Maitre Assistant à université AlBaha , Tunisia.
Dr. Naima Mohamed Benmakhlouf is a Tunisian physicist with deep expertise in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. She earned her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Tunis El Manar, where she studied the hydro-thermo-mechanical behavior of porous materials during drying processes. Fluent in Arabic, French, and English, she has held teaching roles in Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, most recently as an Assistant Professor at Al-Baha University. Known for her academic rigor and administrative leadership, she has supervised physics departments, contributed to quality committees, and engaged in collaborative international research. Dr. Benmakhlouf’s dedication to science, education, and applied research make her a valuable asset in both academia and global scientific communities.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Benmakhlouf holds a Ph.D. in Physics (2016) from the Faculty of Science of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, with a specialization in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Her doctoral research explored the drying dynamics of porous materials like leather using experimental and numerical modeling. She also earned a Master’s degree (2012) in the Physics of Fluids and Transfers and a Bachelor’s in Physical and Chemical Sciences (2009) from the same university. Her academic background is further enriched with diplomas in materials science and experimental sciences. She has participated in advanced research internships in France and Spain, gaining valuable international research experience, especially in thermal and water characterization of innovative materials.
Professional Experience
Dr. Benmakhlouf has held academic positions since 2009, starting with tutorial courses in physics at various Tunisian institutions. Between 2013 and 2016, she taught at Bouebdelli University before transitioning to Al-Baha University in Saudi Arabia as an Assistant Professor (2017–2020). There, she supervised the Girls’ Physics Department and contributed to quality and learning resources committees. She has also served as a reviewer for journals such as Food and Bioproducts Processing. Beyond teaching, she participated in several training programs and collaborative research initiatives, notably in France and Spain, focusing on innovative composite materials and convective drying processes. Her multidisciplinary skills span teaching, scientific research, administrative duties, and collaborative project management.
Research Interests
Dr. Naima Benmakhlouf’s research centers on the hydro-thermo-mechanical behavior of porous materials, particularly during drying processes. She integrates experimental techniques and numerical simulations to analyze heat and mass transfer, contributing to advancements in sustainable materials processing and thermal system modeling. Her recent work includes photovoltaic pumping systems, microwave drying of food materials, and viscoelastic modeling of leather. She collaborates internationally on the characterization of composite materials and smart energy solutions. Her interdisciplinary expertise connects physics, material science, environmental sustainability, and process intensification—bridging theoretical understanding and real-world applications. Through her research, Dr. Benmakhlouf contributes to energy efficiency, eco-friendly drying technologies, and the scientific community’s knowledge of fluid-structure interactions.
Awards and Honors
While specific named awards are not listed, Dr. Benmakhlouf has consistently achieved academic recognition, including a “very honorable” distinction for her Ph.D. and “very good” for her Master’s degree. She has been invited for international internships, such as at the University of Picardie Jules Verne in France and the Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena in Spain—opportunities typically reserved for outstanding researchers. Additionally, her role as a journal reviewer and department head at Al-Baha University signifies peer recognition and leadership trust. Her research publications in top-tier journals like Comptes Rendus Mécanique and Arabian Journal of Chemistry underline her scholarly impact and the quality of her scientific contributions.
Conclusion
Dr. Naima Benmakhlouf is a strong candidate for a mid-career research excellence award, particularly in applied physics or interdisciplinary engineering. Her work bridges fundamental physics with real-world applications (leather drying, renewable systems), and she is making steady contributions across research, teaching, and academic service.
However, for highly competitive “Best Researcher Awards” at national or international levels, it is recommended that she:
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Increases publication frequency in Q1 journals
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Seeks research grants or consortium roles
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Supervises postgraduate research students
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Expands collaborations and international visibility
➡️ Recommendation: Suitable for institutional or regional best researcher awards, with potential to reach national/international levels with continued research development and broader dissemination.
Publications Top Notes
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Azzouz, S., Hermassi, I., Toujani, M., & Belghith, A. (2016). Effect of drying temperature on the rheological characteristics of dried seedless grapes. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 100, 246–254.
📑 Citations: 19
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Benmakhlouf, N., Azzouz, S., Monzó-Cabrera, J., Khdhira, H., & ElCafsi, A. (2017). Controlling mechanisms of moisture diffusion in convective drying of leather. Heat and Mass Transfer, 53, 1237–1245.
📑 Citations: 18
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Benmakhlouf, N., Azzouz, S., Khedhira, H., & ElCafsi, A. (2016). Moisture sorption isotherms of leather. Journal of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists, 100(2), 77–83.
📑 Citations: 8
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Benmakhlouf, N., Azzouz, S., & El Cafsi, A. (2018). Experimental and mathematical investigation of parameters drying of leather by hot air. Heat and Mass Transfer, 54, 3695–3705.
📑 Citations: 7
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Benmakhlouf, N., Azzouz, S., & ElCafsi, A. (2020). The determination of isosteric heats of sorption of leather: Experimental and mathematical investigations. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 13(2), 4286–4293.
📑 Citations: 5
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Azzouz, S., Benmakhlouf, N., Toumi, A., Khedhira, H., & ElCafsi, A. (2017). Study of the mechanical characteristics of dried leather. Journal of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists, 101(5), 253–259.
📑 Citations: 5
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Benmakhlouf, N., Azzouz, S., Hassini, L., & El Cafsi, A. (2021). 2D model simulating the hydro-rheological behavior of leather during convective drying. Comptes Rendus Mécanique, 349(2), 305–322.
📑 Citations: 1
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Benmakhlouf, N. (2025). Blood flow dynamics and vascular fluid mechanics. Physics of Fluids, 37(1).
📑 Citations: N/A (newly published)