Academic Researcher at Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University | Morocco
Dr. Mohamed Zarid is a promising scholar in agro-food sciences, plant genetics, and postharvest biology, with research focusing on genetic improvement, molecular breeding, and multi-omics approaches to enhance fruit quality, aroma, and texture, particularly in melon. His work combines molecular genetics with applied agricultural biotechnology, contributing to sustainable food production and agro-industry innovation. He earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Food Engineering from Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena with honors, and his doctoral research was recognized with the Extraordinary Ph.D. Award. His academic journey also includes training at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, complementing his advanced degrees in agro-food quality management. Dr. Zarid has engaged in international collaborations across Spain, France, Switzerland, and Morocco, participating in EU-funded projects and research networks. With publications in reputed journals, conference presentations, and leadership in teaching and mentoring, he demonstrates excellence in advancing agro-food sciences while actively contributing to global research and academic communities.
Professional Profiles
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Education
Dr. Zarid has pursued a rigorous and internationally oriented academic path that reflects his commitment to scientific excellence. He obtained his Ph.D. in Agricultural and Food Engineering from Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Spain, where his research on melon aroma and quality traits received high recognition. His academic journey also includes advanced training at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland, where he specialized in agricultural and food research technologies, further strengthening his multidisciplinary expertise. Prior to his doctoral studies, he earned a Master’s degree in Agro-Food Industry Quality Management from Université Sultan Moulay Slimane in Morocco, which laid a solid foundation for his later research pursuits. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Quality Control of Agro-Food Products and a Diploma in Agro-Food Biological Engineering, reflecting his early dedication to food sciences. This combination of international exposure and diverse qualifications has provided him with the tools to approach agricultural research from multiple perspectives.
Experience
Over the course of his career, Dr. Zarid has held research and teaching positions in Morocco, Spain, France, and Switzerland, making his profile highly international. He currently serves as a Maître de Conférences and researcher at Université Ibn Tofail, Morocco, where he contributes to the Centre d’Excellence Agroalimentaire. His experience includes postdoctoral research at INRAE, Avignon, France, where he studied fruit genetics and improvement, and research collaborations with top institutions such as CSIC in Spain and EPFL in Switzerland. In addition to research, he has actively engaged in academic teaching, serving as a lecturer and guest faculty member in subjects related to agro-food engineering, plant biology, and sustainability. His contributions extend to EU-funded projects, collaborative scientific networks, and participation in numerous international conferences. These experiences have honed his ability to combine scientific inquiry with practical agricultural applications, positioning him as both a skilled researcher and an influential academic leader.
Research Interests
Dr. Zarid’s research interests lie in advancing sustainable agriculture through the integration of plant genetics, molecular breeding, and biotechnology. He is particularly passionate about understanding the genetic and environmental regulation of fruit quality traits such as texture, aroma, and shelf life, with melon serving as a model species for his studies. His expertise spans transcriptomics, genomics, and metabolomics, which he employs in multi-omics approaches to unravel the complex interactions between genetics and environment. Beyond crop quality improvement, he has explored themes in food safety and postharvest physiology, emphasizing sustainable practices and consumer health. His interests also include the application of artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis techniques to plant breeding and digital genomics. By bridging fundamental research with real-world agricultural challenges, Dr. Zarid’s work not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also supports global food security and the development of innovative agro-food industry practices.
Awards and Honors
Throughout his academic career, Dr. Zarid has received recognition for his outstanding research achievements. His Ph.D. thesis, which explored genetic and aromatic traits in melon, was awarded the prestigious Extraordinary Ph.D. Award at Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, securing third place in the sciences category. He has been invited as a speaker and presenter at multiple international conferences, where his contributions have been acknowledged by peers in the agro-food and plant sciences communities. His publications in high-impact journals indexed in Scopus, IEEE, and Springer further highlight his scholarly impact. In addition to research excellence, his involvement in EU-funded and collaborative projects has also been recognized as a valuable contribution to the advancement of agricultural sciences. These honors reflect his dedication to advancing scientific innovation, his ability to translate research into practical outcomes, and his growing influence as a thought leader in agro-food biotechnology and sustainable agricultural research.
Research Skills
Dr. Zarid possesses a diverse and advanced set of research skills that make him a versatile and impactful scientist. His expertise includes plant genetics, genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics, which he integrates into comprehensive multi-omics analyses to study crop traits. He is skilled in molecular breeding techniques, postharvest biology, and food quality assessment, allowing him to address challenges across the entire food production chain. His experience with analytical methods such as QTL mapping, genome sequencing, and volatile compound profiling provides him with a robust toolkit for plant improvement studies. In addition, he has developed strong competencies in scientific writing, project management, and dissemination of research findings through publications and presentations. His collaborative work has strengthened his cross-cultural communication and leadership skills, essential for international projects. By combining technical proficiency with creativity and problem-solving, Dr. Zarid demonstrates the ability to design innovative research that advances both academic knowledge and applied agricultural practices.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Transcriptomic analysis of a near‐isogenic line of melon with high fruit flesh firmness during ripening
Authors: M. Zarid, V. García‐Carpintero, C. Esteras, J. Esteva, M.C. Bueso, et al.
Year: 2021
Citation: 11
Title: Methodology to remove strong outliers of non-climacteric melon fruit aroma at harvest obtained by HS-SPME GC-MS analysis
Authors: J.P. Fernández-Trujillo, M. Zarid, M.C. Bueso
Year: 2018
Citation: 9
Title: Aroma volatiles during non-climacteric melon ripening and potential association with flesh firmness
Authors: A.A. Escudero, M. Zarid, M.C. Bueso, J.P. Fernández-Trujillo
Year: 2016
Citation: 7
Title: Seasonal effect on selected quality traits of a melon near-isogenic line
Authors: M. Zarid, J.P. Fernández-Trujillo
Year: 2016
Citation: 6
Title: Seasonal effects on flesh volatile concentrations and texture at harvest in a near-isogenic line of melon with introgression in LG X
Authors: M. Zarid, M.C. Bueso, J.P. Fernández-Trujillo
Year: 2020
Citation: 5
Title: Gene expression and volatile production during melon ripening
Authors: M. Zarid, C. Esteras, A.G. Sifres, X. Cañizares, J. Esteva, M.B. Picó, et al.
Year: 2017
Citation: 4
Title: Aroma volatile changes in non-climacteric melons with introgression in linkage group X at three stages of maturity
Authors: I. Canales, J.P. Fernández-Trujillo, M.C. Bueso, M. Zarid
Year: 2016
Citation: 2
Title: Green HACCP: Food Safety and Environment
Authors: M. Zarid
Year: 2019
Citation: 1
Title: The Green HACCP Approach: Advancing Food Safety and Sustainability
Authors: M. Zarid
Year: 2025
Conclusion
Dr. Mohamed Zarid is highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award for his outstanding academic trajectory, impactful publications, and international research collaborations. His work integrates advanced genomics, crop quality improvement, and sustainability in agro-food systems, contributing directly to pressing global challenges in food production and security. With a strong foundation of scientific excellence and international exposure, he is well-positioned to make transformative contributions to agricultural biotechnology and food sciences. His future potential as a leader lies not only in advancing cutting-edge research but also in mentoring the next generation of agro-food scientists, making him an ideal candidate for this recognition.
