Prof. Dr. Aly Farag El Sheikha

Aly Farag El Sheikha is a specialist in mycology, microbial ecology, molecular biology, molecular fingerprinting, traceability, food quality and safety, food science and technology, microbiology, and biotechnology. He has more than 23 years of academic and research experience at various academic and research bodies worldwide. He was a full professor/principal researcher at the College of Bioscience and Bioengineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University (China). His most significant contributions include: the invention of a novel molecular diagnostic method for detecting and identifying pathogenic Candida species—this patent opens up new avenues such as the differentiation between drug-resistant and drug-sensitive strains of infectious fungi within the same species (US 62/964,218: pending); and development of molecular techniques for ensuring compliance with the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and other relevant food legislation—these developed techniques are used to implement an innovative traceability system that provides unique genetic fingerprints (biological barcodes) for foods, woods, insect pests, etc. He participated in the construction of seven research laboratories in different disciplines in China, France, and Benin. He has won numerous international prizes, has been published more than 90 times in international reviews (e.g., books, chapters, articles, etc.), and is a member of the international board of more than 75 international journals.