Hi everyone! I’m Sabrine Attia, originally from Tunisia, where my fascination with plant-insect interactions sparked my journey in entomology and sustainable pest management. I earned my Engineering Degree in Plant Protection from the National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia (INAT), followed by a Master’s focused on biological control and integrated pest management in citrus orchards. I completed my PhD at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, where I studied the chemical composition and efficacy of plant-based acaricides against the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).
After my PhD, I pursued postdoctoral research in Belgium and France (5 years), exploring topics such as the role of odors in attracting parasitoids and the effects of facultative endosymbionts on pea aphid (Acyrtosiphum pisum) fitness. These experiences strengthened my expertise in entomology, chemical ecology, and integrated pest management.
Back in Tunisia, I joined INAT as an Assistant Professor and later became an Associate Professor. I currently serve as Head of the Department of Plant Health and Environment (INAT, Tunisia)
As a Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the University of Georgia, I work in the laboratory of Shimat Villanessery Joseph, where my research focuses on: (1) role of potassium fertilization in managing Spodoptera frugiperda within an IPM framework, and (2) biology and management of two-spotted cotton leafhopper (Jassid) in ornamental nurseries.
My overarching goal is to develop pest management strategies that are sustainable, environmentally safe, and practical for growers, while minimizing impacts on non-target organisms. Outside the lab, I enjoy mentoring young scientists, exploring new cultures, and fostering knowledge-sharing to advance science-based agricultural solutions.
Email: Sabrine.Attia@uga.edu
