Position: Geneticist and genomicist
Affiliation: Katara Biodiversity Genomics Program, Katara Cultural Village, Doha, Qatar
Farooq Omar Al-Ajli, PhD, is a geneticist and genomicist based in Qatar with a profound dedication to the study and preservation of the region's biodiversity. As the director of Katara Biodiversity Genomes Program, Dr. Al-Ajli’s research applies genomics to advance conservation, study species diversity, and uncover the genetic and genomic basis of adaptive, behavioral, morphological, and physiological traits of interest, drawing on expertise in reference, population, functional, comparative and conservation genomics. His work has generated chromosome-level reference genomes for four species of falcons, Arabian horse, Arabian camel, MacQueen’s Bustard, among others. An applications-driven scientist, Dr. Al-Ajli leverages genomic resources to lead population genomics studies on falcons, horses, and camels, generating novel insights that expand scientific understanding and address species-specific questions and challenges. His scientific output includes co-authored articles in world-renowned journals such as Science and Nature. Dr. Al-Ajli is also a passionate advocate for popular science and community outreach, aiming to cultivate a robust local scientific knowledge base.