2024 DGS President

Fares Aboud

Fares Aboud is a geologist working for Saudi Aramco as a clastic sedimentologist and stratigrapher. Fares joined Saudi Aramco in 2007 where he has been exposed to different aspects of Geology in the oil industry. He worked in Saudi Aramco’s Geosteering Center. After that, he worked as a reservoir development geologist and then a wellsite geologist working on the rig sites and supervising geological aspects of drilling operations. In 2010, Fares started his work on clastic cores as a sedimentologist. He characterized Cretaceous reservoirs as well as Carboniferous-Permmian and Devonian reservoirs for clastic sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy. Fares has worked on and led Mega projects within Saudi Aramco and contributed to Event Solutions. Fares obtained his BSc from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Saudi Arabia and his MSc from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in the USA.



Election Winners for the 2024 DGS Executive Committee



DGS President-Elect 2024

Ezzedeen Alfataierge

Biography:
Ezzedeen holds a BS, MSc, and PhD in Geophysics from the University of Houston. He is currently leading the data acquisition and robotization focus area within the geophysics technology division at EXPEC ARC. Prior to this position, he was a member of the strategic analysis and coordination group within the strategic technology analysis division at EXPEC ARC, frequently covering as team lead. In 2022, he was awarded the Emerging Middle East Young Professional Award by the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. In tandem, Ezzedeen has been an active member of DGS, serving as the Professional Meeting Officer in 2022, and the VP of Technical Exchange in 2023. Similarly, active in the SEG community, serving as a Council Member for the middle east sector.

Why Join:
As a continuous DGS executive committee member, I have experienced the various tasks and roles of our society and would like to continue to serve our community through extending my service for another year. It gives me great pleasure to leverage my resources and talent to expand the scope of geosciences in the community, helping attract young talents to our discipline, to further growth of our industry at large. My primary objective as an executive committee member is to engage our local community in Dhahran and within the kingdom, leveraging ties with sister societies such as the SEG, EAGE, and AAPG, to attract technical experts and deliver productive events to advance our geoscientists technical and professional expertise.



DGS Treasurer 2024

Eyad Halawani

Biography:
I am an associate Geophysicist working in Saudi Aramco since July 2022, and currently I am part of GeoTrain-23, where I graduated from Curtin University as a Geophysicist in 2022 and have worked previously in NGOs in both Australia and Saudi.

In Australia, I worked in an NGO named AIESEC as a Leadership Participant Manager for the entire year of 2021, where I took part in two projects, the first one focused on enriching the Soft-skills of our University Students by designing and conducting Interactive workshops that aim to develop their Soft-Skills, the second one is a program that aims to develop a Summer internship program for University student with local companies within Australia, where my role was to advertise the program as well as reaching out for potential partners.

As for the other one, I am currently part of Khobar Hub Global Shapers, which is part of the world economic forum and I am currently leading two programs, the first is named Mudar, a program aims to increase the environmental awareness of the society by conducting programs that is suitable for all age groups, and the Second project is writing an Annual Report that highlights all the achivements that the Hub has achived within the previous term.

Why Join:
I am excited to be part of the DGS community mainly due to Volunteering and Community.

Regarding Volunteering, I have and still work with Volunteering groups as mentioned in the Biography section, where I believe that giving to the community is one of the most rewarding feeling that someone can experience, where in additional to that, It is the best way for personal development, where I believe being in DGS will help me to develop personal aspects even my workplace will not expose me to.

As for Community, I believe that the people I will meet and network with in DGS cannot be found elsewhere, especially within my Field, where I believe being in DGS will expose me with people I will have the honour of knowing, as well as will definitely add a great push toward both my Career & Non-Career development.

So for that, I would be very excited to be part of DGS, where I would be happy to work as a Treasurer since I have a personal interest in the world of Finance, and I believe it will be a position that will add many skills that I would value within my future in Aramco.



DGS Secretary 2024

Anwar Alamri

Anwar Alamri is working as a Division Secretary for Surface Geology Division under Geological Operations Department in Saudi Aramco. He has demonstrated exceptional levels of commitment, professionalism and enthusiasm while carrying his tasks.



