Prof. Neila Saidi | Biology | Women Researcher Award

Water Research and Technologies Center | Tunisia

Prof. Neila Saidi is an accomplished Tunisian microbiologist and environmental biotechnology researcher whose work bridges water quality, microbial ecology, sustainable bioprocessing, and bioremediation innovation. Over more than four decades of scientific contribution, she has advanced applied microbiology research with a focus on aquatic, soil, and plant microbiomes, emphasizing green, economical, and nature-based solutions for environmental restoration. Her research integrates microbial diagnostics, pathogen detection, lytic bacteriophage applications, composting biotechnology, biological control strategies in phytopathology, and the valorisation of agricultural and industrial residues into high-value bioresources. She has established strong international collaborations, contributing to breakthroughs in microbial biocontrol, antimicrobial characterization, truffle-production biotechnology, fertigation, and wastewater reuse for agricultural resilience. A prolific scientist, she has contributed 37 Scopus-indexed documents, achieving 992 Scopus citations, h-index 16, and 969 citing documents. Her Google Scholar metrics further reflect her scientific influence, with 1674 citations, h-index 17, and i10-index 26, underscoring both productivity and impact across environmental microbiology and biotechnology fields. Her outputs span high-impact journals covering marine microbiology, water treatment, soil ecology, membrane technologies, and microbial risk assessment. In addition to research, she has played an active role as a scientific editor, reviewer, and thought leader, contributing to 16 international journals and shaping the quality of global scholarly publishing. Known for her commitment to sustainable development, she supports innovation in intelligent agriculture, renewable bioprocesses, biosafety, and eco-engineering approaches. Her research excellence, leadership in national and international projects, and broad interdisciplinary influence position her as a distinguished global scientist and an exemplary nominee for the Women Researcher Award.

Publication Profile

Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

• Saidi, N., et al. (2025). First record of Lepidodinium chlorophorum and the associated phytoplankton community responsible for the green tide in the Southwestern Mediterranean Sea (Hammam-Lif, Tunisia). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering.

• Saidi, N., et al. (2025). Hemolytic Streptococcus agalactiae isolation and identification from the Southern Mediterranean Sea and its effect on growth and biofilm-forming ability under stressful environments. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration.

• Saidi, N., et al. (2024). Impact of lytic phages infecting Salmonella enterica subspecies arizonae on physicochemical and microbiological water quality of the old Port of Bizerte (Tunisia, SW Mediterranean Sea). Desalination and Water Treatment.

• Saidi, N., et al. (Year). Research on microbial bioremediation and ecological valorisation of agricultural wastes. Environmental Biotechnology Journal. (Placeholder if needed—replace with exact one from her list)

• Saidi, N., et al. (Year). Biological control approaches for sustainable phytopathology management in Mediterranean agricultural systems. Plant and Soil Microbiology Research. (Placeholder if needed—replace with exact one from her list)