Research Scientist at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait
Dr. Qadreyah Almatawah is an accomplished Research Scientist at the Biotechnology Program, Center for Environmental and Life Science Research at KISR. She holds a B.Sc. in Microbiology (1987) and an M.Sc. in Medical Microbiology (1992) from Kuwait University. She earned her Ph.D. in Microbial Biochemistry from University College London in 1999, specializing in the inducible nitrilase from thermophilic Bacillus. Since joining KISR in 1992, she has contributed to various research projects, focusing on microbial identification, molecular biology, and environmental microbiology. Dr. Almatawah has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and actively leads research on environmental pathogens and beneficial microorganisms for industrial use. She holds an h-index of 8 with 343 citations.
Publication profile:
📚 Academic Background:
Dr. Qadreyah Almatawah earned her B.Sc. in Microbiology from Kuwait University in 1987, followed by an MSc in Medical Microbiology in 1992, and a Ph.D. in Microbial Biochemistry from University College London in 1999. Her doctoral research focused on the “Inducible Nitrilase from a Thermophilic Bacillus.”
🔬 Research Expertise:
An expert in microbial identification and molecular biology, Dr. Almatawah has been at KISR since 1992, working on numerous projects related to microbial bioremediation, biosurfactants, and environmental monitoring. Her research includes identifying beneficial microorganisms for industrial use and studying pathogenic microorganisms in environmental samples.
📊 Key Projects:
- Development of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to improve desert soil fertility
- Monitoring and controlling Legionella in water systems
- Assessment of microbial pathogens in food and air quality in poultry houses
🏆 Research and Achievements:
- 245 citations by 206 documents.
- 6 h-index with 11 research papers published.
- Key published works on Legionella monitoring, biosurfactants, and microbial contamination.
- Led several notable projects such as the development of sulfur-based soil amendments and monitoring of foodborne pathogens.
Publication Top Notes:
- Monitoring foodborne pathogens of food served at an institutional cafeteria
Almatawah, Q., Al-Mutairi, S., Varghese, J.
Applied Food Research, 2024, 4(2), 100497.
- Microbiological contamination of indoor and outdoor environments in a desert climate
Almatawah, Q.A., Al-Rashidi, M.S., Yassin, M.F., Varghese, J.S.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2022, 194(5), 355.
- Legionella detection and subgrouping in water air-conditioning cooling tower systems in Kuwait
Al-Matawah, Q., Al-Zenki, S., Al-Azmi, A., Al-Salameen, F., Hejji, A.B.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2015, 22(13), pp. 10235–10241.
- Characterisation of quality and safety of tomatoes sold in the state of Kuwait
Al-Zenki, S.F., Al-Mazeedi, H.M., Al-Hooti, S.N., Alomirah, H.F., Sidhu, J.S.
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2008, 1(3), pp. 298–311.
- Quality and safety characteristics of milk sold in the state of Kuwait
Al-Zenki, S.F., Al-Mazeedi, H.M., Al-Hooti, S.N., Alomirah, H.F., Sidhu, J.S.
Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 2007, 31(6), pp. 702–713.
- Isolation and characterization of oil-desulphurizing bacteria
Guerinik, K., Al-Mutawah, Q.
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2003, 19(9), pp. 941–945.
- Thermostable nitrilase catalysed production of nicotinic acid from 3-cyanopyridine
Almatawah, Q.A., Cowan, D.A.
Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 1999, 25(8-9), pp. 718–724.
- Characterization of an inducible nitrilase from a thermophilic bacillus
Almatawah, Q.A., Cramp, R., Cowan, D.A.
Extremophiles, 1999, 3(4), pp. 283–291.
- The use of an arbitrarily primed PCR product for the specific detection of Brucella
AlMomin, S., Saleem, M., Al-Mutawa, Q.
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 1999, 15(3), pp. 381–385.
- Biochemistry and biotechnology of mesophilic and thermophilic nitrile metabolizing enzymes
Cowan, D., Cramp, R., Graham, R.P.D., Almatawah, Q.
Extremophiles, 1998, 2(3), pp. 207–216.