North Africa - Staff Profiles

Mohamed El Haouzi, Director of Projects

Originally from Marrakech, Mohamed El Haouzi received his Bachelor of Arts in animal biology from Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech in 1987. 

Mohamed El Haouzi has been the Director of Projects for The Global Diversity Foundation since 2003 and coordinates all of GDF’s field activities in Morocco.  El Haouzi has been particularly active in GDF’s flagship applied research project, Wildlife Trade in the Souks of Southern Morocco. 

Abderrahim Ouarghidi, Field Research Assistant

Born in Marrakech, Abderrahim Ouarghidi received his BA in animal biology from Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech in 2002.  Upon completing his degree, Ouarghidi began working with GDF and the Natural History Museum of Marrakech.  He contributed to the wildlife trade project by conducting market research concerning the commercialization of plants and animals in Morocco.  Ouarghidi also wrote a report for GDF on the composition of herbal remedies in the Marrakech Region.

In addition to his work for GDF, Ouarghidi began studying for a master´s degree in biodiversity at Cadi Ayyad University in 2006.  Ouarghidi is currently researching traditional herbal remedies in the Zat and Imnane valley outside of Marrakech.  Ouarghidi also works with GDF sponsored master´s students from the university of Kent by assisting them with their research topics. 

Ouarghidi is passionate about herbal remedies as a viable alternative to western medicine.  Ouarghidi plans to finish his master´s degree at the end of 2007.  Afterwards he will get his PHD and continue a career in botanical research centered around medicinal plants and herbal remedies.  Ouarghidi notes that, “Plant identification and uses are important fields that require further research and development in Morocco.  More and more people are turning to traditional medicine and thus it is also a growing field.”