Researcher, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Dr. Sondes Ben Aissa is a multidisciplinary biosensors scientist with a PhD in Analytical Chemistry and an engineering background in industrial chemistry. She specializes in the development of oligonucleotide-based sensors—particularly aptamer-based devices—for detecting clinically and environmentally relevant targets. With over eight years of research experience spanning France, Tunisia, Italy, and the UK, Dr. Ben Aissa is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Imperial College London, leading biosensor development for hormone monitoring under BBSRC-funded projects. Her work integrates electrochemistry, nanotechnology, and in silico modeling to deliver advanced point-of-care and environmental sensing solutions. She has published eight peer-reviewed articles, delivered numerous scientific presentations, and received several innovation and communication awards. Dr. Ben Aissa is known for her strong analytical mindset, project leadership, and scientific creativity, making her a rising figure in the field of bioanalytical chemistry and sensor engineering.
Professional Profile
🎓 Education
Dr. Sondes Ben Aissa holds a cotutelle PhD (2016–2020) in Analytical Chemistry from University of Perpignan Via Domitia (France) and University of Tunis El Manar (Tunisia). Her thesis focused on designing nanometric aptasensors for detecting low-molecular-weight food and environmental contaminants such as mycotoxins and antibiotics. Before her PhD, she earned an Engineering Diploma in Industrial Chemistry from the National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (INSAT), Tunisia in 2016, graduating first in her class. Her curriculum included a final internship on quantitative risk assessment in gas treatment plants. She also completed a Preparatory Curriculum in Applied Chemistry-Biology (2011–2013) at INSAT, again ranking first among 109 peers. In addition to academic training, she participated in specialized short-term internships in standardized environmental analysis and water treatment. Her education is marked by academic excellence, interdisciplinary strength, and early hands-on research exposure.
💼 Experience
Dr. Ben Aissa is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (2023–Present) at Imperial College London, where she leads a BBSRC-funded project on wearable biosensors for real-time hormone detection. Previously, she held a similar role (2022–2023) in Imperial’s Chemistry Department, working on cortisol aptamer biosensors with microdialysis integration. From 2021–2022, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Udine, Italy, developing electrochemical biosensors for seawater pollution monitoring under the European AdSWim project. Her earlier experiences include R&D engineering and biosensor modeling at UPVD, France, and short-term chemical analysis projects. She also worked as an Assistant Teaching Trainer at INSAT, Tunisia. Her professional journey highlights hands-on skills in sensor design, computational chemistry, and international collaborations. She has also been awarded for entrepreneurial innovation and communication, further showcasing her leadership and multidisciplinary capabilities in both academic and applied R&D settings.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Sondes Ben Aissa’s research focuses on the design and development of electrochemical and optical biosensors using oligonucleotide-based recognition elements such as aptamers and dsDNA. Her work integrates surface chemistry, nanomaterials, and microfluidic technologies to create portable, sensitive, and selective point-of-care diagnostics. She is particularly interested in monitoring biomarkers like hormones (e.g., cortisol, LH) and detecting environmental toxins (e.g., mycotoxins, antibiotics, PCBs). Her research combines in silico modeling—such as molecular docking and dynamics simulations—with experimental techniques including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, differential pulse voltammetry, and fluorescence-based assays. She also specializes in miniaturization, analytical validation, and real-time sensing. Through collaborations across France, Italy, Tunisia, and the UK, she has contributed to EU-funded and BBSRC-funded initiatives. Her aim is to bridge bioanalytical chemistry and healthcare/environmental monitoring, enabling the development of next-generation sensing platforms for both clinical and industrial applications.
📚 Publication Top Notes
1. Systematic optimisation of an integrated electrochemical aptamer-based sensor for cortisol detection
Journal: Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical
Date: Dec 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2025.138284
Authors: Sondes Ben Aissa; Anthony Edward George Cass
Summary: This study presents a highly sensitive aptamer-based biosensor for cortisol detection, optimized for integration with microdialysis. It demonstrates robust performance in continuous, real-time hormone monitoring.
2. POM@PMO plastic electrode for phosphate electrochemical detection: a further improvement of the detection limit
Journal: Microchimica Acta
Date: April 2023
DOI: 10.1007/s00604-023-05679-1
Authors: Sondes Ben-Aissa; Rossella De Marco; Sabina Susmel
Summary: Describes an advanced electrochemical platform using POM@PMO-modified electrodes for detecting phosphate in aquatic systems, achieving improved sensitivity suitable for environmental monitoring.
3. Advances in Colorimetric Strategies for Mycotoxins Detection: Toward Rapid Industrial Monitoring
Journal: Toxins
Date: December 2020
DOI: 10.3390/toxins13010013
Authors: Marjan Majdinasab; Sondes Ben Aissa; Jean Louis Marty
Summary: A review covering modern colorimetric strategies for mycotoxin detection, with an emphasis on ease of use and application in industrial food safety monitoring.
4. Investigation of a Truncated Aptamer for Ofloxacin Detection Using a Rapid FRET-Based Apta-Assay
Journal: Antibiotics
Date: December 2020
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9120860
Authors: Sondes Ben Aissa; Mohamed Mastouri; Gaëlle Catanante; Noureddine Raouafi; Jean Louis Marty
Summary: Introduces a fluorescence-based aptamer assay using truncated aptamers for rapid detection of the antibiotic ofloxacin, offering a fast, label-free alternative.
5. Aptamer-modified pencil graphite electrodes for the impedimetric determination of ochratoxin A
Journal: Food Control
Date: September 2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107271
Authors: Sondes Ben Aissa
Summary: This study presents an impedimetric sensor using aptamer-functionalized pencil graphite electrodes for detecting ochratoxin A in food matrices, showing good sensitivity and cost-effectiveness.
6. Design of a redox-active surface for ultrasensitive redox capacitive aptasensing of aflatoxin M1 in milk
Journal: Talanta
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.11.026
Authors: Ben Aissa, S.; Mars, A.; Catanante, G.; Marty, J.-L.; Raouafi, N.
Summary: Describes a novel capacitive aptasensor based on redox-active surfaces for detecting aflatoxin M1 in milk, achieving ultra-low detection limits.
7. Development of an Impedimetric Aptasensor for Label-Free Detection of Patulin in Apple Juice
Journal: Molecules
Date: March 2019
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061017
Authors: Reem Khan; Sondes Ben Aissa; Tauqir A. Sherazi; Gaelle Catanante; Akhtar Hayat; Jean Louis Marty
Summary: Focuses on an aptamer-based label-free impedimetric sensor for patulin detection in apple juice, designed for industrial food safety applications.
🏁 Conclusion
Dr. Sondes Ben Aissa is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award, especially in the fields of biosensors, analytical chemistry, and bioengineering. Her work demonstrates innovation, international collaboration, technical sophistication, and a consistent record of scientific excellence. With further steps in citation impact, independent research leadership, and technology transfer, she is poised for even higher recognition in her field.