About

Farouk El-Baz is a Research Professor and Director of the Center for Remote Sensing at Boston University, where he also serves as a Professor in the Departments of Archaeology and Electrical & Computer Engineering, and as an Associated Faculty member at the Department of Earth and Environment. His research focuses on remote sensing in archaeology, the application of space-borne data to groundwater exploration, and the use of space photography to define geological features. Since joining Boston University in 1986, he has led the Center for Remote Sensing to become a prominent institution in the application of remote sensing technology to environments worldwide, and it was designated as a NASA Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing in 1997. Dr. El-Baz has received numerous honors and awards, including NASA’s Apollo Achievement Award, the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal, and the Nevada Medal, among others. He has also been recognized with awards from various institutions for his scientific accomplishments and contributions to public understanding of science and technology.

Selected publications

• Enhancement of Biomass and Astaxanthin Production in Haematococcus pluvialis Microalgae

  Egyptian Journal of Chemistry · 2025-10-08

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• Dietary Dunaliella salina microalgae enriches eggs with carotenoids and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, enhancing the antioxidant and immune responses in heat-stressed laying hens

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2025-02-26 · 11 citations

  articleOpen access

  Introduction Dunaliella salina (DS) is a prospective source of bioactive carotenoids, including beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids. The effect of dietary supplementation of DS on the productive performance, immune response, and egg quality of heat-stressed laying hens has not been comprehensively studied. We investigated how dietary D. salina supplementation affects the deposition of bioactive carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids in egg yolks of laying hens experiencing summer heat stress, as determined by the Temperature-Humidity Index (THI). The influence of D. salina supplementation on the productive performance, immune response, and antioxidant status of heat-stressed laying hens was assessed. Methods A total of 120 Elma-Brown laying hens were assigned to four dietary treatments with DS supplementation at 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g/kg of diet. The experiment lasted 60 days, during which eggs were collected at three time points: 15, 30, and 60 days from the start of the study. Results and discussion including DS at 1 g/kg improved egg production and feed conversion, with improved antioxidant status via a marked inhibitory effect on malondialdehyde in heat-stressed laying hens. Dietary 0.5 g/kg DS improved the immune response of heat-stressed laying hens compared to that of the control group. The highest dose of DS (1.5 g/kg diet) increased astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and total carotenoids by 9.8%, 50.44%, 49.19%, and 84.21% ( p < 0.05), respectively, and decreased β-carotene by 38.61% ( p < 0.05), when compared with the control. Feeding DS to heat-stressed laying hens increased the concentrations of the long-chain Omega-3 (docosahexaenoic acid) in egg yolks; the dose of 0.5 g/kg diet for 15 d produced an increase in the DHA content by104.76% above the control group ( p < 0.5). Feeding DS improved the nutritional indices of egg yolks, as egg yolks retained a high ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA)/polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)/saturated fatty acids, low thrombogenicity index (IT), low atherogenicity index (IA), and high hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic index (h/H). Feeding heat-stressed laying hens DS improved their productivity and antioxidant status, resulting in functional eggs enriched with bioactive carotenoids (astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein) and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

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• Dietary supplementation with Dunaliella salina microalga promotes quail growth by altering lipid profile and immunity

  Poultry Science · 2024-02-27 · 16 citations

  articleOpen access

  The goals of the current research are to ascertain the impacts of Dunaliella salina (DS) on quail growth, carcass criteria, liver and kidney functions, lipid profile, and immune response. Two hundred and forty 7-day-old quail chicks were divided equally into 4 separate groups with 6 replicates with 10 birds each. The groups were as follows: 1) control diet (the basal feed without DS), 2) control diet enriched with 0.25 g DS/kg, 3) control diet enriched with 0.50 g DS/kg, and 4) control diet enriched with 1.00 g DS/kg. Results elucidated that the birds which consumed 0.5 and 1 g DS/kg diet performed better than other birds in terms of live body weight (LBW), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). There were no significant changes in feed intake (FI) and carcass characteristics due to different dietary DS levels. Compared to the control group, DS-treated groups had better lipid profile (low total cholesterol and LDL values and high HDL values) and immune response (complement 3 values). The quails consumed feeds with different levels of DS had greater (P < 0.038) C3 compared to control. Adding 0.5 and 1 g DS/kg lowered blood concentrations of triglycerides and total protein (TP) values. The high level of DS (1 g/kg) had higher albumin values and lower AST values than other groups (P < 0.05). The creatinine values were at the lowest levels in the group consumed 0.50 g DS/kg feed. No changes (P > 0.05) were demonstrated among experimental groups in the ALT, urea, and lysozyme values. In conclusion, adding D. salina to growing quail diets enhanced growth, immune system, blood lipid profile, and kidney and liver function.

