Neila Saidi | Biology | Women Researcher Award

Published on by TOT Awards

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)

Lilya Boucelha | Biology | Women Researcher Award

Published on by TOT Awards

Assist. Prof. Dr. Lilya Boucelha | Biology | Women Researcher Award

University Of Science And Technology Houari Boumediene | Algeria

Assist. Prof. Dr. Lilya Boucelha is a plant physiologist and academic researcher specializing in seed priming, abiotic stress tolerance, and plant physiological adaptation to water deficit conditions. Her scientific contributions focus on understanding the molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms underlying seed vigor, aging, and germination responses in legume species, particularly Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek). Through her innovative studies, Dr. Boucelha has advanced the field of seed physiology by exploring redox regulation, antioxidant defense systems, and the signaling role of molecules such as silicon, proline, and ascorbate in improving plant resilience under drought and oxidative stress. Her work integrates biochemical assays, molecular markers, and eco-physiological analyses to link laboratory findings with agronomic improvement strategies, contributing to sustainable crop productivity and food security. She has actively collaborated on national and international research projects, including programs focusing on the enhancement of drought tolerance and physiological responses through priming and silicon treatments. Dr. Boucelha’s scientific productivity is reflected in her growing research impact, with 16 peer-reviewed international publications, including several in high-impact journals such as Functional Plant Biology, Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, and Plants. According to Google Scholar, her work has been cited over 80 times, with an h-index of 5 and an i10-index of 3, while her Scopus profile records comparable citation metrics, underscoring the scientific visibility and influence of her studies in plant physiology and seed science. Recognized for her excellence as a woman researcher, she was honored with a Women Researcher Award, acknowledging her sustained contribution to advancing knowledge in plant stress physiology and her leadership in promoting women in science. Her publications consistently address the biochemical and physiological determinants of seed vigor, aiming to improve germination performance and stress tolerance—crucial for crop adaptation to climate change and arid environments.

Publication Profile

Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Abrous-Belbachir, O. (2021). Is protein carbonylation a biomarker of seed priming and ageing? Functional Plant Biology, 48(6), 611–623.

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Abrous-Belbachir, O. (2019). Vigna unguiculata seed priming is related to redox status of plumule, radicle and cotyledons. Functional Plant Biology, 46(6), 584–594.

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., & Benlahrech, S. (2025). The ambiguous role of silicon in the pregermination treatment of Vigna unguiculata seeds. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation.

Boucelha, L., Djebbar, R., Gueridi, S., & Merah, O. (2025). Modifications in carbon and nitrogen metabolites of Vigna unguiculata L. seed organs induced by different priming treatments. Plants, 14, 3218.

Beggah, S., Ellouzi, H., Boucelha, L., Zorrig, W., Djebbar, R., & Abrous-Belbachir, O. (2023). Ascorbate attenuates damages caused by paraquat-induced oxidative stress in fenugreek seedlings. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 23(1), 1185–1199.