young scientists, Al Malallah described OceanQuest as a vital platform for Saudi talent to push scientific boundaries and raise awareness alongside researchers from around the world — particularly from Africa. “Moreover, the combination of experiences from a variety of scientific disciplines and technical expertise was very helpful in improving my problem-solving skills and ‘big picture’ outlook.” 

Alsaggaf added that such a chance to join the “Around Africa Expedition” was only possible through the joint support of OceanQuest and KAUST. From early exposure to the program through his research advisor to the technical preparation that enabled full participation, he described the voyage as a life-changing opportunity. “It was an incredible experience that will forever stay with me.” 

Likewise, Alabyadh said he is grateful to KAUST, as well as to OceanQuest and the entire expedition team, for facilitating such memorable, meaningful moments at sea. “Through their strong emphasis on international collaboration and capacity building, KAUST and OceanQuest enabled us to embark on this transformative journey on board one of the best research vessels in the world and learn and grow together with our peers.” 

For OceanQuest, which is currently based at KAUST and aligned with its strategic focus on deep-sea research and marine biodiversity, the opportunities for collaboration with the University are strong and gaining momentum, said Augustin. With plans to expand infrastructure, support regular faculty-led expeditions, and strengthen Saudi-led marine exploration, he expressed optimism about the future of ocean science at KAUST and beyond. “The journey is just starting.”