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• Optimizing the Extraction of Carotenoids and Omega Fatty Acids from Microalgae

  Egyptian Journal of Chemistry · 2023-09-18 · 4 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Microalgae are the most significant renewable sources of natural carotenoids and omega fatty acids. These include Dunaliella salina, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Scenedesmus obliquus. The aim of this research is to use various polar solvents to improve the extraction efficiency of various carotenoids and omega-fatty acids from these microalgae. Our results showed that the polarity of the solvent, the polarity of the solute component, and microalgae species had a substantial effect on the extraction efficiency of the carotenoids β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin as well as omega fatty acids. The high-polar solvents Dichloromethane: Methanol, 3:1, v/v (DIC: MeOH), Hexane: Ethanol, 2:1, v/v (Hex: EtOH), and Hexane: Ethyl acetate,1:1, v/v (Hex: EtOAc) showed a positive effect on the extraction efficiency of lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin, the high-polar carotenoids, when compared with pure Hexane (Hex), the low-polar solvent. The solvent mixture of Hex: EtOH recovered the highest yield of omega fatty acids, especially omega-3 from D. salina and H. pulvalies, however Hex: EtOAc showed the same effect on S. obliquus. In conclusion, the solvent mixture of Hex: EtOH and Hex: EtOAc is strongly recommended for high extraction of carotenoids and omega fatty acids from investigated microalgae.

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• Natural β-carotene prevents acute lung injury induced by cyclophosphamide in mice

  PLoS ONE · 2023-04-05 · 18 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  IL-17 is associated with varied inflammatory and immune-related diseases. However, the biological function of IL-17 and its expression in acute lung damage are not entirely known. Thanks to the powerful antioxidant properties of β-carotene, we presumed that it would show a potent protecting effect against cyclophosphamide (CP) -induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. We studied the mechanisms underlying the effect of β-carotene supplementation against CP-induced ALI in mice. We isolated the β-carotene from Scenedesmus obliquus microalgae n-hexane extract and identified it by HPLC and 1H-NMR analysis. Within the experiments, 40 mice were assigned into five groups randomly: Group 1 (Control): Mice received saline. Group 2 (β-carotene control): Mice were administered β-carotene (40 mg/kg; orally) once daily for 10 sequent days without CP injection. Group 3 (CP): One i.p injection of 200 (mg/kg) of CP was given to mice. Group 4 and 5 (CP + β-carotene): Mice were administered β-carotene (20 and 40 mg/kg; orally) once a day for ten days following the CP injection. Lung samples were collected for lab analysis, after scarifying the animals at the experiment end. Administration of β-carotene orally reduced CP-induced ALI and inflammation. β-carotene significantly decreased wet-to-dry weight ratios (W/D), down-regulated IL-17, NF-κB, and IKBKB, decreased the contents of TNF-α, COX-2, and PKC, and increased the contents of SIRT1 and PPARγ in the lung tissues. β-carotene ameliorated the histopathological changes induced by CP and reduced the scoring number of inflammatory cell infiltration and emphysema when compared to CP. Consequently, we conclude natural β-carotene is a promising anti-inflammatory mediator for different inflammatory-related complications.

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• Astaxanthin- Enriched Fraction from the Microalga Haematococcus pluvialis Mitigates Kidney Injury via Modulation of Nrf2/Keap1 and MAPK/ERK Pathways in Rats

  Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia · 2023-02-16 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Acute kidney injury is a complication of using gentamicin in high doses and is associated with severe morbidity and mortality. Astaxanthin, the red xanthophyll carotenoid pigment, has an antioxidant power higher than 100 times that of vitamin E and 10 times more than that of β-carotene, making it one of the strongest bioactive carotenoids. Haematococcus pluvialis , Haematococcaceae, microalga produces high amounts of astaxanthin in the form of astaxanthin esters besides adequate amounts of free astaxanthin. We attempted to explore the potential therapeutic effects of astaxanthin- and astaxanthin ester–enriched fractions from H. pluvialis against acute kidney injury induced by gentamicin and their mechanisms of action in rats. Adult male Wister albino rats were injected with gentamicin (100 mg/kg, i.p. ) for seven consecutive days to induce acute kidney injury, and these rats were treated daily with astaxanthin ester–enriched fractions (30 mg/kg; p.o .) for 14 days. LC/ESI–MS analysis revealed the presence of different isomers of free astaxanthin, astaxanthin monoesters, and astaxanthin diesters in the astaxanthin- and astaxanthin ester–enriched fractions. Astaxanthin and its esters ameliorated kidney dysfunction, modulated nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2/Kelch-like erythroid associated protein 1/hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha, and suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinases/extracellular signal-regulated kinases/renin-angiotensin system expression. Astaxanthin and its ester improved early acute kidney injury via modulation of the Nrf2/Keap1 antioxidant defense pathway and MAPK/ERK signaling cascade. Graphical Abstract