DGS Field Trip Coordinator 2024

Ali AlTammar

Biography:
In 2012, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Geoscience from the University of Tulsa. This marked the beginning of my professional journey with Saudi Aramco. My role allowed me to participate in a variety of regional projects, providing me with a broad perspective and deep understanding of the industry.
Driven by a desire for further knowledge, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). In 2021, I completed my advanced studies in Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering. This academic achievement significantly enhanced my professional capabilities and allowed me to contribute more effectively to my field.
Five years into my career at Saudi Aramco, in 2017, I transitioned into a new role within the Surface Geology Division. This position involved leading and organizing geological field trips across various regions in Saudi Arabia, a responsibility that I found both challenging and rewarding.
Now, with 11 years of experience at Saudi Aramco, I continue to apply my skills and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to the field. The journey has been enriching, and I eagerly anticipate what the future holds.
Why Join:

Joining the DGS Executive Committee as a Field Trip Coordinator aligns with my professional journey. With my educational background and 11 years of experience at Saudi Aramco, I have developed strong technical and leadership skills. I have led numerous geological field trips across Saudi Arabia, which makes me an ideal candidate for this position. I am eager to contribute to the committee, share my knowledge, and continue to learn and grow in this role.



DGS Vice President for Technical Exchange 2024

Abdulmohsin Al-Mansor

Biography:
The reader of what follows must be lucky. I’m not trying to spam you but to phish, sorry, fish you with the greatest hook I could write and mesmerize you through my words in this biography.

Starting with Bachelor of Geology in hand from Colorado School Mines in my first day in the office in 2011 sets the stage for more. Spanning through several departments, oil and gas reservoir characterization, ground water, well site and reservoir description has built a firm understanding of how could geologist operate in oil, gas or water reservoirs and how they could be characterized, described and approached through dozens of projects. This is topped with a Master of Science from Technical University of Delft in 2018 which in return sharpened my skills to produce and review publications in prestigious societies, write one journal and submit two patents, where one of them is granted.

On the non-technical side, I have recently chaired a total two workshops. EAGE’s subsurface intelligence workshop in 2022 and AAPG’s low resistivity pay reservoirs workshop in 2023. My lead in these workshops achieved participations from many nationalities around the world with a remarkable increase in submissions and registrations. Prior to that I contributed to exploration core workshop in 2016 and participated in DGS-YP workshop in 2013/14. Now, I’m currently leading South Ghawar Team in SARCD.

 

Why Join:
I have been on the job since 2011 and active for long enough to realize how my experience from various job positions and heavy involvement with other societies’ events synchronize very well with this position. I commit to employ this hands-on experience to design workshop or events for DGS with high standards and diligence. I intend leading that toward building higher reputation and position among other societies in the region.



DGS Technical Meeting Officer 2024

Ziyad Aldawsari

Biography:
Meet Ziyad Aldawsari, a young professional Saudi geologist. I was lucky enough to secure Saudi Aramco Scholarship program after high school. I got my bachelor degree in geology from the University of Arizona. Currently working as a development geologist in Ghawar fields. previously, I moved around between operational assignments with the groundwater division as a hydrologist and the Goesteering group for almost 3 years combined.
I have had the opportunity to move around and live in most of the country regions, and to live abroad for 2 years. Due to my father being a pilot in the Saudi Royal Air Force. i have learned to be adaptable and embrace the change from a young age. Additionally, living in different places and meeting new people helped enrich my knowledge and broaden my horizons and developed a unique set of social skills. all these factors shaped me to be the person i am from the early years of my life.

Why Join:
By joining DGS, i am hoping to be able to contribute to the society of geoscientists in the kingdom. On the other hand, I will be able to expand my connections and seek new opportunities for my career.
As I am a passionate sportsperson. I have learned to be a team player and work with different personalities, be self-critical, and collaborate to achieve success within the team. I have joined and established committees and teams before such as SARCD Young Professionals Committee, and Exploration Sports activity team. Hopefully, by joining DGS executive board members, I will be able to share my previous experiences and gain more knowledge from the senior geoscientists as we work hand-by-hand to promote techincal growth and professional development in our community.



