Education and Training

• Ph.D. Entomology – University of California, Davis. 1981
• M.S. Entomology – University of California, Davis. 1978
• B.S. (With Honors) Agricultural Science [Plant Protection (Entomology/plant Pathology)] University of Cairo, Egypt. 1970
• Post Doctoral Fellow – University of California Davis, 1986-1987

Research Experience

Ecological studies, Plant-parasites interactions, monitoring environmental pollutants by using biomoniters/bioindicators. Taxonomical and morphological studies including the use of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Microbiological studies including investigation of different natural products for their antifungal and antibacterial properties. Study the colonization and adherence of microorganisms to different surfaces and the biofilm formation in fungi and bacteria. Investigating the Pesticidal activities of different natural products, as alternatives of synthetic organic pesticides. Nematological research including, nematode biology, life cycles, population dynamics, bioindicators, parasitism on plants, morphology, taxonomy, identification and describing new species. Biological control, using natural products from plants, algae, fungi and bacteria. Applying the use of Scanning Electron Microscope and Nanoanalysis to Biological research. Use of C. elegans as a model animal for genetic, aging, and toxicity research. The study of the effect of Microgravity and radiation on the reproduction, survival, life cycle and longevity of the nematode C. elegans. The use of Natural Products as Antioxidant to counteract the harmful effects of various environmental factors.

Ph. D. Dissertation Title: Taxonomy, Morphology, and Biology of Two New Species of Nematodes Parasitic on Sedge, Scirpus robustus Pursh.

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Entomology, Nematology, Plant Pathology, Ecology

Honors & Awards

1st Place Award, student oral presentation Research Week April 5-8, 2011

3rd Place Award, Student Poster presentation. At the 38th Annual Meeting of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCCHE). Houston, Texas, April 19-22, 2011

1st Place Award, faculty Poster presentation Research Week 2007, Texas Southern University

1st Place Award, faculty Poster presentation Research Week 2005, Texas Southern University

3rd Place Award, student oral presentation Research Week 2007, Texas Southern University for my graduate student Torrye Hopper.

Professional Affiliations

The Society of Nematologists

The American Phytopathological Society

American Chemical Society, Division of Agrochemical

Texas Academy of Science

Egyptian Plant Pathological Society

Biography

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Research Interests

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Research/Scholarly Activities

Ecological studies, Plant-parasites interactions, monitoring environmental pollutants by using biomoniters/bioindicators. Taxonomical and morphological studies including the use of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Microbiological studies including investigation of different natural products for their antifungal and antibacterial properties. Study the colonization and adherence of microorganisms to different surfaces and the biofilm formation in fungi and bacteria.

Investigating the Pesticidal activities of different natural products, as alternatives of synthetic organic pesticides. Nematological research including, nematode biology, life cycles, population dynamics, bioindicators, parasitism on plants, morphology, taxonomy, identification and describing new species. Biological control, using natural products from plants, algae, fungi and bacteria. Applying the use of Scanning Electron Microscope and Nanoanalysis to Biological research. Use of C. elegans as a model animal for genetic, aging, and toxicity research. The study of the effect of Microgravity and radiation on the reproduction, survival, life cycle and longevity of the nematode C. elegans. The use of Natural Products as Antioxidant to counteract the harmful effects of various environmental factors.

Recent Publications

Zhang, W., F. H. Abdel-Rahman and M. A. Saleh. 2011. Natural resistance of rose petals to microbial attack. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B. Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Waste. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B. 46:381-393.

Shahat, A., A.Y. Ibrahim, S. F. Hendawy, E. A. Omar, F. M. Hammouda, F. H. Abdel-Rahman and M. A. Saleh. 2011. Chemical Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oils from Organically Cultivated Fennel Cultivars. Molecules. 16:1366-1377.

Abdel-Rahman, Fawzia H., S. Clark, and M. A. Saleh. 2008. Natural organic compounds as alternatives to methyl bromide for nematodes control. Journal of Environmental Science and health, Part B. 43, 680-685.

Saleh, M. A. Mahmoud, Fawzia H. Abdel-Rahman, Brooke B. Woodard, Shavon Clark, Cecil Wallace, Adetoun Aboaba, Wenluo zhang and James H. Nance. 2008. Chemical, microbial and physical evaluation of commercial bottled waters in greater Houston area of Texas. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A 43, 335-347.

Shahat, A., El-Barouty, G., Hassan, R., Hammouda, Abdel-Rahman, F., and Saleh M. A., 2008. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil from the seeds of Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Leguminasae), Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B; Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes, 43, 519-525.

Funding

NASA/ Texas Southern University Research Center , NASA URC, Co P. I., 2003-2008 Utilization of Antimicrobial Natural Products for Management of Microorganisms in Space Life Support Systems.

NASA/ Texas Southern University Research Center, NASA URC (CBER), Co P.I., 2008-2013. Center for Bionanotechnology and Environmental Research.