Dr. Mohamed Khalil: Researcher at Agricultural Research Center, Egypt
Dr. Mohamed Salah Khalil is an accomplished Egyptian researcher and specialist in pesticide science, integrated pest management (IPM), and nematology with more than 18 years of experience in academic, laboratory, and field-based agricultural research. He currently holds the position of Researcher at the Central Agricultural Pesticides Laboratory (CAPL), part of the Agricultural Research Center (ARC) in Alexandria, Egypt. Dr. Khalil’s expertise bridges the gap between traditional pesticide evaluation and innovative eco-friendly pest control solutions, including natural products, nano-formulations, and microbial bio-agents. His interdisciplinary background also includes experience in toxicology, public health pest control, and environmental safety. Throughout his career, he has contributed to national and international research projects, supervised postgraduate students, and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals.
Online Profiles
As of the latest Scopus database update, Dr. Mohamed S. Khalil has authored 17 peer-reviewed publications, which have received a total of 213 citations from 190 unique documents. He holds an h-index of 8, indicating a solid research impact in the fields of pesticide science, plant pathology, and nematology. His Scopus Author ID is 55199617100, and he maintains a detailed research profile via ORCID at 0000-0002-1869-2055. His contributions reflect interdisciplinary engagement in chemical ecology, sustainable agriculture, and pest management innovation.
Education
Dr. Khalil earned his Ph.D. in Pesticides in 2018 from the Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba-Basha), Alexandria University, Egypt. His doctoral thesis focused on integrated management strategies against root-knot nematode in tomato crops, contributing significantly to the field of sustainable nematode control. He previously obtained his M.Sc. in 2009 from the same department, researching the interaction between nematicides and natural products in tomato protection. His academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Agricultural Science (Dry Land Farming) from Alexandria University in 2004, where he graduated with distinction and ranked with honors. His education laid a strong foundation in plant protection, crop science, and pest control.
Research Focus
Dr. Khalil’s research encompasses a wide spectrum of topics within plant protection, particularly focusing on the biological and chemical management of plant-parasitic nematodes, insect pests, and mites. His recent work involves the use of natural products such as essential oils, monoterpenes, chitosan, and nano-materials for eco-friendly pest control. He is also engaged in environmental toxicology studies related to pesticide residues and public health pests. His broader interests include the development of sustainable IPM strategies, environmental risk assessment, biopesticides, entomopathogenic nematodes, and the use of microbial and plant-derived compounds as alternatives to conventional pesticides. He also explores the pharmaceutical potential of certain plant extracts and algae.
Experience
Dr. Khalil’s professional journey spans over 18 years of progressive roles in agricultural research. He began as an Agronomist (2006–2013), then worked as an Agricultural Specialist (2013–2014), followed by his role as Assistant Researcher (2014–2019), and has served as a full-time Researcher since 2019 at CAPL. He is deeply involved in the evaluation of insecticides, nematicides, and acaricides for national registration, both under field and greenhouse conditions. He regularly conducts lab-based bioassays, nematode identification, and toxicological assessments. Dr. Khalil has also contributed as a trainer to local and international trainees, and participated in several governmental projects aimed at improving pest management across Egypt.
Research Timeline & Activities
Since joining the Agricultural Research Center, Dr. Khalil has contributed to multiple high-impact research projects targeting pest and disease control in strategic crops like citrus, banana, cotton, guava, and tomato. Between 2008 and 2025, he served on research teams evaluating chemical and biological pest control agents, including project #725 for fruit trees nematode management, and project #581 for cotton pests. He has managed field trials for genetically modified crops, led studies on pesticide residues and PHI (Pre-Harvest Intervals), and explored the environmental toxicity of new pesticides. His work often integrates chemical ecology, soil amendments, compost use, and environmental sustainability. He regularly delivers seminars, conducts workshops, and supervises laboratory studies involving pesticide assays and nano-technology applications in agriculture.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Khalil has received numerous certificates and accolades in recognition of his academic service, research contributions, and outreach. Notably, he was honored by the Agricultural Pesticides Committee (APC) as a certified trainer in pesticides application (2023), and by the Society of Toxicology (USA) as an external reviewer for their Best Publication Award (2022). He has been recognized by several academic journals for serving on editorial boards and peer-reviewing scientific manuscripts. In addition, Dr. Khalil received certificates of appreciation from both public health companies and academic institutions for his consultancy work, technical leadership, and participation in national awareness campaigns on pesticide safety and rodent control.
Top Noted Publication
Among Dr. Khalil’s impactful publications, his 2022 study titled “Physiological and morphological response of tomato plants to nano-chitosan used against bio-stress induced by root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and Tobacco mosaic tobamovirus (TMV)” stands out. Published in the European Journal of Plant Pathology, this work combines nanotechnology with plant pathology, demonstrating how nano-chitosan can offer a dual defense mechanism in crops under multiple stressors. The paper has gained significant academic attention and serves as a reference point for researchers exploring sustainable alternatives to chemical nematicides and antiviral agents in crop protection.
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Khalil, M. S., & Zen El-Dein, M. M. (2025). Assessing the efficacy of potassium silicate individually and in sequencing with nematicides for managing Meloidogyne sp. on Solanum lycopersicum: A suggested approach for sustainable agricultural practices. Pakistan Journal of Nematology, 43(2), 134–145. https://doi.org/10.17582/JOURNAL.PJN/2025/43.2.134.145
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Khalil, M. S., & Selim, R. (2024). The integration impact of fluopyram and oxamyl with Purpureocillium lilacinum on the management of Meloidogyne incognita and tomato growth. Egyptian Journal of Crop Protection. https://doi.org/10.21608/EJCP.2024.259483.1025
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Massoud, M. A., Saad, A. F. S. A., Khalil, M. S., Zakaria, M., & Selim, S. (2023). Comparative biological activity of abamectin formulations on root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) infecting cucumber plants: In vivo and in vitro. Scientific Reports, 13, Article 39324. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39324-x
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El-Sayyad, G. S., Elfadil, D., Gaballah, M. S., El-Sherif, D. M., Abouzid, M., Nada, H. G., Khalil, M. S., & Ghorab, M. A. (2023). Implication of nanotechnology to reduce the environmental risks of waste associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. RSC Advances, 13, 12438–12454. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RA01052J
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Ahmed, S. M., Selim, R. E., Khalil, M. S., & El-Zemity, S. R. (2023). Monoterpenoids and their synthesized brominated derivatives as eco-friendly measures to control some plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Asian Journal of Biological Sciences, 16(3), 264–274. https://doi.org/10.3923/ajbs.2023.264.274
Strengths for the Best Innovator Award
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Pioneering Research in Sustainable Pest Management
Dr. Khalil has developed innovative strategies that integrate eco-friendly materials such as nano-chitosan, potassium silicate, and essential oils with conventional pest control methods. His work emphasizes reducing chemical residues and promoting environmentally safe alternatives, positioning him at the forefront of sustainable agriculture innovation. -
Multidisciplinary Scientific Expertise
With over 18 years of experience across nematology, toxicology, pesticide evaluation, and public health pest control, Dr. Khalil has a broad yet integrated scientific perspective. His interdisciplinary knowledge allows him to connect fields like chemical ecology, nanotechnology, and plant pathology, driving innovative solutions to complex agricultural problems. -
Proven Impact Through Research & Publications
Dr. Khalil has published impactful articles in high-ranking international journals, including Scientific Reports, RSC Advances, and the European Journal of Plant Pathology. With 17 publications, 213 citations, and an h-index of 8, his work is well-cited and widely referenced in the scientific community, reflecting his contributions to knowledge advancement and applied innovation. -
Leadership in Technology Transfer & Field Application
Beyond academic research, Dr. Khalil is actively engaged in field trials, regulatory testing, and pesticide registration processes for Egypt’s agricultural sector. His ability to translate laboratory innovations into practical field applications demonstrates a commitment to bridging science and practice, directly benefiting farmers and agricultural stakeholders. -
Recognition, Mentorship & Capacity Building
Dr. Khalil has trained national and international researchers, supervised postgraduate students, and participated in capacity-building workshops. His recognition as a certified pesticide trainer, combined with honors from scientific societies and public institutions, highlights his role as a mentor, educator, and leader in fostering the next generation of innovators.