DGS Technical Publication Officer 2024

Mariam Assadeq

Biography:
Mariam is a Geologist working in EXPEC ARC’s Advanced Technical Services Division (ATSD). She completed her Bachelor degree in Geology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2017, where she worked as a lab assistant in the Unconventional Reservoir Research Laboratory. After graduation, Mariam started working in the Geochemistry Unit where she built experience in oil-oil and oil-source correlations, mud gas isotope sampling and basin modeling applications, and water oxygen and hydrogen isotopes for the determination of water provenance of drilling and production water samples. As a PDP, she delivered numerous management presentations and led a selected team of 8 employees to produce the first ATSD publication in 2018, which summarized the division’s functions and responsibilities. During her assignments with Exploration and Unconventional Resources, she focused on the use of advanced mud gas data in fluid phase predictions. In 2022, Mariam collaborated with EXPEC ARC’s Geo-automation team on the software development, automation and advanced processing of oil Geochemical parameters to improve existing oil fingerprinting workflows. She also led a wellness program for the unit where she was responsible for a year-long fitness challenge, and for organizing monthly wellness sessions to raise awareness and empower employees to take charge of their health. She now works in the Formation Damage and Stimulation Unit where she is handling various formation damage challenges such as organic/inorganic scale characterization and mitigation, and fracturing fluid evaluations for UR operations. Mariam is a Saudi Aramco wellbeing champion and an active contributor to the corporate wellbeing program, where she routinely delivers a wellbeing session titled ‘Overcoming Stress through Meditation’. In her spare time, she can be found on her yoga mat, cooking, reading a self-development book, or crying over photos of puppies she wants to adopt.

Why Join:
Even though I only started volunteering for DGS at the beginning of this year, I truly enjoyed the different ways in which I was able to help the society. I would love to take on more responsibility and contribute further to DGS as I see many opportunities for growth and continuous development. One of the reasons I want to join the executive committee is to more actively apply my leadership skills to duties that solely revolve around Geosciences, specifically, I am interested in becoming the next Technical Publications Officer and working on the Oil Drop magazine. I have always been a passionate writer and I aspire to leverage my writing experience towards putting together the next issue of Oil Drop as well as generating other DGS publications. An example of an additional publication I would love to tackle is publicly available Geoscience educational material. Having had the opportunity to teach Geology to the Mawhiba 2019 cohort and currently working on a similar presentation to be delivered to high school students, I see DGS as the perfect platform from which to formalize and communicate the content. Another reason I would like to join the executive committee is to expand my professional network and get to know other Geoscientists and professionals who are working for different organizations, such exposure can enhance future collaboration opportunities, boost my learning, and strengthen my soft skills which I believe require continuous practice. Over the past year, getting involved in multiple DGS events through different volunteer roles was an incredible experience, I was both inspired and motivated by my colleagues to dedicate more time and effort to the ongoing work, I look forward to giving back to this distinguished society through regularly attending meetings and events, and hopefully executing an exceptional issue of Oil Drop.



DGS Academic Liaison Officer 2024

Abdullah Alqasem

Biography:
I earned a BSc in Geological Sciences from the University of Leeds and have been through the Geoscience Train Program. My experties are in Carbonate sedimentology and stratigraphy and I contribute to reservoir characterization and reservoir development activities. I am a contributor to DGS activities as well as other societies.

Why Join:
I am a contributor to DGS activities and have seen first-hand the impact it can have on forging career-long connections and setting a clear career path for YPs. I intend to work with DGS Officers to deliver engaging technical luncheons, courses, workshops and field trips, as well as ideation platforms.



DGS Vice President for Professional Development 2024

Musleh Najrani

Biography:
Highly competitive, vision‐driven, innovative professional with years of business and leadership experience in developing and implementing business management strategies aligned in translating strategy into actionable goals for business performance and growth to achieve organization‐wide goals. Possess a proven track record in analyzing and assessing the positive impact of supplying necessary recommendations, strategic plans, and strategic initiatives for business and customer satisfaction. Highly reliable in analyzing the key performance indicators to drive innovation efforts with the ability to lead and implement processes for continuous development. Deliver operational leadership to motivate project management teams to achieve various organizational goals.

Why Join:
Becoming the Vice President of Professional Development for the DGS Society offers unique opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of geoscientists in their careers. This role is pivotal in shaping the professional development landscape within the society and helping geoscientists thrive.

As the Vice President of Professional Development, i would have the chance to design and implement programs and initiatives that support the career advancement and skill development of geoscientists at all stages of their professional journey. By providing resources, workshops, mentoring opportunities, and networking events, that can empower individuals to enhance their knowledge, expand their skill sets, and stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in the field.
Position: Vice President for Professional Development



DGS Professional Meeting Officer 2024

Sarah Aljohany

Biography:
Sarah is a geophysicst who has been working in the oil and gas industry for over 5 years. She is currently working within an interdisciplinary team on the unconventional gas program to help meet the demand for lower-carbon energy. Her work focuses on reservoir characterization, resource assessment and risk analysis.She holds a bachelor’s degree in Geophysics from University of Houston’s school of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. She actively takes roles in initiatives that focus on human centric approaches to development, with specific focus on energy, geoscience, engineering and sustainability. Sarah is the diversity and inclusion chair in AAPG middle east and she is part of the Impact Support Membership in the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST’s Saudi Youth for Sustainability organization, which aims to empower and connect young leaders to drive positive changes towards sustainable and equitable future.

