Fahima Bellabad

Worked as Director of Hydrographic Technology & Software at B HYDRO.

• Performed shipboard oceanographic and meteorological observations (CTD rosette, XBTs, seawater sampling, phytoplankton nets, atmospheric radiosondes).
• Supported the long-term NoSoAT data collection and processing.

• Participating in a virtual mentoring program with NOC scientists covering concepts of long-term ocean monitoring stations, including sensor types and observational approaches.

Participated in a two-part program focused on accessible and low-cost approaches to deep-sea research and exploration (>200 m).

Phase 1 – Online Training (June–August 2025):
• Structured online sessions addressing technical, financial, and operational challenges in deep-sea exploration
• Introduction to low-cost and scalable deep-sea technologies
• Mission planning, deep-sea mapping, data acquisi

Intensive, hands-on summer school combining field observations, laboratory measurements, spatial mapping, and data analysis to study ocean acidification and ecosystem responses at natural submarine CO₂ vents.

Key Learnings & Activities:
- Snorkeling-based surveys, in situ sampling, and carbonate system measurements (pH TRIS-calibrated, alkalinity, PAR, MiniDOT O₂), alongside respiration and phot

• Built a preliminary automated processing workflow using Qimera command-line tools and Python.
• Applied the workflow to real-time USV data acquisition and batch processing for Seabed 2030.

As part of the Seabed 2030 initiative, I contributed to the global effort to map the entire seafloor by 2030. This role aligned closely with my passion for open-access ocean data and international collaboration in marine science. Working alongside data experts and partner institutions, I supported the processing and validation of bathymetric datasets that contribute directly to the GEBCO global gr

Participated in a pioneering at-sea mission to evaluate the feasibility of operating two “DriX” Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs) simultaneously from shore. The mission tested operational concepts including cognitive load, remote access, system integration, and multibeam sonar acquisition. This initiative was supported by NOAA, BOEM, and UNH.

Key Responsibilities & Contributions:
• Monitored the M

The cruise, which took place from August 21st to 30th, covered 150 nautical miles southwest of Funchal, Portugal, into the waters off Madeira. Despite its relatively short duration, I was profoundly impressed by the technical team's expertise, efficiency, and unwavering dedication.

Our mission followed an earlier seismic study and had a dual focus: collecting core samples and deploying systems t

Contributed to a coral reef habitat mapping initiative by processing multibeam bathymetric data to support conservation efforts in Florida. This experience enhanced my technical skills in marine data processing and deepened my commitment to applying geospatial science in environmental protection.

Key Contributions:
• Processed multibeam echosounder (MBES) data using Qimera, applying PPK GNSS corr

• Interdisciplinary training on sustainable blue economy concepts, marine governance, and the role of science in supporting ocean policy and decision-making.
• Explored links between marine data, ecosystem services, and socio-economic dimensions of ocean sustainability.

Specialization Modules: Marine environment, Marine geology, Climate change, Coastal Hydrodynamic Numerical modeling, Oceanography, cartography, Remote sensing techniques, introduction to Python, research methodology and proficiency in the English language.

Software training: Python, QGIS, ArcPro, SNAP, SEADAS, ENVI, CDO.

Dissertation Project: The Temporal Dynamics of Sea Surface Temperature and

• Hands-on drone operations under FAA regulations.
• Collected and processed RGB, multispectral, and thermal imagery.
• Produced reports and project deliverables using drone-acquired datasets.

Nippon Foundation/GEBCO Training Program scholarship at the Centre for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center (CCOM/JHC).

Specialization Modules: Integrated Seabed Mapping, Advanced Topics in Ocean Mapping, Geodesy and Positioning for Ocean Mapping, Research Tools for Ocean Mapping, Seamanship, and Hydrographic Field Course

Practical hydrographic survey experience: vessel mobilizati

Jun 2024

Jun 2024

May 2024

Jun 2024

May 2024

May 2024

Mar 2024

Mar 2024

Feb 2023

Sep 2022

Specialization Modules: Geotechnics, Geomorphology, Hydrodynamic, Coastal Planning, Cartography, Numerical Modelling, Environmental Geochemistry, Remote sensing, cartography.

Software training: Numerical hydrodynamic modeling for the sea wave, current and sediment transport with the MIKE21/3 DHI software, ArcMap, MATLAB, ODV, Surfer, ERDAS.

Dissertation Project: The application of remote sensin

Oct 2019