Assist. Prof. Dr. Sonia Ktari | Medical Bacteriology | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sonia Ktari, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Tunisia

Dr. Sonia Ktari Chaari is a dedicated Assistant Professor of Microbiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Tunisia. She plays a key role at the Laboratory of Microorganisms and Human Pathologies, CHU Habib Bourguiba. Her expertise lies in bacterial resistance, molecular epidemiology, and microbiological diagnostics. With over two decades of academic pursuit and scientific inquiry, she has contributed significantly to the understanding of hospital-acquired infections and emerging resistant strains. Dr. Ktari has co-authored numerous high-impact journal publications and has supervised multiple theses in microbiology and health sciences. Her scholarly approach integrates molecular biology with data-driven research, as demonstrated by her recent specialization in statistics and data analysis. As a mother of two and an accomplished scientist, Dr. Ktari exemplifies balance and excellence in academia, earning respect both nationally and internationally for her contributions to medical bacteriology.

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Suitability Summary for Research for Best Researcher Award: Sonia Ktari Chaari

Sonia Ktari Chaari is a highly accomplished microbiologist and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Tunisia. Her strong academic foundation, including a PhD in Biological Engineering and a recent Habilitation to Direct Research (HDR), reflects her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge. She also holds a professional master’s degree in statistics and data analysis, underlining her proficiency in applying rigorous quantitative methods to health sciences research.

Her research expertise centers on microbiology, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, a critical and globally relevant field. Sonia has made significant contributions to understanding hospital-associated infections, molecular epidemiology, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms, as demonstrated by her numerous publications in reputable, peer-reviewed international journals with respectable impact factors. Her work on nosocomial outbreaks and antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, and Streptococcus pneumoniae showcases both applied and fundamental research that addresses urgent public health challenges.

🎓 Education 

Dr. Sonia Ktari holds a comprehensive academic background in biological sciences. She earned her Habilitation to Direct Research (HDR) in Biological Sciences in 2023 from the Faculty of Sciences of Sfax. She further diversified her skillset by obtaining a Professional Master’s in Statistics and Data Analysis for Health Sciences from the Faculty of Medicine of Sfax the same year. Her foundational journey includes a PhD and Master’s in Biological Engineering from the National School of Engineers of Sfax in 2008 and 2003, respectively. Prior to that, she acquired a Bachelor’s Degree and a DEUG in Natural Sciences from the Faculty of Sciences of Sfax. Her early academic formation was rooted in the Experimental Sciences, completing her Baccalaureate in 1997. Dr. Ktari’s interdisciplinary education equips her with both deep scientific knowledge and modern analytical tools, empowering her to lead high-impact research in microbiology and infectious disease control.

💼 Professional Experience

With over a decade of academic and research experience, Dr. Sonia Ktari has been an integral faculty member at the University of Sfax, Tunisia, since 2014. As Assistant Professor in Microbiology, she has developed and delivered courses in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Bacterial Typing for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her pedagogical expertise extends to supervising practical workshops and creating laboratory manuals that enhance applied learning. In research supervision, Dr. Ktari has mentored numerous Master’s and undergraduate theses, and co-supervised a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Her laboratory work, housed in CHU Habib Bourguiba’s microbiology division, focuses on hospital pathogen surveillance and molecular diagnostics. She collaborates closely with clinical and international research teams, contributing to high-impact investigations of antibiotic resistance and nosocomial outbreaks. Her multifaceted experience bridges teaching, research, and clinical microbiology, shaping her as a leader in the field of medical bacteriology.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

Dr. Sonia Ktari has received widespread recognition for her impactful contributions to medical bacteriology. Her scientific publications in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and Microbial Drug Resistance have brought international attention to Tunisia’s efforts in combatting bacterial resistance. Her studies on multi-drug resistant pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae have become critical references in clinical microbiology. In acknowledgment of her growing influence in microbiological research and her ability to mentor young scientists, she earned her Habilitation to Direct Research in 2023. She is a trusted co-author in interdisciplinary teams and often contributes to collaborative projects with global epidemiology centers. Her dedication to academic excellence and laboratory precision has also garnered accolades within her institution and among the broader research community. Dr. Ktari’s standing as a scholar makes her a deserving candidate for prestigious international research awards.

🌍 Research Skills On Medical Bacteriology

Dr. Ktari’s research proficiency lies at the intersection of molecular microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, and genomic epidemiology. She has specialized skills in molecular subtyping methods, bacterial genome analysis, and clinical diagnostics. Her work involves tracking the genetic evolution and resistance mechanisms of nosocomial pathogens such as Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. She effectively uses statistical and computational tools to analyze large datasets, thanks to her Master’s in Health Data Analysis. Dr. Ktari is proficient in designing and executing PCR, sequencing protocols, and resistance gene detection. Additionally, her capabilities in supervising multidisciplinary teams and translating research into clinical practice enhance her relevance in both academic and hospital-based microbiological settings. Her ability to lead investigations into hospital outbreaks and resistance spread highlights her vital contribution to public health microbiology.

 Publication Top Notes

Title: Genomic analysis of Brucella melitensis isolates recovered from humans in south Tunisia over 35 years between 1988 and 2022
Authors: (Not provided in your snippet)
Citation count: 1 citation
Year: 2025
Journal: BMC Microbiology
Access: Open access

Title: Molecular epidemiology of a multidrug-resistant Shigella sonnei outbreak in Tunisia (2022–2023) using whole-genome sequencing
Authors: (Not provided in your snippet)
Citation count: 0 citations
Year: 2025