Why Join:
My passion for geoscience, complemented by my organizational skills, networking proficiency, and digital platform expertise, positions me as an excellent fit for the Professional Meeting Officer role. My dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion, along with a commitment to sustainable practices in geoscience, ensures a holistic approach to community enrichment. I am eager to contribute significantly to the Dhahran Geoscience Society’s mission, building on its success through an inclusive and sustainable lens. Thank you for considering my application; I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to contribute to the society’s advancement.



DGS Young Professional Officer 2024

Reem Alomar

Biography:
I graduated with a B.S. in Geophysics from the University of Texas at Austin, 2022 with highest honors and special departmental honors. I obtained a certificate in Computational Science & Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, 2022. During my undergraduate career, I joined the Texas Consortium of Computational Seismology (TCCS) as an undergraduate research assistant 2019-2022. My research focused on developing efficient and reproducible algorithms for seismic data analysis, geophysical inversion, and machine learning. I completed an undergraduate thesis and presented my work at the IMAGE 2022 conference in Houston.

Why Join:
Throughout my undergraduate career and at Saudi Aramco, I have been fortunate in receiving excellent mentorship that guided my personal & professional development. With my firsthand experience learning to code from scratch to eventually accomplishing research in computational geophysics (within a ~2-year period), I have learned what makes a mentorship experience especially helpful and enriching. I am interested in creating similar mentorship opportunities for young professionals in the geosciences. I am especially interested in creating learning opportunities within the world of computation and artificial intelligence.



DGS Mentorship Program Officer 2024

Abdulmohsin Alaraifi

Biography:
I graduated with second honors in Geology from KFUPM University. In 2019, I kicked off my career at Saudi Aramco, starting in the Surface Geology Division. From there, I made my way to the Geosteering Operations Centre, where I gained valuable experience. Later on, I transitioned to the Northern Area Reservoirs Characterizations team. Currently, I’m deeply involved in CCUS efforts within the Reservoir Characterizations department. On the side, I also take on the role of Master of Ceremonies for various events, which has been a fun and rewarding experience.

Why Join:
With a background in geology and experience in various divisions at Saudi Aramco, I am eager to connect with fellow professionals and contribute to the geoscience community. I believe DGS provides an excellent platform for networking, learning, and collaborating on innovative solutions in the field. I look forward to being an active member of the society.



DGS Vice President for Public Outreach 2024

Noha Al Lababidi

Biography:
Ms. Al Lababidi holds a Bachelor of Geology Science from Durham University and Masters in Subsurface Intelligence from Leeds University. Ms. Al Lababidi works as geologist in Saudi Aramco and brings about 10 of experience in Regional Source Rock Assessment, with extensive expertise in charge analysis and geochemistry.
Noha was a member in Society of Petroleum Engineer – Saudi Arabia Chapter, and was the public outreach officer in Dhahran Geoscience Society in 2020. Ms. Al Lababidi is assigned as AAPG Middle East Young Professional Council, and represented AAPG as co-chair in Young Professional and Student Committee in MEOS GEO 2023.

Why Join:
First and foremost, becoming the Vice President of Public Outreach for DGS offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on both the field of geoscience and the wider community. As the Vice President, I would play a pivotal role in promoting the importance of geoscience and raising awareness about its relevance in the world we live in specially as we move towards net zero. Public outreach serves as a bridge between the scientific community and the general public, and it is crucial in fostering an appreciation for the Earth sciences.
By taking on this leadership role, I would have the chance to inspire and educate others about the wonders of geoscience, and reaching out to the public. Through these activities, we can engage with people of all ages and backgrounds, from students to professionals, and instill in them a passion for geosciences.In addition, joining DGS as Vice President of Public Outreach offers an incredible opportunity to inspire, educate, and connect with others while making a meaningful impact to DGS.
Position: Vice President for Public Outreach



