Assist Prof Dr. Rim Werheni Ammeri | Agricultural and Biological Sciences | Editorial Board Member

Bone Marrow Transplant Center | Tunisia

Assist. Prof. Dr. Rim Werheni Ammeri is a specialist in soil and wastewater microbiology, with a research focus on bioremediation of polluted environments, particularly those contaminated with organochlorine pesticides. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (2017) from the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, conducted at the Laboratory of Treatment and Valorization of Water Discharges (LTVRH) and the Water Research and Technology Center (CERTE), Tunisia. Her academic formation is complemented by advanced training in molecular biology, microbial ecology, environmental biotechnology, and analytical techniques such as HPLC, phylogeny, sequencing, and proteomics. Dr. Werheni’s research investigates the microbial, biochemical, molecular, and physicochemical dynamics of contaminated soils and wastewater, with special emphasis on microbial community diversity and the effects of environmental stressors on bacteria and fungi. Her work integrates bioaugmentation, biostimulation, phytoremediation, and adsorption processes to develop innovative solutions for pollutant removal. She has significantly contributed to understanding the long- and short-term impacts of treated wastewater reuse in agriculture, particularly in arid regions, through detailed physico-chemical, microbiological, and molecular assessments. She has held key research positions, including a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Arid Lands Institute (Mednine, Tunisia) within the MEDISS project and scientific involvement in the internationally collaborative PEER program with the University of Texas. Her international exposure includes a research internship at the Soil Proteomics Laboratory in Naples, Italy, focused on bioremediation strategies for pesticide-contaminated forest soils. Dr. Werheni has authored more than 30 scientific publications in high-impact international journals such as Applied Soil Ecology, International Journal of Phytoremediation, Archives of Microbiology, and International Journal of Environmental Health Research. Her work is widely cited within the fields of environmental microbiology, bioremediation, and wastewater research, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices, environmental protection policies, and improved public health.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Werheni, R., Badi, S., Eturki, S., Ouesleti, M., Sadfi-Zouaoui, N., Benabderrahim, M. A., Hachicha, M., & Hassen, A. (2025). Phosphorus biostimulation and phytoremediation in wastewater treatment used for alfalfa plant irrigation. Water Reuse.

2. Werheni Ammeri, R., Hidri, Y., Ouesleti, M., Eturki, S., Sadfi-Zouaoui, N., & Hassen, A. (2025). Impact of phosphorus biofertilization on arid Tunisian soils irrigated with treated wastewater. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition.

3. Sallami, I., Werheni Ammeri, R., Turki-Ghodbane, Y., & Hassan, A. (2024). Application of a cocktail of three bacteriophages for the biocontrol of Salmonella in raw fresh milk. Preprint.

4. Werheni Ammeri, R., Eturki, S., Di Rauso Simeone, G., Ben Moussa, K., Hassen, W., Moussa, M., & Hassen, A. (2023). Effectiveness of combined tools: Adsorption, bioaugmentation and phytoremediation for pesticides removal from wastewater. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 25(??).

5. Werheni Ammeri, R., Kouki, S., Hassen, W., Oueslati, M., Sadfi-Zouaoui, N., & Hassen, A. (2023). Bioaugmentation and phytoremediation wastewater treatment process as a viable alternative for pesticides removal: Case of pentachlorophenol. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering.