Dr. houda Baati, Institut préparatoire aux études d’ingénieur de Sfax, Tunisia
Houda Baati, is an esteemed microbiologist specializing in biological engineering. Married with two children, she is fluent in Arabic, French, and English. Houda holds a doctorate in Biological Engineering from the National School of Engineers in Sfax, with a dissertation focused on microbial biodiversity in hypersaline environments and their biotechnological applications. As an academic, she serves as an Associate Professor at the Preparatory Institute for Engineering Studies of Sfax (IPEIS), Department of Biology. Passionate about advancing microbiology, Houda has authored impactful research with over 610 citations and an H-index of 11. Her dedication extends to mentoring, teaching, and collaborative research within prestigious labs like LASED.
Author Profile
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Summary of Suitability for the Award
Dr. Houda Baati demonstrates exceptional qualifications as a candidate for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her academic background is marked by a progression of achievements, from her Master’s in Biological Engineering to her doctoral work in microbial biodiversity and biotechnology. Her research focused on hypersaline environments and the application of halophilic bacteria in biotechnology, showcasing her expertise in a highly specialized and impactful field. The recognition of her doctoral work with “mention très honorable” highlights her academic rigor.
Dr. Baati’s professional career reflects her dedication to education and research. As a Maître-assistante at the Institut Préparatoire aux Études d’Ingénieurs de Sfax, she contributes to training the next generation of engineers.
Education
Houda Baati’s academic journey exemplifies excellence. She earned her Baccalaureate in Mathematics in 1998 with distinction, followed by a Master’s degree in Natural Sciences from the Faculty of Sciences in Sfax in 2001. In 2003, she completed her Master’s in Biological Engineering at the National School of Engineers of Sfax, with research focused on isolating thermophilic protease-producing strains. Her crowning academic achievement was her PhD in Biological Engineering (2010), where she explored microbial biodiversity in hypersaline environments and their biotechnological potential. Houda’s educational foundation paved the way for her impactful research and academic contributions in microbiology and biotechnology.
Professional Experience
Houda Baati’s professional career spans academia and industry. She began as a lecturer at the National School of Engineers of Sfax (2009-2010) before becoming an Assistant Professor at IPEIS. Her teaching portfolio includes practical courses in food microbiology and mentoring engineering students. Beyond academia, Houda gained hands-on experience during internships at Tunisia’s General Salt Company (COTUSAL) and France’s National Sequencing Center (GENOSCOPE), focusing on microbial biodiversity and phylogenetics. She is a committed member of the LASED research lab at IPEIS, where she actively contributes to coastal and urban environment studies.
Awards and Recognition
Houda Baati’s contributions to microbiology and biological engineering have earned her significant recognition. She has been an integral member of prestigious research units like LASED and previously the Coastal Environment Research Unit. Her research achievements are reflected in an H-index of 11, over 610 citations, and international collaborations. Houda’s dedication has been acknowledged with opportunities to participate in advanced training programs, including English for Academic Purposes at ENIS and microbiological analysis workshops at GENOSCOPE.
Houda Baati excels in microbial biodiversity, molecular biology, and biotechnological applications. Her research focuses on hypersaline environments, utilizing phylogenetic analysis and genomic techniques for studying microbial diversity. Skilled in techniques like gene cloning, sequencing, and protease production, Houda integrates molecular and cultural approaches to uncover biotechnological applications for extremophilic bacteria. Her collaboration in multidisciplinary teams has further enriched her expertise.
Publication Top Notes
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Prokaryotic diversity of a Tunisian multipond solar saltern
- Authors: H. Baati, S. Guermazi, R. Amdouni, N. Gharsallah, A. Sghir, E. Ammar
- Citation count: 123
- Year: 2008
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Biological properties of carotenoids extracted from Halobacterium halobium isolated from a Tunisian solar saltern
- Authors: M. Abbes, H. Baati, S. Guermazi, C. Messina, A. Santulli, N. Gharsallah, E. Ammar
- Citation count: 109
- Year: 2013
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Isolation and characterization of moderately halophilic bacteria from Tunisian solar saltern
- Authors: H. Baati, R. Amdouni, N. Gharsallah, A. Sghir, E. Ammar
- Citation count: 84
- Year: 2010
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Yeast performance in wastewater treatment: case study of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa
- Authors: R. Jarboui, H. Baati, F. Fetoui, A. Gargouri, N. Gharsallah, E. Ammar
- Citation count: 64
- Year: 2012
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Novel prokaryotic diversity in sediments of Tunisian multipond solar saltern
- Authors: H. Baati, S. Guermazi, N. Gharsallah, A. Sghir, E. Ammar
- Citation count: 57
- Year: 2010
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Assessment of heavy metals contamination and their potential toxicity in the surface sediments of Sfax Solar Saltern, Tunisia
- Authors: M. Bahloul, H. Baati, R. Amdouni, C. Azri
- Citation count: 48
- Year: 2018
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Assessment of sediment quality in the Mediterranean Sea–Boughrara lagoon exchange areas (southeastern Tunisia): GIS approach-based chemometric methods
- Authors: A. Kharroubi, D. Gargouri, H. Baati, C. Azri
- Citation count: 41
- Year: 2012
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Microbial community of salt crystals processed from Mediterranean seawater based on 16S rRNA analysis
- Authors: H. Baati, S. Guermazi, N. Gharsallah, A. Sghir, E. Ammar
- Citation count: 41
- Year: 2010
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Molecular community analysis of magnesium-rich bittern brine recovered from a Tunisian solar saltern
- Authors: H. Baati, R. Jarboui, N. Gharsallah, A. Sghir, E. Ammar
- Citation count: 20
- Year: 2011
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Resistance of a Halobacterium salinarum isolate from a solar saltern to cadmium, lead, nickel, zinc, and copper
- Authors: H. Baati, M. Siala, C. Azri, E. Ammar, C. Dunlap, M. Trigui
- Citation count: 17
- Year: 2020