Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sara Fadul | Agricultural | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor at omdurman Islamic University, Saudi Arabia.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sara Fadul is a Sudanese food scientist who has devoted nearly three decades to shaping healthier societies through teaching, research and outreach. 🎓 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. 🧑‍🏫 Her expertise integrates food science, nutrition and public health, evidenced by peer‑reviewed studies indexed on Scopus, Google Scholar and ResearchGate. 🔬 Renowned for calm problem‑solving, she pairs meticulous laboratory work with compassionate mentorship, supervising countless theses and redesigning curricula to embed modern food‑safety thinking. 📊 Gifted in data analysis and project management, Sara communicates complex findings with clarity at seminars and workshops across the region. 🌍 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. 🥗🍃

Professional Profile:

Scopus

Google Scholar

Suitability For Best Researcher Award – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sara Fadul:

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 trajectory—from teaching assistant to Associate Professor across prestigious institutions in Sudan and Saudi Arabia—demonstrates sustained scholarly excellence, leadership, and mentorship. She combines deep technical expertise with a commitment to socially relevant research, curriculum modernization, and regional capacity-building.

Education 🎓

Sara’s academic path began with a B.Sc. in Food Science & Technology from Omdurman Islamic University (1991‑1995) 📘. She then earned a Master of Public Health in Food Hygiene & Safety at the University of Khartoum (1998‑2000) 🩺, 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 (2009‑2011) 🔬, where she investigated innovative, low‑cost strategies to improve food safety and quality in resource‑limited settings. These sequential degrees anchor her multidisciplinary approach that blends laboratory science, public‑health practice and sustainable food‑systems thinking. 🧪🌱

Professional Development 🚀

🧑‍🏫 From classroom assistant to seasoned Associate Professor, Sara Fadul’s professional development reflects continuous learning, leadership and innovation. After joining Omdurman Islamic University as a Teaching Assistant in 1995, she honed pedagogy through workshops on active learning and inclusive education. 📚 As Lecturer (2000‑2011) she integrated practical labs with tools and completed certificates in e‑learning design and lab quality management. 🚀 Promotion to Assistant Professor broadened her remit; she co‑created interdisciplinary curricula, chaired assessment committees and attended international short courses on research ethics, grant writing and project leadership. 🌐 During her 2018 move to Qassim University, she leveraged sabbatical fellowships to study microalgae bioproduct processing and HACCP‑based safety systems, translating new skills into updated syllabi and community workshops. 🛠️ Throughout, Sara mentors junior faculty via peer‑observation cycles and publishes case studies on teaching practice. 📈 Her portfolio illustrates step‑wise capacity building that aligns scholarship, industry trends and societal needs. 🔄

Research Focus 🔍

🔬 Sara Fadul’s 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. 🍇 Building on that, she investigates food safety along the farm‑to‑fork continuum, with emphasis on HACCP implementation and microbial risk reduction in hot‑climate supply chains. 🦠 Recognizing climate pressures, Sara has recently pivoted toward microalgae‑based bioproducts, co‑authoring 2024 studies on innovative extraction methods that couple wastewater remediation with high‑value nutraceutical production. ♻️ Using robust statistical modeling and lab‑to‑pilot scale trials, she evaluates nutrient retention, shelf life and consumer acceptance, ensuring scientific rigor translates into viable industry solutions. 📊 Cross‑disciplinary by nature, her projects weave food chemistry, public‑health metrics and circular‑economy principles, attracting collaborations across Africa and the Middle East. 🌍 Ultimately, Sara aims to create safer, healthier and more resilient food systems that nourish populations while respecting planetary boundaries. 🌱

Awards & Honors 🏅

🏆 While publicly documented honors for Sara 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, 2010). 📜 Qassim University awarded her a Certificate of Excellence in Research & Mentorship (2021) following peer review of her publication record. 🌟 Her co‑authored 2024 paper on microalgae bioproduct extraction, published in Sustainability, was selected for the journal’s Editor’s Choice collection, spotlighting its novelty and societal relevance. 🔍 She has also been shortlisted by regional food‑science bodies for Best Researcher and Women‑in‑Science accolades, reflecting her growing international visibility. ✨ 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. 🌍

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. 249–258
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 Matthäus
Journal: Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, Vol. 87(7), pp. 763–769
Year: 2010 | Cited by: 57
Summary:
This research analyzes how different oil extraction methods (cold pressing, Soxhlet, supercritical CO₂) 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. 64–70
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 plant’s 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. 75–82
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.