Research - Dr. Alexandre Zoumman

Research topics

01Genetics, biotechnology and microbiology
02Plant–microorganism interaction
03Nature-based solution: biofertilisers built on beneficial indigenous micro-organisms (BIM)
04Countering abiotic stress (drought and soil salinisation)
05Restoration of degraded soils and climate resilience

Dec. 2022 → June 2026

Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) - hosted at LEMSAT / LMI IESol, IRD–ISRA Bel-Air campus, Dakar

Designed and ran two-stage greenhouse and field trials on salt-stress adaptation in tomato, from land preparation and planting through harvest and data analysis.
Produced and characterized 15 fermented forest-litter bioproducts from litter and crop residues collected across three agroecological zones of Senegal, including on-site soil and substrate sampling.
Recorded and organized trial data (growth, chlorophyll, biomass, root architecture) and produced site maps and figures using QGIS, Python and R.

Oct. 2020 → Dec. 2022

CIRAD - French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development, Dakar

Designed research protocols, planned experimental trials and ran laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments as part of the molecular component of projects on tropical soils and agroecosystems.
Led research on nature-based solutions (MAB bioproducts) supporting crop adaptation to soil salinization, including field-level monitoring of plant response.
Collected and analysed field data, authored activity reports, and contributed to scientific publications and presentations.
Contributed to several field-based projects on microbial bioproducts: ACEPT MABs, VALID MABs and FSPI AGRECOCARIBE.

Jan. 2019 → Oct. 2020

IRD - French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Dakar

Contributed to the development of field and laboratory research protocols within the ANR SymEffectors project.
Conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments on legume–rhizobacteria symbiosis; analyzed and interpreted resulting data.