Strengthening ties: CEPLAS welcomes ICARDA scientists for research exchange
We’re excited to welcome ICARDA scientists Nourhan Fouad and Nahed Alskhny from Egypt, who are currently visiting the lab of Prof. Maria von Korff Schmising at HHU.
Their visit is part of our ongoing goal to build and strengthen collaborations with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
We are excited about this opportunity for scientific exchange – and took the chance to ask them a few questions about their work and experiences.
Question 1: Could you briefly introduce yourselves and share what inspired you to pursue your research career in plant sciences/ at ICARDA Egypt?
My name is Nourhan Fouad, and I am a Senior Research Assistant in the Biotechnology Department at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). My work focuses on genome editing and molecular biotechnology to improve crop resilience and productivity, especially in cereals and legumes. When I was in my final year as an undergraduate, we visited the Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute in Egypt. That visit had a big impact on me, I saw the labs, learned about their goals, and immediately felt that I wanted to be one of those scientists. After graduation, I was fortunate to join their team as a junior researcher while starting my master's degree, and that experience confirmed my passion for plant science.
Since then, I have continued my career in this field. In 2014, I joined ICARDA in the Biotechnology Department, and over the years I've specialized in plant science for crop improvement. What inspires me most is the opportunity to contribute to developing resilient crops and sustainable solutions for agriculture, especially in dry areas like Egypt, where food security is such an important challenge
I am Nahed Alsekhni from Syria. After graduating with a diploma in agriculture, I joined ICARDA in 2000 and have been working here until 2025. I work in the biotechnology lab focusing on genetic transformation of legumes and cereals. ICARDA has always provided me with opportunities to improve my experience and knowledge
Question 2: What projects are you currently working on, and what impact do you hope they will have?
Currently, I am contributing to genome editing projects for chickpea to improve its tolerance to salinity stress led by faculty of Agricultural, Cairo University and AGERI, ARC. I also support breeders at ICARDA and our national partners in Egypt by applying marker-assisted selection for cereals and legumes breeding programs, which strengthens collaborative breeding programs with National Agricultural Research Stations (NARS). Alongside this, I am pursuing my PhD, where my research focuses on plant-microbiome and metagenomics. My belief is that building crop resilience requires an integrated approach, one that not only targets specific genes but also considers plant-microbe interactions and their role in adaptation to environmental changes.
This perspective has also allowed us to take part in ICARDA's involvement in the Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC), a project co-supported by the UAE and the Gates Foundation, and hosted by ICARDA under the CGIAR umbrella. Through the biotechnology workstation, our team contributes to this initiative, which combines research on pest biology and control methods with capacity building for researchers, extension staff, and farmers across the Middle East and North Africa.
I am currently working on a genome editing project focused on chickpea, in collaboration between ICARDA and Cairo University. The main goal of this project is to improve important traits in chickpea, such as drought tolerance, disease resistance. The impact we hope to achieve is significant: developing improved chickpea varieties that are better suited to dryland agriculture, particularly in regions facing water scarcity and changing climate conditions. This work can contribute to food security and enhance farmers.
Question 3: As women in science, what does it mean to you to serve as a role model for younger women? Have you observed any changes in the visibility or representation of women in leadership at ICARDA or partner institutions in recent years?
Being a woman in science and a mother of two, I feel it's important to show younger women that it is possible to balance a career and family. I have faced challenges and doubts along the way, but I have learned that with determination, women can be good researchers and leaders. I hope my experience can inspire other women to follow their goals. I have also seen positive changes over the years at ICARDA and in partner institutions. More women are taking leadership roles and being recognized for their work. While there is still more progress to make, it feels good to be part of this change and help encourage the next generation of women scientists.
As a woman working in science, serving as a role model for younger women is both a great responsibility and an honor. I believe that empowering women in scientific fields is not only about creating opportunities but also about inspiring and encouraging others showing through real examples that success in science is achievable regardless of gender.
From my experience, I’ve observed a noticeable improvement in the representation of women in leadership roles at ICARDA and some of its partner institutions in recent years. There is growing awareness about the importance of diversity and gender balance, and we are now seeing more women taking on key leadership and decision-making positions. These positive changes are a step toward a more inclusive environment and help motivate more young women to pursue careers in science with confidence and ambition.
Question 4: You have now spent a few weeks at HHU and CEPLAS as visiting scientists. What differences have you noticed compared to your home institution: in the lab, in teamwork, or in research culture in general and what has inspired you most during your stay so far?
During my week at HHU and CEPLAS, I’ve been really inspired by Prof. Maria Von Korff. She is a brilliant scientist and a supportive leader, always approachable and a great listener. Seeing how she balances her career and family has been especially motivating for me. The team is very skilled and works together seamlessly toward genome editing in barley. Everyone has their own expertise, and the collaboration is impressive. I also want to mention Gabriel and Shanda, who has guided us in barley tissue culture and made sure we feel welcome as newcomers. Overall, the professionalism, teamwork, and friendliness here have made me feel at home and given me new ideas to bring back to my own work.
I’ve noticed compared to my home institution is the high level of interdisciplinary collaboration. in terms of lab organization, I observed a strong emphasis on efficiency and shared responsibility. Lab members are very proactive in maintaining a clean, well-stocked, and well-organized environment, which contributes to a smooth workflow and minimizes downtime. The research culture at CEPLAS also stands out for its openness and support for early-career researchers. There’s a clear commitment to mentoring, professional development, and creating a collaborative scientific environment.
