Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zienab Ahmed is an accomplished researcher and academic leader in the field of horticultural science, currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Department of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). With a Ph.D. in Horticulture Physiology and Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA, she has built a remarkable career dedicated to advancing sustainable crop production, postharvest technology, and plant physiology research. Her academic foundation also includes a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from Assiut University, Egypt, forming the basis for her expertise in sustainable agriculture and crop improvement. Professionally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zienab Ahmed has over two decades of teaching and research experience across Egypt, the USA, and the UAE, leading several undergraduate and graduate courses while mentoring numerous master’s and doctoral students. She has successfully managed and participated in more than twelve funded projects, including international collaborations with the University of Talca (Chile), Pennsylvania State University (USA), and the University of Malaya (Malaysia), with total research funding exceeding AED 5 million. Her research interests center around sustainable horticultural crops production, postharvest physiology, hydroponic and soilless systems, and innovative approaches for fruit quality improvement. Skilled in experimental design, biochemical analysis, and advanced postharvest techniques, she has published over 55 peer-reviewed papers, including articles in top-tier Q1 journals such as Postharvest Biology and Technology, Horticulturae, and Scientific Reports. Her scholarly influence is evident from her Scopus Author ID (56785217500) and ORCID record (0000-0003-0952-2203), with an H-index of 22 and i10-index of 32, reflecting her significant academic impact. In recognition of her contributions, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zienab Ahmed received the ISHS Young Mind Award and has been invited as an editor and reviewer for several prestigious international journals including Frontiers in Plant Science, Food Chemistry, and Scientific Reports. She also holds editorial positions in over ten scientific journals and has contributed to international conferences across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Her professional memberships in the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) and International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) further demonstrate her active engagement in the global scientific community. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zienab Ahmed’s dedication to promoting innovative, sustainable, and technology-driven solutions for agricultural resilience underscores her reputation as a visionary researcher whose work continues to influence the future of food security and environmental sustainability worldwide.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications 

1. Ahmed, Z. F. R., & Palta, J. P. (2015). A natural lipid, Lysophosphatidylethanolamine, may promote ripening while reducing senescence in banana fruit. HortScience, 50(7), 1035–1040. (Citations: 45)

2. Ahmed, Z. F. R., & Palta, J. P. (2016). Postharvest dip treatment with a natural phospholipid along with lecithin may extend the shelf life of banana fruit. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 113, 58–65. (Citations: 62)

3. Ahmed, Z. F. R. (2016). Hormone-like action of a natural lipid, lysophosphatidylethanolamine. Chronica Horticulturae, 56(2), 7–8. (Citations: 18)

4. Ahmed, Z. F. R., Alnuaimi, A. K., Askri, A., & Tzortzakis, N. (2021). Evaluation of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) production under hydroponic system: Nutrient solution derived from fish waste vs. inorganic nutrient solution. Horticulturae, 7(9), 292. (Citations: 40)

5. Ahmed, Z. F. R., Taha, E. M. N. A., Abdelkarim, A. A., & Mohamed, W. M. (2020). Postharvest properties of unripe bananas and the potential of producing economic nutritious products. International Journal of Fruit Science, 20(1), 1–21. (Citations: 33)

6. Ahmed, Z. F. R., & Palta, J. P. (2017). Hormone-like action of a natural lipid, lysophosphatidylethanolamine: A comparison with auxin. Acta Horticulturae, 1187(13), 107–114. (Citations: 25)

7. Ahmed, Z. F. R., Taha, E. M., & Abd-Elkarim, N. A. A. (2019). Date seed oil as a potential natural additive to improve oxidative stability of edible vegetable oils. Egyptian Journal of Food Science, 47(1), 105–113. (Citations: 22)