Prof Ahmed Idris Hassen is an Applied Microbiologist (PhD) currently based in South Africa. He received his BSc degree in Biology and MSc degree in Food Microbiology in Ethiopia, and his PhD degree in Applied Microbiology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He has several years of teaching and lecturing experience in the fields of Biology and General Microbiology in Ethiopia. Currently he works as a research scientist and conducts research at the Agricultural Research Council, Plant Health and Protection in South Africa with a major research focus on Applied Microbiology for use in sustainable and climate smart agriculture. Priority research areas include plant-microbe interactions of the legume-rhizobium symbiosis, plant growth promoting rhizobacterial interactions in the rhizosphere of economically important crops, as well as biological control of soilborne diseases and development of insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) against common insect pests of crops. In addition, he conducts guest lecturing and supervision/co-supervision of postgraduate students in collaboration with higher education institutions as well as research and development collaboration with overseas scientists.
Research Interest(s): Plant Microbiology, Rhizobium-legume symbiotic interaction, molecular microbiology, microbial ecology, biocontrol of pests/pathogens using beneficial microbes, genomics
URL of your official website: https://www.arc.agric.za