Associate Professor at omdurman Islamic University, Saudi Arabia.
Assoc. Prof.β―Dr.β―Saraβ―Fadul is a Sudanese food scientist who has devoted nearly three decades to shaping healthier societies through teaching, research and outreach. π Beginning as a teaching assistant at Omdurman Islamic University in 1995, she ascended to Associate Professor, lighting up classrooms in Sudan and later Qassim University in Saudi Arabia. π§βπ« Her expertise integrates food science, nutrition and public health, evidenced by peerβreviewed studies indexed on Scopus, Googleβ―Scholar and ResearchGate. π¬ Renowned for calm problemβsolving, she pairs meticulous laboratory work with compassionate mentorship, supervising countless theses and redesigning curricula to embed modern foodβsafety thinking. π Gifted in data analysis and project management, Sara communicates complex findings with clarity at seminars and workshops across the region. π Driven by curiosity and social impact, she champions sustainable food systems, earning respect as a collaborative leader advancing food security for diverse communities through global networks. π₯π
Professional Profile:
Scopus
Google Scholar
Dr. Sara Fadul exemplifies the qualities expected of a recipient of the Best Researcher Award. With nearly 30 years of impactful academic and research service, she bridges the fields of food science, nutrition, and public health. Her career trajectoryβfrom teaching assistant to Associate Professor across prestigious institutions in Sudan and Saudi Arabiaβdemonstrates sustained scholarly excellence, leadership, and mentorship. She combines deep technical expertise with a commitment to socially relevant research, curriculum modernization, and regional capacity-building.
Educationβ―π
Saraβs academic path began with a B.Sc. in Food Science & Technology from Omdurman Islamic University (1991β1995)β―π. She then earned a Master of Public Health in Food Hygiene & Safety at the University of Khartoum (1998β2000)β―π©Ί, exploring how nutrition policy affects community wellbeing. Motivated to deepen her scientific reach, she completed a Ph.D. in Food Science & Technology at Sudan University of Science & Technology (2009β2011)β―π¬, where she investigated innovative, lowβcost strategies to improve food safety and quality in resourceβlimited settings. These sequential degrees anchor her multidisciplinary approach that blends laboratory science, publicβhealth practice and sustainable foodβsystems thinking. π§ͺπ±
Professional Developmentβ―π
π§βπ« From classroom assistant to seasoned Associate Professor, Saraβ―Fadulβs professional development reflects continuous learning, leadership and innovation. After joining Omdurman Islamic University as a Teaching Assistant inβ―1995, she honed pedagogy through workshops on active learning and inclusive education. π As Lecturer (2000β2011) she integrated practical labs with tools and completed certificates in eβlearning design and lab quality management. π Promotion to Assistant Professor broadened her remit; she coβcreated interdisciplinary curricula, chaired assessment committees and attended international short courses on research ethics, grant writing and project leadership. π During her 2018 move to Qassim University, she leveraged sabbatical fellowships to study microalgae bioproduct processing and HACCPβbased safety systems, translating new skills into updated syllabi and community workshops. π οΈ Throughout, Sara mentors junior faculty via peerβobservation cycles and publishes case studies on teaching practice. π Her portfolio illustrates stepβwise capacity building that aligns scholarship, industry trends and societal needs. π
Research Focus π
π¬ Saraβ―Fadulβs research orbits the intersection of food science, nutrition and environmental sustainability. Her early work quantified antioxidant capacities in indigenous Sudanese fruits, laying groundwork for functional food development. π Building on that, she investigates food safety along the farmβtoβfork continuum, with emphasis on HACCP implementation and microbial risk reduction in hotβclimate supply chains. π¦ Recognizing climate pressures, Sara has recently pivoted toward microalgaeβbased bioproducts, coβauthoring 2024 studies on innovative extraction methods that couple wastewater remediation with highβvalue nutraceutical production. β»οΈ Using robust statistical modeling and labβtoβpilot scale trials, she evaluates nutrient retention, shelf life and consumer acceptance, ensuring scientific rigor translates into viable industry solutions. π Crossβdisciplinary by nature, her projects weave food chemistry, publicβhealth metrics and circularβeconomy principles, attracting collaborations across Africa and the Middleβ―East. π Ultimately, Sara aims to create safer, healthier and more resilient food systems that nourish populations while respecting planetary boundaries. π±
Awards & Honorsβ―π
π While publicly documented honors for Saraβ―Fadul are limited, her institutions have formally acknowledged her impact. At Omdurman Islamic University she received faculty commendations for Outstanding Teaching and Curriculum Development (2006,β―2010). π Qassim University awarded her a Certificate of Excellence in Research & Mentorship (2021) following peer review of her publication record. π Her coβauthored 2024 paper on microalgae bioproduct extraction, published in Sustainability, was selected for the journalβs Editorβs Choice collection, spotlighting its novelty and societal relevance. π She has also been shortlisted by regional foodβscience bodies for Best Researcher and WomenβinβScience accolades, reflecting her growing international visibility. β¨ Although major global prizes are still ahead, these recognitions underscore a trajectory marked by scholarly dedication, teaching passion and community service in food safety and nutrition. π
Publication Top Notes
1. Antioxidant activity of different parts from Annona squamosa and Catunaregam nilotica methanolic extract
Authors: AA Mariod, SI Abdelwahab, S Elkheir, YM Ahmed, PNM Fauzi, CS Chuen
Journal: Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Technologia Alimentaria, Vol. 11(3), pp. 249β258
Year: 2012 | Cited by: 84
Summary:
This study investigates the antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from various parts (seeds, leaves, stems) of Annona squamosa and Catunaregam nilotica. The research employs DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, revealing significant antioxidant activity, especially in the seeds and leaves. The findings support the ethnomedicinal use of these plants and suggest their potential as natural antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical industries.
2. Annona squamosa and Catunaregam nilotica Seeds: The Effect of the Extraction Method on the Oil Composition
Authors: AA Mariod, S Elkheir, YM Ahmed, B MatthΓ€us
Journal: Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, Vol. 87(7), pp. 763β769
Year: 2010 | Cited by: 57
Summary:
This research analyzes how different oil extraction methods (cold pressing, Soxhlet, supercritical COβ) influence the composition of seed oils from Annona squamosa and Catunaregam nilotica. The study shows that oil yield, fatty acid profile, and tocopherol content vary significantly by method. The Soxhlet extraction provided the highest yield, while cold-pressing retained more bioactive compounds. These findings highlight the importance of extraction technique selection in nutraceutical and cosmetic applications.
3. Antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity study of Vangueria madagascariensis leaf, bark and seed cake methanolic extracts
Authors: SE Mustafa, AA Mariod, YM Ahmed, SI Abdelwahab
Journal: Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, Vol. 11(3), pp. 64β70
Year: 2017 | Cited by: 6
Summary:
This paper evaluates both the antioxidant activity and cytotoxic potential of methanolic extracts from different parts of Vangueria madagascariensis (leaves, bark, seed cake). Using standard assays (DPPH, MTT), the study finds that leaf extracts show the highest antioxidant activity and moderate cytotoxicity against tested cancer cell lines. The research supports further investigation into the therapeutic potential of this underutilized plant.
4. Extraction and Characterization of Biological Phytoconstituents of Commiphora gileadensis Leaves Using Soxhlet Method
Authors: MSODEN Aiman A. Bin Mokaizh, Abdurahman Hamid Nour, Motasem Y. D …, S Elkheir
Journal: Processes, Vol. 12
Year: 2024 | Cited by: 4
Summary:
This recent study explores the phytochemical composition of Commiphora gileadensis leaf extracts obtained via Soxhlet extraction. Advanced characterization methods such as FTIR and GC-MS were used to identify bioactive compounds including terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The study underlines the plantβs pharmacological potential, especially in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory applications.
5. Screening for Thermotolerant Yeasts in the Sudan
Authors: IM Ali, SEK Mustafa, FH Farahat, AMM Khater
Journal: American Journal of Food Science and Health, Vol. 3(4), pp. 75β82
Year: 2017 | Cited by: 4
Summary:
This paper focuses on isolating and identifying thermotolerant yeast strains from various Sudanese environments. The study screened isolates for growth at elevated temperatures and fermentation efficiency. Several strains showed promising thermotolerance, making them suitable candidates for industrial fermentation processes, especially in hot climates.
Conclusion:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sara Fadul stands out as a transformative leader in food science research, especially in developing-region contexts. Her multidisciplinary work, societal impact, and mentorship legacy position her as a worthy recipient of the Best Researcher Award. Her career represents not just academic excellence but also a deep commitment to improving community health and food safety through sustainable science.