Rate My Professor Alaa Nayyef

Dr. Alaa Nayyef is a Lecturer in the School of Molecular and Life Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Curtin University in Perth, Australia. Her office is located in Building 303, the Vin Davies Building, with a contact telephone number of 08 9266 5235. Nayyef earned her Master's Degree in Agriculture from the University of Baghdad between 2005 and 2008. She subsequently served as a Lecturer at the College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad, from September 2009 to October 2013. In July 2014, she commenced her PhD candidature at Curtin University in the School of Molecular and Life Sciences, specializing in Environmental Science with a focus on seed biology and ecology, particularly flora conservation. Her doctoral thesis, titled "Conservation of Arid Plants through Improved Understanding of Seed Biology as a Means of Enhancing the Functionality of Botanic Gardens," was conducted in association with Kings Park Botanic Gardens in Perth. Since October 2018, she has held the position of Sessional Academic in Environment and Agriculture at Curtin University. In a recent promotion, she advanced to the role of Lecturer, acknowledging her dedicated contributions to teaching and research.

Nayyef's primary research interests lie in seed biology and ecology, contributing to the conservation of arid zone flora and the enhanced functionality of botanic gardens. Her work supports agricultural and environmental initiatives at Curtin University. She has collaborated on research projects, including assistance in a 2025 study published in HortTechnology on the use of Australian native Solanum symonii as rootstock for tomato and eggplant production. As a member of the F3AST team, she participated in efforts recognized by the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture. Nayyef has also been involved in conference presentations alongside colleagues such as Stacey Carter, Jacob Hawkins, and Sarita Bennett. Her Google Scholar profile, verified with her Curtin email, highlights her focus on seed biology and ecology. Through her academic career, Nayyef bridges teaching in molecular and life sciences with practical applications in plant conservation and agriculture.