The prize was presented on Tuesday afternoon  at the international forum entitled “Sustainable Water Use and Management, Leadership for Positive Change” at the United Nations Office in Geneva.

“She made use of practical applications in her researches  by using modern technologies in environment, water and desertification that would be beneficial to the younger generation and sustainable development,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Mashael had earlier  delivered a lecture at the  Olaysha Center for Girls of King Saud University (KSU) and explained the use of  geographic information systems (GIS) technology to explore floods in Jeddah.

Her lecture discussed a number of research projects which used the latest GIS satellite technology and methods to create maps and images of the complex and delicate Jeddah region. She noted that previous geographical studies published on the region had not used such technology, and were generally copying and pasting maps from previous studies.

Mashael is the first and pioneering Saudi researcher in the field of Geomorphology at KACST’s Space Research Institute. She has received recognition from a number of international institutions, including Great Women of the 21st Century Award from ABI (American Biographical Institute).

Mashael won the award upon the recommendation of GIWEH's advisory committee for her distinguished efforts in water research and participation in global innovation in the same field, in addition to her creative approaches in applied research.

She contributed numerous studies on environmental issues, especially in the field of disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods and desertification.

She has also conducted studies in an effort to focus the objectives of research to address issues that are relevant to humans, such as water, environment and desertification to serve sustainable development in Saudi Arabia.