DGS Public Event Officer 2024

Shaikah Alsahli

Biography:
My experience brings about seven years of expertise which includes employees’ , career development, strategic planning, executive reporting, engagement events . I highly skilled professional with a passion for event management, executive protocol, and public relations. With several years of experience in planning and executing successful events, I have developed a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach to event management. I expertise in coordinating logistics, and ensuring seamless execution has consistently delivered exceptional results. In addition, I have a strong interpersonal and communication skills that allowed me to excel in executive protocol and public relations, where i have successfully fostered and maintained relationships with key stakeholders. With a proven track record of delivering high-quality events and establishing strong networks, I am now seeking a challenging position in a DGS where I can leverage my skills and drive impactful experiences for the organization

Why Join:
I have been volunteering the past DGS terms and I really enjoyed the experience. It allowed me to see the benefit of professional societies and its importance in facilitating knowledge exchange, professional development and reaching out to the public. I would like to join DGS Executive Committee to support geoscientists interact in DGS events and help each other develop technically and professionally.



DGS Social Media Officer 2024

Hassan Ramadhan

Biography:
I am a dedicated and experienced geoscientist with a strong academic background and extensive professional experience in the oil and gas industry. I hold an Honors Bachelor’s degree in Geoscience from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and a Master’s degree specializing in Petrophysics from the University of Leeds.
My professional journey began at Aramco, where I have spent 14 enriching years. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to gain exposure to the entire process, from fieldwork to office-based tasks. My initial role was providing petrophysical support for the Regional Resources Assessment department, a position I held for four years.
Seeking new challenges, I transitioned to the Geological Operation Department to lead a newly formed team. Our primary objective was to create a comprehensive geological formation lexicon for the Kingdom.
In 2020, I took the initiative to establish a virtual surface geology team. Our mission was to virtualize the Kingdom’s outcrops, making them easily accessible to our geoscientists. This innovative approach has revolutionized the way we study and understand geological formations.
Throughout my career, I have consistently strived for excellence and innovation, always looking for new ways to contribute to the field of geoscience.

Why Join:
I am writing to express my interest in serving on the DGS 2024 Executive Committee. With my extensive experience and dedication to the field of geoscience, I believe I can make a significant contribution to the committee.
Throughout my 14-year career at Aramco, I have gained comprehensive knowledge of the oil and gas industry, from fieldwork to office-based tasks. My initial role in providing petrophysical support for the Regional Resources Assessment department has given me a deep understanding of resource assessment, a crucial aspect of geoscience.
My leadership experience in the Geological Operation Department, where I led a team to create a comprehensive geological formation lexicon for the Kingdom, has equipped me with the skills to lead and collaborate effectively on large-scale projects.
Perhaps most notably, my initiative to establish a virtual surface geology team demonstrates my commitment to innovation in geoscience. By virtualizing the Kingdom’s outcrops, we have revolutionized the way geoscientists study and understand geological formations.
With an Honors Bachelor’s degree in Geoscience from KFUPM and a Master’s degree specializing in Petrophysics from the University of Leeds, I have a strong academic background that complements my professional experience.
In conclusion, my academic qualifications, professional experience, leadership skills, and commitment to innovation make me a strong candidate for the DGS 2024 Executive Committee. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute further to the field of geoscience through this role.
Thank you for considering my nomination.



DGS Membership Liaison Officer 2024

Naba Al Hamad

Biography:
Naba Al Hamad is a highly skilled professional in the field of geophysics with a diverse range of experiences. Graduating from the University of Arizona in 2015, Al Hamad holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geophysics, accompanied by a minor in Mathematics. Her strong academic background has laid a solid foundation for her career in the energy industry. Following her graduation, Al Hamad embarked on a successful journey at Saudi Aramco. She began her career in the Well-site Geology division, where she gained invaluable hands-on experience in analyzing and interpreting geological data to optimize drilling operations. She then transitioned to the Geophysical Imaging department, where she currently play a pivotal role in utilizing advanced imaging technologies to enhance subsurface mapping and reservoir characterization.
Why Join:
I am excited about the prospect of joining the DGS Executive Committee. With my strong technical background and passion for organizing successful events, I believe I can make a significant contribution to the committee’s objectives. I would have the opportunity to combine my expertise in technology with my organizational skills to plan and execute engaging and informative meetings for DGS members. I am confident in my ability to coordinate with speakers, identify relevant topics, and ensure that the technical aspects of each meeting run smoothly. Joining the DGS Executive Committee would not only allow me to further develop my technical knowledge and leadership abilities but also provide me with the chance to foster meaningful connections and facilitate valuable learning experiences for the DGS community.