Xiaobo Zhong | Soil Biology | Distinguished Soil Science Achievement

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Dr. Xiaobo Zhong | Soil Biology | Distinguished Soil Science Achievement

Dr. Xiaobo Zhong | Institut Pasteur | France 

Dr. Xiaobo Zhong is a microbiologist whose research explores the structural and molecular mechanisms that govern bacterial morphogenesis and intercellular interactions. His work focuses on the bacterial cell wall, a multifunctional structure critical for maintaining shape, division, and environmental adaptability. Through advanced techniques such as cryo-electron tomography, he investigates how bacterial cell surface architectures enable microbial communication and phenomena like microbial hitchhiking, where non-motile species utilize motile counterparts for dispersal. His studies have revealed key molecular players in cell wall biosynthesis, including cellulose synthase complexes and stomatin-like proteins that organize membrane microdomains under stress conditions. His research contributions, published in leading journals such as Nature Communications, Trends in Microbiology, and mBio, have expanded understanding of cell envelope biology and stress adaptation in filamentous actinobacteria. His work bridges structural biology, microbiology, and biochemistry, advancing insight into microbial physiology and antibiotic resistance. In addition to research, he has supervised and mentored graduate and undergraduate students and contributed to several international conferences through oral and poster presentations. His ongoing investigations at the Pasteur Institute continue to advance integrative structural cell biology with applications in microbial biotechnology and antibiotic discovery.

Profile:  Orcid 

Featured Publications

Zhong, X., & Claessen, D. (2025). Cellulose biosynthesis and function in Streptomyces. Trends in Microbiology.

Zhong, X., Baur, S. S. M., Ongenae, V. M. A., Guerrero Egido, G., Shitut, S., Du, C., Vijgenboom, E., van Wezel, G. P., Carrion Bravo, V., Briegel, A., & Claessen, D. (2025). The stomatin-like protein StlP organizes membrane microdomains to govern polar growth in filamentous actinobacteria under hyperosmotic stress. Nature Communications.

Zhong, X., Nicolardi, S., Ouyang, R., Wuhrer, M., Du, C., van Wezel, G. P., Vijgenboom, E., Briegel, A., & Claessen, D. (2024). CslA and GlxA from Streptomyces lividans form a functional cellulose synthase complex. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 90(4), e02087-23.

Houda Oueriemmi | Soil Scientist | Best Researcher Award

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 Dr. Houda Oueriemmi | Soil Scientist | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Houda Oueriemmi, Arid Region Institute, Tunisia

Dr. Houda Oueriemmi is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Arid Region Institute of Medenine, Tunisia. Her research focuses on soil fertility, desertification control, and sustainable land management in arid and semi-arid regions. She holds a Ph.D. in Water and Earth Sciences from the Higher Institute of Water Sciences and Techniques of Gabès, specializing in organic soil amendments and their role in improving degraded soils. Dr. Oueriemmi has collaborated on international projects, including the European ISFERALDA initiative, and has published extensively on composted organic waste, biochar applications, and soil health.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Houda Oueriemmi has demonstrated remarkable expertise in soil fertility enhancement and sustainable land management, particularly in arid regions. Her work is internationally recognized, and she actively contributes to high-impact research projects. Her publications and collaborations underscore her scientific excellence. Strengthening her research impact through increased citations, mentorship, and funding acquisition could further elevate her standing in the global scientific community.

 

🎓 Education

Houda Oueriemmi holds a Ph.D. in Water and Earth Sciences from the Higher Institute of Water Sciences and Techniques of Gabès, completed in 2021 at the Laboratory of Eremology and Combating Desertification, Arid Regions Institute (IRA) of Médenine. She earned a Master’s degree in Geology of Sedimentary Basins in 2015 and another Master’s in Valorization of Geomaterials in 2012, both from the Faculty of Sciences of Gabès. She also obtained a Licence degree in Natural Sciences and Applications in 2010 from the same institution and completed her Scientific Baccalaureate at Ibn Roched High School, Zarzis, in 2007.

💼Experience

Currently, she is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Arid Region Institute of Medenine, contributing to the European project ISFERALDA, which focuses on improving soil fertility in arid and semi-arid regions using local organic date palm residues. Her research experience includes multiple internships, notably at the Institute of Agrobiological Research of Galicia (IIAG-CSIC) in Spain in 2018 and 2019, under the supervision of Dr. Petra Susan Kidd, Dr. Ángeles Prieto-Fernández, and Dr. Carmen Trasar-Cepeda. She has also conducted extensive Ph.D. research at the Laboratory of Eremology and Combating Desertification at IRA Médenine and completed Master’s and technician internships at institutions such as ECUMED Petroleum, the Cement Company of Gabès, and COTUSAL of Zarzis.

🔬Research Focus

Her research primarily revolves around soil fertility, desertification control, organic soil amendments, and sustainable land management in arid and semi-arid regions. She has worked extensively on evaluating composted organic wastes, biochar applications, and farmyard manure to improve soil fertility in sandy and degraded lands.

Awards

Houda Oueriemmi has been actively involved in international collaborations and research projects, receiving recognition for her contributions to soil fertility improvement and sustainable agricultural practices in arid environments.

Skills

Her technical skills include proficiency in office software such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and remote sensing tools like ArcGIS and ArcView. She also has experience with CorelDRAW. She is multilingual, with fluency in Arabic and French, strong proficiency in English, and basic knowledge of German.

Publications

 

  • Publication: Assessment of Earthworm Viability and Soil Health after Two Years of Raw and Composted De-Inking Paper Sludge Amendment
    Journal: Agriculture (Switzerland)
    Authors: Rahma Inès Zoghlami, Wael Toukabri, Khaoula Boudabbous, Mohamed Moussa, Haithem Bahri, et al.
    Year: 2023

 

Conclusion:

Dr. Oueriemmi is a deserving candidate for a Best Researcher Award due to her valuable contributions to soil science and environmental sustainability. With continued efforts in research expansion, funding acquisition, and mentorship, she has the potential to become a leading figure in her field.