Raouia Fakhfakh | autoimmune disease | Academic Citation Impact Award

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Dr. Raouia Fakhfakh | autoimmune disease | Academic Citation Impact Award

Scientific researcher at University hospital Habib Bourguiba of Sfax, Tunisia

Dr. Raouia Fakhfakh is a distinguished researcher with a robust academic background and extensive experience in immunology and genetics. Her career spans significant roles in both academic and research settings, contributing profoundly to the understanding of autoimmune diseases and genetic factors influencing them. From 2013 to 2022, Dr. Fakhfakh served as a Professor and University Researcher in Immunology at the Research Laboratory for Autoimmunity, Cancer, and Immunogenetics at the Habib Bourguiba University Hospital Center in Sfax, Tunisia. During this tenure, she excelled in scientific project management, student supervision, and the application of molecular and cellular biology techniques. She also demonstrated proficiency in organizing workshops and scientific events, alongside managing laboratory resources and budgets.Prior to this, she held academic positions including a role as a University Teacher in Immunology at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis, Tunisia, from 2012 to 2013. Her educational contributions included advanced teachings in immunology and fostering knowledge exchange among colleagues.

Professional Profiles:

📚 Education:

Dr. Raouia Fakhfakh’s academic journey is marked by a strong foundation in biological sciences and a focus on molecular and cellular biology. She completed her Postdoctoral Internship from 2011 to 2012 at the Higher Institute of Pneumology and Cardiology of Quebec, University Laval, Canada. During this period, her research centered on the modulation of inflammation in the bronchial epithelium using 3D culture techniques, involving the culture of epithelial cells and fibroblasts, as well as enzymatic stimulation and bronchial remodeling. Prior to her postdoctoral work, Dr. Fakhfakh earned her PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Laval University, Quebec, Canada, graduating in June 2011. Her doctoral thesis titled “Blocking Myostatin Signaling and Other Ligands of the TGF-β Superfamily Increases the Success of Myoblast Transplantation in Dystrophic Mice” was conducted under the guidance of Professor Jacques P. Tremblay. Her research specialties included cell culture, muscle transplantation, genetic modification of cells, modulation of cell signaling, inflammation studies, cell regeneration, transcription factors, and myogenesis. Dr. Fakhfakh began her academic journey with a Master’s degree in Engineering Biology from the National Engineering School, Sfax, Tunisia, which she completed in July 2006. Her Master’s thesis focused on the prevalence of autoantibodies and the study of polymorphism of the Foxp3 gene in type 1 diabetes, supervised by Dr. Hatem Masmoudi, a professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Sfax. Her specialties included antibody determination, genotyping, ELISA techniques, and genetic associations. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Science from the Upper Biotechnology Institute, Monastir, Tunisia, in July 2004. Her undergraduate project titled “Determination of Enzymes from Fungal Cultures” was conducted under the supervision of Professor Hafedh Belguith at the Center of Sfax Biotechnology “CBS,” focusing on cell culture, screening, selection, and identification of enzyme-producing strains. Dr. Fakhfakh initiated her academic journey with a Diploma in Life Science and Earth from the Higher Institute of Biotechnology, Monastir, Tunisia, and completed her secondary education with a Bachelor of Experimental Science from Secondary School April 18, Sfax, Tunisia, in June 2000. Her educational trajectory underscores her dedication to advancing knowledge in biological sciences and her expertise in various facets of molecular and cellular biology.

Professional Experience:

Dr. Raouia Fakhfakh has a distinguished career in immunology and infectious disease research spanning multiple countries and institutions. Since 2023, she has served as a Researcher at the Infectious Disease Research Center of the Quebec University Hospital Research Center in Canada. In this role, she leads research projects with a focus on Leishmaniasis, assuming responsibilities as project manager. From 2013 to 2022, Dr. Fakhfakh held the position of Professor and University Researcher in Immunology at the Research Laboratory of Autoimmunity, Cancer, and Immunogenetics at Habib Bourguiba University Hospital Center in Sfax, Tunisia. Her responsibilities included writing and managing scientific projects, supervising students, and overseeing various molecular and cellular biology techniques. She actively contributed to the academic community by organizing workshops and scientific events, facilitating knowledge exchange among colleagues, and managing administrative tasks such as inventory control and budget allocation for the research laboratory. Prior to this, from 2012 to 2013, she served as a University Teacher in Immunology at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis, Tunisia. In this role, she provided higher education in Immunology and contributed to educational training programs aimed at fostering academic and professional growth in the field. Dr. Fakhfakh’s career reflects her commitment to advancing immunological research and education, making significant contributions to both scientific knowledge and the development of future researchers in the field.

