Dr. Saif Alharbi has held various prominent positions throughout his career, showcasing his expertise in soil science and sustainable agriculture. Since October 2023, he has been serving as the Acting Director of the R&D Department at the National Research and Development Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Estidamah), where he has also been the Head of the Research Planning and Follow-up Department since October 2018. In these roles, Dr. Alharbi has been instrumental in creating and activating operational strategies, establishing policies and procedures, and driving the digital transformation of research and innovation. At the Institute of Advanced Agricultural and Food Technologies, KACST, Dr. Alharbi served as an Associate Research Professor of Soil Chemistry and Plant Nutrition from June 2022 to October 2023. He also headed the Soil and Water Chemistry Laboratory during the same period and chaired the Strategic Plan Preparation Committee from November 2022 to October 2023. His leadership extended to international projects, where he was the Principal Investigator and research group leader for a cooperative project with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on climate-smart crop production starting in January 2022. Additionally, he has been the Saudi counterpart in designing and implementing technical cooperation projects with the IAEA since November 2021. Dr. Alharbi’s contributions also include his role as CO-Principal Investigator for national projects on vegetation cover with the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification (November 2021 – October 2023), and as a member of the Committee of Experts at the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Center for Research, Environmental Studies, and Tourism, King Khalid University (June 2022 – June 2023). He has been involved with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, studying the prevalence of abandoned and open wells (June 2022 – March 2023), and was a team member for innovative technologies for the Saudi green initiative with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (November 2021 – May 2022). Dr. Alharbi served as a full-time advisor for private affairs for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (January 2019 – January 2021). He was part of King Abdullah’s initiative for solar water desalination, investigating the use of desalinated water in agriculture (April 2012 – January 2013).
Research Interest:
Dr. Saif Alharbi’s research interests are focused on several critical areas within soil science and sustainable agriculture. His work in environmental soil chemistry explores the interactions between soil components and contaminants, aiming to improve soil health and productivity. He is also deeply involved in studying organic soil amendments, which enhance soil fertility and structure through the addition of organic materials. Dr. Alharbi’s expertise in soil fertility and precision nutrient management is directed towards optimizing the use of fertilizers to ensure sustainable crop production. Additionally, his research on soil salinity management in agriculture seeks to develop strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on crop yield. Another significant aspect of his research is bioremediation for soil pollution, which involves using biological methods to detoxify polluted soils. Dr. Alharbi’s comprehensive research efforts contribute significantly to advancing agricultural sustainability and environmental conservation.
Skills:
Dr. Saif Alharbi possesses a diverse set of skills essential for advancing research and development in sustainable agriculture. He is an experienced soil scientist with a strong background in environmental soil chemistry, organic soil amendments, and precision nutrient management. His proficiency in biostatistics, particularly using SPSS and R programs, enables him to conduct detailed data analysis and interpret complex research findings effectively. Dr. Alharbi is adept at creating and implementing operational strategies, policies, and procedures to enhance research productivity and innovation. As the admin of a Telegram group, Toxo Clinic, he provided critical consultations and referrals during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating his commitment to practical applications of his expertise. Additionally, he has extensive experience training junior doctors and researchers, focusing on the first care management of clinical toxicology and other critical areas in soil science and agriculture. Dr. Alharbi’s comprehensive skill set underscores his capability to contribute significantly to both academic and practical advancements in his field.
Awards and Honors:
Dr. Saif Alharbi has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to the field of sustainable agriculture and soil science. He was honored with the Guild Shield by the Doctors Syndicate in Sohag, Egypt, on March 29, 2023, in acknowledgment of his dedicated efforts in training junior doctors on the first care management of clinical toxicology cases. This award highlights his commitment to education and mentorship, as well as his significant impact on improving clinical practices and agricultural sustainability.
Publications:
Regulation of Root Growth and Elongation in Wheat
- Authors: Alrajhi, A., Alharbi, S., Beecham, S., Alotaibi, F.
- Journal: Frontiers in Plant Science
- Year: 2024
- Volume: 15
- Article: 1397337
- Citations: 0
Precise Genome Editing of Plants Through Base and Prime Editor
- Authors: Alharbi, S., Al-Dakhil, M., Alotaibi, F.S.
- Book: OMICs-based Techniques for Global Food Security
- Year: 2024
- Pages: 269–286
- Citations: 0
Application of Beet Sugar Byproducts Improves Maize Growth and Salt Redistribution in Saline Soils
- Authors: Alharbi, S.F., Alotaibi, F.S., Ku, L., Zhang, W., Abou-Elwafa, S.F.
- Journal: Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
- Year: 2023
- Volume: 23
- Issue: 2
- Pages: 2152–2161
- Citations: 1
Organic Nitrogen Fertilization Minimizes Requirement of Inorganic Fertilizers and Improves Growth and Yield Attributes of Superior Grapevines
- Authors: Muhammed, M., Qayyum, M.F., Alotaibi, F., Alharbi, S.F.
- Journal: Journal of Plant Nutrition
- Year: 2023
- Volume: 46
- Issue: 17
- Pages: 4171–4187
- Citations: 0
Role of Transcriptomics in Countering the Effect of Abiotic Stresses in Wheat
- Authors: Alotaibi, F., Alharbi, S., Alrajhi, A.
- Book: Abiotic Stresses in Wheat: Unfolding the Challenges
- Year: 2023
- Pages: 233–246
- Citations: 0
Application of Molasses as an Eco-Innovative Approach Substitutes Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization and Enhances Sugar Beet Productivity
- Authors: Al-Dhumri, S.A., Al Mosallam, M.S., Zhang, W., Alharbi, S., Abou-Elwafa, S.F.
- Journal: Waste and Biomass Valorization
- Year: 2023
- Volume: 14
- Issue: 1
- Pages: 287–296
- Citations: 4
Effect of Phosphorus-Loaded Biochar and Nitrogen-Fertilization on Release Kinetic of Toxic Heavy Metals and Tomato Growth
- Authors: Ding, Z., Alharbi, S., Ali, E.F., Wang, G., Eissa, M.A.
- Journal: International Journal of Phytoremediation
- Year: 2022
- Volume: 24
- Issue: 2
- Pages: 156–165
- Citations: 10
Recycling of Beet Sugar Byproducts and Wastes Enhances Sugar Beet Productivity and Salt Redistribution in Saline Soils
- Authors: Aljabri, M., Alharbi, S., Al-Qthanin, R.N., Chen, J., Abou-Elwafa, S.F.
- Journal: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
- Year: 2021
- Volume: 28
- Issue: 33
- Pages: 45745–45755
- Citations: 12
A New Method to Recycle Dairy Waste for the Nutrition of Wheat Plants
- Authors: Alharbi, S., Majrashi, A., Ghoneim, A.M., Hassan, F.A.S., Eissa, M.A.
- Journal: Agronomy
- Year: 2021
- Volume: 11
- Issue: 5
- Article: 840
- Citations: 15
Improving Quality of Metal-Contaminated Soils by Some Halophyte and Non-Halophyte Forage Plants
- Authors: Ding, Z., Alharbi, S., Almaroai, Y.A., Eissa, M.A.
- Journal: Science of the Total Environment
- Year: 2021
- Volume: 764
- Article: 142885
- Citations: 18