Dr. Henrik Stahl is an internationally experienced marine scientist and academic leader, currently serving as Head of Research and Innovation at the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre and Dean of the College of Marine Sciences and Aquatic Biology at the University of Khorfakkan. He has led the development of a new, internationally connected hub for marine research and education in the UAE.
His expertise lies in marine biogeochemistry and benthic ecosystem processes, with a focus on sediment–water interactions, oxygen dynamics, and carbon cycling across coastal to deep-sea environments. His research explores how marine ecosystems respond to environmental variability and human pressures such as climate change, eutrophication, and habitat disturbance, contributing to understanding ecosystem functioning and global biogeochemical cycles.
Dr. Stahl has extensive experience applying advanced observational and experimental techniques, including benthic landers and sediment incubation systems, to quantify ecosystem processes and assess ecosystem health and carbon dynamics. His career has spanned working in a wide range of marine environments, from the tropics to the Arctic, and from the deep sea to shallow coastal systems.
In addition to his research, he plays a key leadership role in developing marine science capacity, including new academic programmes, research infrastructure, and international partnerships aligned with the UAE Blue Economy and global sustainability agendas. He is also deeply committed to education and mentorship, supporting the next generation of marine scientists through hands-on, internationally oriented training.
“My career as a marine biologist has always been driven by a deep curiosity about how the ocean works and a commitment to protecting it—and through the SMSRC, I now have the opportunity to turn that passion into impact by building a centre that advances science, supports the next generation, and contributes to the sustainable future of our oceans.”