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• Using Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Frequency Ratio Technique for Revealing Groundwater Prospective Areas at Wadi Al Hamdh Watershed, Saudi Arabia

  Water · 2023-03-16 · 22 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  For socioeconomic development in arid regions, there is an increasing need for groundwater resources due to rapid population expansion. It is necessary to apply innovative approaches for managing the sustainability of groundwater resources. Thus, remote sensing, geologic, climatic, and hydrologic data are integrated through the GIS-based frequency ratio and overlay analysis for assessing the spatial distribution of groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) of Wadi Al Hamdh, Saudi Arabia. Twelve factors controlling groundwater’s existence and infiltration were identified, normalized using the frequency ratio technique and combined through GIS techniques. To accomplish this, 313 well locations in the study area were used for training (70%) and 137 well locations were utilized for validation (30%). Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and field data, the model predictions were validated and showed very good performance (AUC: 0.893). The five zones on the GWPZs map correspond to 2.24, 5.81, 13.39, 53.90, and 24.65% of the entire area. These are: excellent, good, moderate, low, and very low perspectivity. As a good example, the applied approaches provided very good results that are significant to planning and sustainable development as well as managing groundwater resources in arid regions.

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• Dunaliella salina chitosan nanoparticles as a promising wound healing vehicles: In-vitro and in-vivo study

  OpenNano · 2023-06-08 · 13 citations

  articleOpen access1st author

  Dunaliella salina, a green microalga, is among the main sources of bioactive β-carotene and zeaxanthin. Hence, it will be investigated for its antioxidant effectiveness in wound healing. The current study's objective is to create new chitosan nanoparticle loaded D. salina hexane: ethyl acetate extract (HEAE-CNPs) and methanol extract (ME-CNPs) to be used in accelerating wound healing in-vivo. Double emulsion technique was utilized to prepare the nanoparticles. The prepared HEAE-CNPs and ME-CNPs were examined for in-vitro release and in-vivo wound healing efficacy in Wistar rats. Results confirmed that D. salina hexane:ethyl acetate extract (HEAE) contains 19.167 mg/g β-carotene and 16.196 mg/g zeaxanthin, whereas the extract of methanol (ME) contains only small amounts of zeaxanthin 0.313 mg/g as quantified by HPLC. The D. salina loaded chitosan gel greatly slowed the total carotenoids release, according to the in-vitro release assays, in comparison with D. salina nanoparticle dispersion with a particle size in the nanorange. By decreasing factor alpha (TNF-α) of tumor necrosis and increasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and collagen skin contents, both HEAE-CNPs and ME-CNPs demonstrated wound healing and regeneration.

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• Landsat Satellite Images for Lineaments Detection: A Tool to Identify Groundwater Productivity in Lebanon

  Springer water · 2022-01-01 · 2 citations

  book-chapterSenior author
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• Potential Production of Omega Fatty Acids from Scenedesmus obliquus Microalgae: Evaluation of Acute and Chronic Toxicity

  Egyptian Journal of Chemistry · 2022-11-27

  article

  Background: Omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) as dietary supplements for medical use improve health. Methods: Acute and chronic toxicity were done using male and female rats. Results of acute toxicity showed no behavioral alterations, toxicity, or mortality in treated animals at a dose of 2 g/kg over 24 hours. In a chronic study, no significant difference in the serum glucose, ALT, AST, bilirubin, albumin, and creatinine were found between treated and control rats. However, there was a slight increase in the level of ALP and urea in male rats treated with O3FAs. Chronic administration of O3FAs with a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. /day for 12 weeks showed insignificant change in hematological parameters. However, the red cell distribution width (RDW-CV) was significantly decreased. Histopathological examinations indicated slight congestion in the glomerular capillaries and peri-tubular capillaries in the renal tissues. Meanwhile, hepatic parenchyma with slight congestion in the central vein and blood sinusoids has been detected. It could be concluded that, the daily use of 100 mg/kg of O3Fas for 12 weeks did not produce marked alterations in biochemical, hematological, and histopathological parameters and it is relatively safe and can be used as an adjuvant for treating various indicated diseases.

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Awards & honors

• NASA’s Apollo Achievement Award
• Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal
• Special Recognition Award
• University of Missouri Alumni Achievement Award for Extraord…
• Certificate of Merit of the World Aerospace Education Organi…