معهد الدراسات البيئية والمائية - جامعة بيرزيت

Biography:

K. M. Swaileh is currently an associate professor in environmental biology at the Dept. of Biology and Biochemistry in Birzeit University/Palestine. He obtained his bachelor degree in Biology and Environmental Sciences from Yarmouk University in Jordan(1988). His master degree was obtained from the same University in the field of Ecology and Marine Biology (1990). He received a DAAD scholarship to pursue his PhD study at the Institute of Marine Sciences (Kiel University-Germany) (1992). He graduate in 1995 with a PhD from the Dept of Marine Zoology. Dr. Swaileh is interested in Heavy metal pollution in the environment, molecular identification of microbial communities associated with wastewater treatment systems, and environmental and health risks from microbes in drinking water distribution systems and health risks from dumpsite leachate. In addition, he is interested in mutagenicity and genotoxicity of wastewater to plants, animals and microbes. Dr. Swaileh published more than 20 research papers in different areas of Environmental Biology. In addition, he serves as a reviewer for several high impact journals in different fields of environmental studies.

Publications:

1. Daoud, A. K., Swaileh, K. M., Hussein, R. M. Matani, M. (2011).
   Quality assessment of rainwater harvested through roof catchment systems in the West Bank, Palestinian Authority. (in press).
2. Swaileh, K. M., Abdulkhaliq, A., Hussein, R., Matani, M. (2009).
   Distribution of Toxic Metals in Organs of Local Cattle, Sheep, Goat and Poultry from the West Bank, Palestinian Authority. Bull Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 83 (2): 265-268. DOI: 10.1007/s00128-009-9704-x.
3. Swaileh, K. M. Hussein, R. M., Al Sae’d R. M. and Abu Heleu R. (2008). Health Risks from Microbial Growth and Biofilms in Drinking Water Distribution Systems in Palestine (pp 489-496). In: Sustainable Development and Management of Water in Palestine. Aliewi, A., Assaf, K., Jayyousi, A., Eds. House of Water and Environment (Palestine) and UNESCO Cairo Office (Egypt). Pp 568.
4. Swaileh, K. M. Hussein, R., Ezughayyar A. (2008).
   Evaluating wastewater-induced plant genotoxicity using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Environ. Toxicol.: 23(1): 117-122.
5. Swaileh, K. M., Matani, M., Hussein R. (2006).
   Heavy metals in urban roadside plants from Amman-Jordan. Bull Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 77 (3):445-450.
6. Swaileh, K. M., Sansour R. (2006).
   Monitoring urban heavy metal pollution using the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus). J. Environ. Monitor. 8: 209-213.
7. Swaileh, K. M., Hussein, R. Abu-elhaj, S, (2004).
   Assessment of heavy metal pollution in roadside surface soil and vegetation from the West Bank. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 47(1): 23-30.
8. Swaileh, K. M., Hussein, R., Halaweh, N. (2002).
   Metal accumulation from contaminated food and its effect on growth of juvenile landsnails Helix engaddensis. J. Environ. Sci. Health. B37(2):151-159.
9. Al-subu, M. M., Salim, R. Abu-shqair, I.,Swaileh, K. M. (2001).
   Removal of dissolved copper from polluted water using plant leaves: I. Effects of acidity and plant species. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient. 17(2): 91-96.
10. Al-subu, M. M., Salim, R., Braik, H., Swaileh, K. M. (2001).
    Removal of dissolved copper from polluted water using plant leaves: II. Effects of concentration of copper, plant leaves, competing ions and other factors. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient. 17(3): 123-127.
11. Swaileh, K. M., Rabay'a, N., Salim, R., Ezzughayyar, A. Abed Rabbo, A. (2001).
    Levels of trace metals and effect of body size on metal content of the landsnail Levantina hierosylima from the West Bank- Palestine. J. Environ. Sci. Health. A36(7): 1373-1388.
12. Swaileh, K. M., Rabay'a, N., Salim, R., Ezzughayyar, A., Abed Rabbo, A. (2001).
    Concentrations of heavy metals in roadside soils, plants and land-snails from the West Bank, Palestine. J. Environ. Sci. Health. A36(5):765-778.
13. Swaileh, K. M., Ezzughayyar, A. (2001).
    Dose-dependent effects of dietary Pb and Zn on feeding and growth rates of the Landsnail Helix engaddensis. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety. 50(1): 9-14.
14. Swaileh, K. M., Ezzughayyar, A. (2000).
    Effects of dietary Cd and Cu on feeding and growth rates of the landsnail Helix engaddensis. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety. 47: 253- 260.
15. Swaileh, K. M. (1999).
    Arctica islandica in Kiel Bay: body parameters, shell length-meat weight relationship and seasonality in flesh weight and condition index. Irbid J. Res. Studies 1(2): 35-49.
16. Swaileh, K. M. (1996).
    Seasonal variation in the concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb & Zn in Arctica islandica (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from Kiel Bay, Western Baltic. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 32(8-9): 631-635.
17. Swaileh, K. M., Adelung, D. (1995).
    Effect of body size and season on the concentration of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in Diastylis rathkei (Crustacea: Cumacea) from Kiel Bay, Western Baltic. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 31(1-3): 103-107.
18. Swaileh, K. M., Adelung, D. (1994).
    Levels of trace metals and effect of body size on metal content and concentration in Arctica islandica L. (Mollusca: Bivalvia) from Kiel Bay, Western Baltic. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 28 (8): 500-505.
19. Swaileh, K. M., Mesmar, M. N. & Ismail, N. (1994). Heavy metal concentrations in common freshwater snails of Azraq Oasis, Jordan. Hydrobiologia. 286: 167-173.
20. Swaileh, K. M. (2005).
    Inula Viscosa: a possible biomonitor for urban metal pollution on a regional basis. Regional workshop on desertification, 20-21 June, Yarmouk University, Irbid-Jordan.
21. Swaileh, K. M. (1999).
    Current status of the Palestinian Mediterranean Coasts. MedGOOS Conference, Rabat, 1-3 November.
22. Swaileh, K. M. (1996).
    Seasonal variation in the relationship between metal content and body weight of Arctica islandica from Kiel Bay, Western Baltic. Third International Conference on Trace Metal Pollution in The Marine Environment. Aarhus, Denmark, 16-20 May.

