Dr. Lobna Hajji-Hedfi | interaction plant host-microorganisms | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lobna Hajji-Hedfi, Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia

Dr. Lobna Hajji Ep Hedfi is a Tunisian Assistant Professor in Phytopathology at the Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of Sidi Bouzid. With a robust scientific footprint, she specializes in plant-microbe interactions, biological disease control, and fungal biodiversity. Born in Kairouan, Tunisia, in 1982, she resides in Chott-Meriem, Sousse. She actively contributes to the SPADD-LR03AGR02 research laboratory and is a board member of Microbial Biosystems and Frontiers in Scientific Reports journals. Dr. Hajji is internationally recognized, recently earning the Ethel Mary Doidge Medal (2024) by the International Mycological Association and receiving a prestigious scholarship from NUFFIC (Netherlands). With numerous high-impact publications and international collaborations, she advances sustainable agriculture and microbial solutions for plant health. Her interdisciplinary research and dedication make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Publication Profile: 

Orcid

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

• Prolific Research Output: Over 18 high-impact publications from 2024–2025 in peer-reviewed journals and international book chapters.

• Scientific Leadership: Editorial board member for Microbial Biosystems and Frontiers in Scientific Reports, indicating peer recognition.

• International Recognition: Awarded the prestigious Ethel Mary Doidge Medal by the International Mycological Association (2024), a major honor for early-career African researchers.

• Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture: Her work focuses on biological control, fungal endophytes, and eco-friendly pathogen suppression, aligning with SDG goals.

• Global Collaboration: Co-authored with scientists from Europe, North Africa, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing strong research networking.

• Capacity Building: Beneficiary of MSP NUFFIC scholarships (Netherlands) in 2023 and 2024, enhancing her international expertise.

📉 Areas for Improvement:

• Increased Funding Leadership: More visibility as a principal investigator (PI) in large-scale or competitive international research grants would enhance her impact profile.

• Patent/Technology Transfer: Translating her microbial and biocontrol research into patents, prototypes, or industrial-scale applications could broaden societal contributions.

• Postdoctoral Mentorship: Leading structured postdoctoral mentorship programs could further strengthen her academic leadership credentials.

• Policy Involvement: Greater involvement in agricultural policy advocacy or consultation at national or FAO-level could expand her influence beyond academia.

🎓 Education:

Dr. Lobna Hajji Ep Hedfi holds a PhD in Agricultural Sciences, specializing in Plant Pathology and Microbial Biotechnology. Her academic background includes comprehensive training in phytopathology, molecular biology, mycology, and biological control, with continuing education under international programs. She participated in capacity-building and professional development through the MSP MENA scholarship program (NUFFIC), funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her formal education has emphasized integrated disease management and the sustainable use of endophytic and rhizosphere microorganisms in crop protection. Her academic journey reflects both national and international excellence, combining practical experience in Tunisian agroecosystems with global innovations in plant-microbe research.

💼 Professional Experience:

Dr. Hajji currently serves as Assistant Professor of Phytopathology at the Regional Centre of Agricultural Research of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. She has over a decade of research and teaching experience in plant disease diagnostics, biocontrol strategies, and sustainable agriculture. Her professional journey includes leadership in multi-institutional projects, mentoring graduate students, and active involvement in national and international scientific collaborations. She is a recognized contributor to international journals and has been a part of expert working groups focused on agricultural sustainability. Her fieldwork and applied research directly impact crop resilience and productivity in arid regions. Additionally, her editorial work enhances the visibility and scientific quality of microbiological research.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

• 🥇 Ethel Mary Doidge Medal for Young Mycologist in Africa – International Mycological Association (IMA), 2024

• 🎓 MSP Scholarship from NUFFIC, Netherlands – 2023 & 2024

• 👩‍🔬 Active Editorial Board Member for Microbial Biosystems & Frontiers in Scientific Reports

• 🧪 Member of SPADD-LR03AGR02: Systems of Agricultural Production and Sustainable Development Laboratory

• 🌍 Invited speaker and contributor in international symposia on microbial bioresources, endophytic fungi, and CRISPR applications
  These accolades highlight her contributions to phytopathology, sustainable disease control, and scientific communication, emphasizing her leadership potential and impact in African and global agricultural science.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Hajji’s research bridges phytopathology, microbial ecology, and sustainable agriculture. Her work focuses on developing eco-friendly solutions for plant disease management using endophytic fungi, beneficial rhizobacteria, and microbial consortia. She explores plant-microbe interactions, particularly in grapevine and tomato crops, aiming to reduce chemical inputs through biocontrol agents and organic amendments like compost. Her recent interest includes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from forest fungi, CRISPR applications, and fungal biodiversity mapping. Her integrative approach contributes significantly to combating plant diseases, promoting resilience, and adapting agriculture to climate change. By leveraging omics technologies and field-based experiments, she provides applicable strategies for sustainable crop protection and soil health restoration.

📚 Publications Top Notes: 

1. 📘 “Omics” tools for better understanding the plant-fungi interactions – Forest Fungi (2025)

2. 🌿 CRISPR plants for growth and development studies – CRISPR in Sustainable Agriculture (2025)

3. 🌲 Forest fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – Forest Fungi (2025)

4. 🍇 Beneficial Rhizobacteria for grapevine health – Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2025)

5. 🌱 Microbial Consortium & Compost for viticulture disease control – Horticulturae (2025)

6. 🍋 Phytochemical & antifungal activity of citrus peel extracts – Waste Biomass Valorization (2025)

7. 🌾 Microbial inoculants for plant resilience – Journal of Plant Diseases & Protection (2025)

8. 🍄 Fungal endophytes: evolution & ecology – Microbial Biosystems (2025)

9. 🧫 Bioactive potential of endophytic fungi – Nova Hedwigia (2025)

10. 🌲 Fungal agents in conifer diseases – Nova Hedwigia (2024)

🔚 Conclusion:

Dr. Lobna Hajji Ep Hedfi demonstrates exceptional promise and productivity as a phytopathologist and microbial ecologist. Her research is innovative, internationally relevant, and directly contributes to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience in Tunisia and beyond. With a strong foundation in publication, international collaboration, and applied microbial research, she is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award. With continued growth in grant leadership and translational science, she is poised to become one of Africa’s leading researchers in agricultural biotechnology.