Dr. Hicham Fatnassi, INRAE, France.
Dr. Hicham Fatnassi is a distinguished environmental physicist and senior agricultural engineer renowned for his pioneering contributions to smart greenhouse systems and sustainable horticulture. Based at INRAE PACA Research Center in France, he brings over two decades of international experience in optimizing protected agriculture. Dr. Fatnassi has advanced the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to model microclimates and ventilation strategies in greenhouses, enhancing their productivity and resilience. His collaborative projects span France, the UAE, and North Africa, bridging agricultural science with environmental engineering. He is widely published in high-impact journals and remains at the forefront of climate-smart agriculture, food security, and environmental control. 🌱📊
👤 Profile
Scopus
🎓 Education
Dr. Fatnassi earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Physics with a specialization in greenhouse climate characterization and modeling. His doctoral work was jointly supervised by INRAE Avignon, France, and Ibn Zohr University, Morocco, exemplifying international academic collaboration. During his Ph.D., he developed sophisticated models for understanding the physical dynamics of greenhouse environments, laying the groundwork for his future breakthroughs in agricultural engineering. This interdisciplinary training empowered him to integrate physical sciences with applied horticultural innovation. His academic foundation supports his continued innovation in low-energy, sustainable agricultural practices. 📘🧪
👨🔬 Experience
Currently serving as a Doctor Engineer at INRAE (2024–Present), Dr. Fatnassi also worked as a Senior Horticulture Scientist at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai (2021–2023). Prior to this, he spent nearly two decades (2002–2020) at INRAE, France, developing advanced greenhouse systems. Across these roles, he has led projects on solar-integrated greenhouses, pest management models, and adaptive climate systems. His work enables growers in arid and semi-arid regions to harness cutting-edge technologies for climate-resilient agriculture. His roles demonstrate both scientific depth and global perspective. 🌐🧑🏫
🔬 Research Interests
Dr. Fatnassi’s research centers on greenhouse climate control, CFD modeling, solar energy integration, and sustainable agriculture. He is particularly interested in the interaction between microclimates and crop health, and in leveraging energy-efficient systems to reduce agricultural footprints. His work contributes to Integrated Pest Management (IPM), climate-smart horticulture, and the use of predictive analytics in controlled-environment agriculture. He actively collaborates across disciplines—physics, agronomy, environmental science—to build robust models for eco-efficient crop production. 🌞🍅💡
🏆 Awards & Distinctions
While Dr. Fatnassi’s awards are not explicitly listed, his selection as a senior researcher at INRAE, a globally respected institute, and his role at ICBA reflect his scientific reputation and leadership. His research has influenced policy, greenhouse technology standards, and has earned citations in prestigious journals. Given his impact, he is a strong contender for awards in agricultural innovation, environmental engineering, and sustainable development. 🥇📚
📚 Publication Top Notes
Greenhouse cooling systems: A systematic review of research trends, challenges, and recommendations for improving sustainability
Transforming agriculture for a changing climate: harnessing precision technologies in controlled environment agriculture systems to enhance food security in arid and semi-arid zones
Greenhouse vegetable production from the point of view of climate change
Considering plant activities in greenhouse climate models using computational fluid dynamics: current achievements and future perspectives
Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the effect of the interaction between the airflow of two naturally ventilated neighboring greenhouses on the microclimate