Scholarships and Awards:

Dr. Raouia Fakhfakh has been recognized with several scholarships and awards throughout her academic and professional career. Notably, she received the Scholarship of the Young Teachers Scholarship Program Researchers Dr. Hatem Bettahar for the period of 2018-2019. This scholarship was awarded for her project titled “Neonatal Diabetes: Tunisian Genetic Footprint,” achieving an impressive average of 11.34. In addition to her scholarly achievements, Dr. Fakhfakh has actively contributed to the academic community through various workshops and conferences. She organized the 2nd practical training workshop of the “Autoimmunity and Immunogenetics” research unit UR12SP46 on Flow Cytometry at the Sfax Faculty of Medicine in February 2018. She also participated in significant events such as “the first meeting of the consortium in human genetics of Sfax” in May 2017, and the Winter School of Cell Analysis in Immunology at the University Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, in March 2017. Her commitment to professional development is evident through her participation in workshops such as “Successful Writing of an H2020 Project: Approach and Methodology” in June 2017 and “Biostatistical Analyses with SPSS Software” in October 2016, both held at the Faculty of Medicine in Sfax, Tunisia. She further expanded her knowledge through the international course “Genomic Medicine: From Diagnosis to Therapy” at the Pasteur Institute, Tunis, in October 2016. Dr. Fakhfakh’s dedication to research excellence is underscored by her involvement in training cycles like the “Manager of Programs and Research Projects” under the PASRI program, supported by the European Union and managed by the National Promotion Agency for Scientific Research (ANPR) in 2015. She was also awarded a travel grant from the French Society of Immunology (SFI) in 2014 and a Postdoctoral Training Award from the Fonds de recherche en santé du Québec (FRSQ) from September 2011 to August 2012. Additionally, she received an award under a Canadian competition for participation in a conference in 2012, sponsored by McGill University, Montreal, Canada. These accolades highlight Dr. Fakhfakh’s significant contributions to her field and her continuous pursuit of academic and professional excellence.

 

📚Publications :

Family-based association of 4q27 chromosomal region covering IL2-IL21 genes with type 1 diabetes (T1D)—a study of genetic risk factors

Authors: Zouidi F., Abida O., Fakhfakh R., Masmoudi H.

Citations: Not available

Year: 2024

Tubular expression of Toll-like receptor 9 in lupus and primary membranous nephropathy | Expression tubulaire du recepteur Toll-like 9 dans la Glomerulonephrite extramembraneuse lupique et la glomerulonephrite extramembraneuse primitive

Authors: Elloumi N., Fakhfakh R., Masmoudi H., Kammoun K.

Citations: Not available

Year: 2024

ICOS gene polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case–control study

Authors: Houssaini H., Bouallegui E., Abida O., Fakhfakh R., Masmoudi H.

Citations: Not available

Year: 2023

miRNA implication in the pathogenesis and the outcome of Tunisian endemic pemphigus foliaceus

Authors: Khabou B., Fakhfakh R., Tahri S., Masmoudi H., Abida O.

Citations: Not available

Year: 2023

Genes regulating oxidative-inflammatory response in circulating monocytes and neutrophils in septic syndrome

Authors: Elloumi N., Bahloul M., Benabdallah E., Masmoudi H., Bouaziz M.

Citations: Not available

Year: 2023

Evaluation of X chromosome inactivation in endemic Tunisian pemphigus foliaceus

Authors: Abida O., Elloumi N., Bahloul E., Turki H., Masmoudi H.

Citations: 1

Year: 2022

Differential Expression of Anti-Inflammatory RNA Binding Proteins in Lupus Nephritis

Authors: Fakhfakh R., Bouallegui E., Houssaini H., Boudawara T., Masmoudi H.

Citations: 2

Year: 2022

Th17 and Th1 cells in systemic lupus erythematosus with focus on lupus nephritis

Authors: Fakhfakh R., Zian Z., Elloumi N., Bahloul Z., Masmoudi H.

Citations: 8

Year: 2022

Role of innate immune receptors TLR4 and TLR2 polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility

Authors: Elloumi N., Tahri S., Fakhfakh R., Bahloul Z., Masmoudi H.

Citations: 6

Year: 2022

Annexin A1 and its receptor gene polymorphisms in systemic lupus erythematosus in the Tunisian population

Authors: Dhaffouli F., Hachicha H., Abida O., Bahloul Z., Masmoudi H.

Citations: 4

Year: 2022