Imane Maiouet | Applied microbiology and biotechnology | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Ms. Imane Maiouet | Applied microbiology and biotechnology | Young Scientist Award

University Hassan 2 of Casablanca, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Mohammedia | Morocco

Ms. Imane Maiouet research focuses on microbial biotechnology with a specialization in the isolation, technological characterization, antimicrobial profiling, and probiotic assessment of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) derived from dairy sources. Core investigations include phenotypic, biochemical, physiological, and molecular identification of LAB strains, followed by detailed evaluation of their fermentation behavior, acidification capacity, growth kinetics, and enzymatic activities. The work further explores antimicrobial mechanisms through agar diffusion assays, OD-based inhibition tests, and co-culture studies aimed at suppressing foodborne and clinical pathogens. A significant component involves identifying, purifying, and optimizing LAB-derived bioactive compounds, particularly bacteriocin-like substances, with potential applications in food safety and functional probiotics. Probiotic characterization includes assessing acid and bile tolerance, hydrophobicity, aggregation behavior, gastrointestinal resilience, enzymatic traits, and safety indicators such as hemolysis and antibiotic susceptibility. Additional studies address the technological performance of LAB in dairy environments, the impact of different processing conditions, and the development of strains with enhanced antagonistic and functional properties. Parallel research has examined biotechnological applications related to spoilage inhibition, environmental microbiology, and the integration of data analysis workflows using Python and statistical tools. Collectively, this work advances the development of beneficial LAB strains with promising industrial, probiotic, and biopreservative potential.

Featured Publication

Fadoua Louglali | Medical Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Ms. Fadoua Louglali | Medical Microbiology
| Best Researcher Award

Industrial and Surface Engineering Laboratory | Morocco

Ms. Fadoua Louglali is a dedicated researcher and Ph.D. student specializing in Natural Resources, Environment, and Health at the Industrial and Surface Engineering Laboratory, Bioprocess and Biointerfaces Team, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques Beni-Mellal, Morocco. Her academic journey includes a Master’s in Science and Technology with a focus on Quality Management in Agri-Food Industries and a License in Technology and Quality of Agri-Food Products. She has accumulated practical experience through multiple internships, including contributions to upgrading the  management systems at ELDIN S.A., reliability studies at Centrale DANONE, validation of physicochemical methods at the National Office for Food Safety, and microbiological analyses at a regional hospital in Beni-Mellal. Fadoua’s research focuses on the physicochemical and microbiological characterization of surfaces, particularly gallstones, to understand their interactions with pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella Typhi. She has published work in Current Microbiology (1 document, 0 citations, h-index 0) and presented her findings through multiple national scientific communications and posters, exploring factors influencing biofilm formation and the chemical, microstructural, and elemental properties of gallstones. Her multidisciplinary expertise combines analytical chemistry, microbiology, and food safety, reflecting her commitment to advancing health and environmental research. With strong technical skills, a robust research record, and international collaborations, she continues to contribute to the understanding of pathogen-surface interactions and their implications for public health.

Profile: Orcid | Scopus 

Featured Publication

Louglali, F. (2025). Physicochemical characterization of gallstone surfaces to predict their interaction with Salmonella Typhi. Current Microbiology.