Hana Maalej

I am an assistant professor of Biotechnology at the Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, Tunisia. Besides my teaching activities, I am a researcher at the Enzyme Engineering and Microbiology Laboratory at the National Engineering School of Sfax, where I accomplished all my higher studies.

As a biotechnologist, my research activities focus on biochemistry, microbiology, glycobiology, and molecular biology. Because I believe that the sea is a yet-undiscovered treasure, my current research activities focus on the Tunisian marine biodiversity investigation with the dual purpose of identifying and developing innovative biomolecules from bacterial and marine sources, particularly enzymes and biopolymers, as well as the conversion of fishery discards including viscera, heads, skin, bones, and shells to high added-value molecules and biomaterials. 

Exchange and setting up bilateral or multilateral research collaboration with foreign institutions is important to me as a researcher. My first cooperation started in 2012, as a PhD student. Later, as assistant professor, I established several collaborations at the Ifremer center of Nantes-France (SSHN mobility, 2017), the Faculty of Science and Technology of Algarve University-Portugal (JAMIES mobility, 2018), and the Institut Européen des Membranes of Montpellier-France (PHC-Utique program, 2019). I was also selected as Tunisian principal investigator to carry out a French-Tunisian project (PHC-Utique project 2020-2022). 

In AGYA, I aim to strengthen and diversify my network by involving German and Arab colleagues. AGYA membership enables me to participate in innovative research projects.

I strongly believe that combining different ideas from scientists with diverse disciplinary backgrounds is beneficial to finding solutions to environmental threats and future challenges related to the use of natural resources. 

Academic career