Grants & Awards:

1. Grant (2010): Birzeit University: Palestinian Honey and Royal Jelly: quality assessment, and its effects on male fertility in Rats. 15,000$.
2. Grant (2009): Arab Fund for the Support of Palestinian Universities. Genomic Polymorphism and Diversity Among Goat Breeds in The West Bank. 10,000$.
3. Grant (2009): Birzeit University. Wastewater Analysis for Gentotoxicity as determined by the Ames Test. 5000$.
4. Grant (2007): Birzeit University. Heavy Metal Levels in Animal Food Products Originating from Locally Reared Animals in Palestine. 8000$.
5. Grant (2006):Birzeit University. Evaluating wastewater-induced plant genotoxicity using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). 1000$.
6. Grant (2006):ISID (international Society for Infectious Diseases). Microbial Health Risks Associated with Consumption of Untreated Water from Household Roof Catchment Systems. 6000$.
7. Grant (2005): UNESCO/Flanders FIT Project. “Health risks from microbial growth and biofilm in drinking water distribution systems in Palestine”. 8000 $.
8. Grant (2004): AED-Projects: Development of an integrated UASB-multimedia biofilter system for wastewater treatment from small Palestinian communities. 20,000 $
9. Grant (2001): Birzeit University: Effects of Heavy metal contamination on the landsnail Helix engaddensis. 1000$
10. Grant (2000): Birzeit University: Assessment of heavy metal contamination in the Palestinian urban environment. 800$.
11. Award (1991): German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to continue the Ph.D. study in Germany.
12. Award (1988-1990): Yarmouk University-assistantship, Department of Biology, TA.