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• Haramaya university - Academia.edu
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• Autumn Graduation Honours For FABI
• FABIans Attend International Entomological Congress (ICE) In Orlando, USA
• FABIans Attend The 2017 Combined Congress Of The Entomological And Zoological Societies Of Southern Africa
• FABIans Celebrate PhD Degree With Mesfin Gossa And His Family
• TPCP Publication Celebration

Background

I obtained B.Sc. in Agriculture (Plant Sciences) from Alemaya University, Ethiopia and worked as a junior and assistant researcher for the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO). I did my M.Sc. in Insect Sciences at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. My thesis research was focused on evaluating the insecticidal activity of crude extracts from seeds and leaves of neem tree against African bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera. I then worked for Arba Minch University and Haramaya University as a lecturer where I taught entomology and crop protection courses to undergraduate cohorts. I also obtained M.Sc. in Nematology from Ghent University, Belgium. In my thesis research, I investigated the interaction between root-feeding plant-parasitic nematodes and shoot feeding aphids in a black mustard plant. I obtained Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Pretoria where I studied the species identity, genetic diversity, natural enemies and host utilization patterns of an invasive pine weevil in South Africa.

Current research

My postdoctoral research focuses on eucalypt insect pests and their natural enemies. Despite its significant socio-economic role, Eucalyptus production is heavily challenged by non-native and locally adapted insect pests throughout its introduced range. This includes many eucalypt-feeding insects that have been recently introduced in sub-Saharan Africa and pose a serious threat to the sustainability of Eucalyptus forestry in the region. To mitigate this, we developed Eucalyptus Insect Pest Project in Africa (EIPPA). In this project, we aim at understanding the presence, distribution, prevalence, genetic diversity and host utilization patterns of eucalypt insect pests and their natural enemies in sub-Saharan Africa. This is a collaborative project which involves various stakeholders across sub-Saharan Africa. Results from this project will be useful to inform management strategies of eucalypt insect pest in the region.