On the first of September, a new intern has joined the Minett UNESCO Biosphere team in Ellergronn. His name is Mahmoud Hashoush, and he is an aspiring environmental scientist and researcher.
About Mahmoud
Mahmoud is a young Lebanese scientist who is currently studying a master degree in environmental and land sciences and technology in Milan, Italy. His research interests revolve mainly around how environmental change (both manmade and natural) affects the health of ecosystems (and their components) and ultimately the human health. On another note, he is also an enthusiastic youth activist who keenly believes in the energy of the young generation, and its ability in making a positive social change.
His mission
During the course of his assignment as the youth action and research project coordinator, he will be both leading a research project that explores the environmental effects of the past mining works in the region and seeking opportunities to engage the local youth with sciences and the environment.
The research project
The main aim of the research project is to explore whether the past mining and smelting activities in the Minett region have negatively impacted the quality of the soil by performing a soil ecotoxicology investigation. To our knowledge, this research will be among the first soil ecotoxicology studies ever conducted in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The study starts by identifying the potential sites of chemical pollution; for that sake, a thorough journey map of the mining process was developed. Following that, these sites will be localized through the application of advanced remote sensing and spatial analysis tools in order to pave way for an effective soil sampling, collection and later on analysis. The research continues by exposing model organisms to different soil samples (both collected and synthesized) in vitro and pinpointing any toxic reactions that arise.
Youth engagement
Moving in line with the objectives of the UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere program, Mahmoud is looking forward to exploring ways in which better integration between the people (and particularly the youths) and their natural environment can be achieved. This includes the implementation of citizen science workshops, scientific excursions, science competitions, and many more. A special focus will be placed on science communication and the popularization of science, or the concept of adapting science to the general public.
