Tunisian researcher Emna Harigua has received Tunisia’s 2025 Best Female Scientific Achievement Prize for her pioneering work in artificial intelligence–driven drug discovery.
Awarded by the Ministry of Family, Women, Children and Seniors on National Women’s Day (August 13), the prize celebrates Harigua’s leadership in advancing AI applications in health research.
A scientist at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Harigua heads the BIND project (Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence for Infectious Diseases), part of the Global South AI for Pandemic and Epidemic Preparedness and Response Network, supported by IDRC and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Her research focuses on neglected tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis and malaria, integrating bioinformatics, AI, and experimental validation to speed up drug discovery and cut costs. The project has already yielded nine potential anti-Leishmania drug candidates, three of which are undergoing pre-clinical validation. The team also launched CidalsDB, an open-access AI platform for drug identification, contributing to global efforts in open science.
“This award is not just a personal milestone — it’s a recognition of the potential of African-led science to tackle global health challenges,” Harigua said.
Beyond her research, Harigua advocates for building Africa’s expertise in computer-aided drug discovery, ensuring that emerging technologies address the health needs of African communities. Her work, presented recently at an International Science Council workshop in Nairobi, reflects a vision where innovation, collaboration, and inclusion drive the future of medical research.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Editorial Staff)
