TAKWA WANNASSI: A LEADING RESEARCHER IN PLANT PROTECTION AND SOIL MICROBIOMES 🌿

INTRODUCTION

Takwa Wannassi is a distinguished postdoctoral researcher specializing in plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR) and soil microbiomes. With a strong foundation in plant protection and environmental sciences, her work aims to enhance plant growth and combat diseases through innovative microbial interactions. Based in Tunisia, she has gained extensive experience in molecular biology, pest management, and genomics, contributing significantly to agricultural sustainability.

 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Takwa Wannassi’s academic journey began with a strong focus on biological sciences. She earned her Secondary Education Certificate in Experimental Science from Houcine Bouzaiene High School, Gafsa, Tunisia, before advancing to the Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Gabes for her preparatory cycle in Biology and Geology. She later pursued an Engineer Degree in Horticulture with a specialization in Plant Protection at the Higher Institute of Agronomic Sciences of Chott Mariem (ISA-CM), University of Sousse. Her academic dedication culminated in a Ph.D. in Plant Protection and Environment from the same institution.

 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Takwa Wannassi has held several prestigious research positions, including:

• Postdoctoral Fellow at CRRA Sidi Bouzid (2025): Conducting metagenomic analysis and supervising student research as part of the REVINE Project.
• Postdoctoral Fellow at ISA-CM (2023): Working on the ASTER Prima project, screening endosymbiont bacteria in invasive pests.
• Development Engineer at the Technical Center of Dates (2022-2023): Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies and monitoring crop damage.
• Responsible for the Insectarium at ISA-CM (2022-2023): Managing insect colonies and research operations in entomology laboratories.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON agricultural 

Takwa Wannassi’s research primarily revolves around plant-microbe interactions, emphasizing:

• Screening PGPR for plant growth and disease protection.
• Metagenomic analysis of soil microbiomes.
• Identification and characterization of bacteria and fungi linked to plant health.
• Sustainable agricultural solutions using microbial interventions. Her expertise extends to DNA extraction, PCR, bioinformatics, and microbial genomics, making her a crucial contributor to agricultural research.

 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Her contributions to plant protection and microbiome research have advanced sustainable agriculture practices, aiding in disease management and soil health restoration. Her work in invasive pest control has significant implications for food security and crop resilience in Tunisia and beyond.

 ACADEMIC CITATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Takwa Wannassi has authored numerous impactful research papers, including:

• “Emergence of the apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi as an economic pest of apricots in Tunisia” (Phytoparasitica Journal)
• “Insights on the bioecology of the invasive apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi in Tunisia” (Biologia Journal)
• “The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is spreading in North Africa: first report in Tunisia” (Oriental Insects Journal)
• “Prevalence of Wolbachia infection in field natural population of the apricot seed wasp” (International Microbiology Journal)
• “Exploration of bacterial composition and diversity within the apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi by 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing” (Symbiosis Journal)

 HONORS & AWARDS

• Best Poster Award (TJASSST 2019)
• Research Award, University of Victoria, Canada (2019)
• Mitacs Globalink Research Award, Acadia University, Canada (2021)
• Best Oral Communication Award, 13th Arab Plant Protection Conference (2022)

 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Looking ahead, Takwa Wannassi aims to: Expand international collaborations in microbial genomics and plant-microbe interactions. Contribute to the development of eco-friendly biofertilizers and biopesticides. Continue mentoring young researchers and students in agricultural biotechnology.

 FINAL NOTE

Takwa Wannassi remains committed to advancing plant protection research and sustainable agricultural practices. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and scientific innovation positions her as a key figure in microbiome studies and plant health improvement.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS 

Exploration of bacterial composition and diversity within the apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) by 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing

• Authors: Takwa Wannassi, Chahnez Naccache, Brahim Chermiti, and Maha Mezghani Khemakhem
• Journal: Symbiosis
• Year: 2025

Prevalence of Wolbachia infection in field natural population of the apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae)

• Authors: Takwa Wannassi, Ahmed Sayadi, Khaled Abbes, Salma Djebbi, Chahnez Naccache, Maha Mezghani Khemakhem, and Brahim Chermiti
• Journal: International Microbiology
• Year: 2024

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is spreading in North Africa: first report in Tunisia

• Authors: Khaled Abbes, Ahlem Harbi, Takwa Wanassi, Michele Ricupero, Gaetana Mazzeo, Agatino Russo, Antonio Biondi, Lucia Zappalà, and Brahim Chermiti
• Journal: Oriental Insects
• Year: 2023

Insights on the bioecology of the invasive apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) in Tunisia

• Authors: Takwa Wannassi, Khaled Abbes, Ahlem Harbi, and Brahim Chermiti
• Journal: Biologia
• Year: 2023

Emergence of the apricot seed wasp Eurytoma samsonowi Vassiliev (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) as an economic pest of apricots in Tunisia

• Authors: Takwa Wannassi, Ahlem Harbi, Khaled Abbes, Mohamed Elimem, Gérard Delvare, and Brahim Chermiti
• Journal: Phytoparasitica
• Year: 2022