Department of Plant Science
Highlights of the Department
The Department of Plant Sciences nurtured generations of agronomists, researchers, and extension experts through its comprehensive teaching, research, and outreach agenda.
Training & Specializations
Students pursued majors across Agronomy, Crop Protection, Forestry, Horticulture, and Soil Science—five functional sections designed to meet Ethiopia’s agricultural priorities. Postgraduate programs in Agronomy, Crop Protection, and Horticulture had been operating for seven years by the mid-1980s, producing graduates ready to serve as farm managers, researchers, instructors, and extension professionals.
Research Contributions
Departmental research addressed crop productivity, soil fertility, seed systems, and pest management. Highlights included cereal crop trials in Agronomy, herbarium curation, soil analysis and mapping, potato breeding in Horticulture, and agro-forestry experiments within Forestry. Crop Protection teams focused on diseases and insect pests that constrained national yields.
Community Impact
Seed dissemination, soil and water conservation studies, and farmer outreach programs brought tangible benefits to surrounding communities. The Class of 1985 helped advance these initiatives, ensuring that Alemayan’s research translated into improved food security and livelihoods.
Table of Students and Their Current Positions
Department Course Catalog
Students – Photos and Profiles
56 Students - Plant Science Class of 1985
Abdishekur Wondimu
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Aderajew Hadis
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Afendi A.
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Afework H.
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Agonafir A.
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Akalekirstos Tadesse
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Aklilu Tadesse
Joined CIP in 1985, and assigned at one of the major coffee producing areas, and later on was transferred to various project areas. By the end of 1994, I joined an organization named as Agri-Service Ethiopia (ASE), and stayed there for about 12 years. Lastly, I served TechnoServe Ethiopia (TNS). I joined TNS in 2010 and was assigned in Jimma at the capacity of Field Manager. Presently, I am at retirement age, live in Yeka Abado/Addis Abeba
Almaz N.
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Asegedech Gonfa
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Assefa Teferi
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Ayele G.M.
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Ayele Sileshi
Agricultural development professional with 20+ years driving rural transformation projects across Ethiopia. Skilled in irrigation, water resource management, sustainable farming practices, and scaling initiatives that empower smallholder farmers, youth, and women. Passionate about linking technology, markets, and capacity building to create lasting impact in rural communities.
Balcha Y.
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Birtukan Shitaye
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Dagnew Menan
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Ebrahim A.
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Elias Zerfu
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Endale B.
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Fekadu Shifeta
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Gashaw Mitike
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Gidey K.
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Girma Adera
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Girma Yosef
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Habtamu S.
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Hailu D.
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Jemal Ahmed
Served in leadership, technical, and advisory roles in both government and international organizations. He spent eight years at the Ministry of Agriculture and over three decades (31 years) with ActionAid International, where he rose through ten progressively senior positions across Africa and Asia.
Kiros Meles
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Lemma Abiyu
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Lemma Mitiku
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Likissa Birru
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Mekuria Badkero
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Melaku Ayele
Principal Scientist, Molecular Breeding/Genetics
International Institute of Tropical Agric since 2007; Research Associate at Georgetown University Medical Center 2002-2006; SAIC Frederick, Maryland USA (2006-2007); Postdoc at IITA as cassava geneticist (1999-2001); Center Manager and Research Officer at Pawe Research Center 1985-1989.
Million Eshete
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Mohammed Dawd
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Mohammed Said
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Mossisa Worku
Served for over 36 years in agricultural research and contributed in the development and dissemination of impactful maize technologies; a national maize research coordinator of Ethiopia and Bako federal national maize research center (2001 to 2002 and 2006-2011) and maize breeder (1985-2012) at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. In addition, he worked as a maize seed system specialist while he was working at CIMMYT’s Global Maize Program based in Nairobi, Kenya (2012-2021).
Mukhtar Abduke
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Mukhtar Hassen
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Mulu Ayele
Founder and CEO of HealthMed and FarmBizz AI/Analytics; Various senior research and leadership positions at Invitae/Labcorp Diagnostics, DuPont Pioneer, GSK, Roche/Genentech, The Institute for Genomic Research (Craig Venter Institute), Metabolon, and other organizations across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He holds three global patents, has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications — including several in Nature — and contributed thousands of GenBank submissions advancing genomic science.
Mussie Zerzghi
After graduation, I began work at Pawe Research Center, Metekel. After two years of service, I got the opportunity to go abroad for short-term training. After completing the training, I moved to the US to settle. In 1994, I graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently working as an IT analyst for the US government.
Nigusie Tadesse
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Sisay A.
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Solomon Abebe
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Tariku B.
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Teferra Garedew
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Teshome Afrassa
Founder and Manager of Water Resource and Integrated Rural development consulting firm; Expert at the government Ministry of Water and Energy Authority 1985-2002; Involved in several Policies and planning dialogues as private stakeholder; Proactively involved and organized Great Renaissance Dam public (GERD) mobilization and consultation groups.
Tesfaye A.
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Wesenyelewem M.
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Woldeyesus Sinebo
Senior Programme Officer for agricultural biosafety and Office Coordinator at the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD from April 2013 – June 2025; Director of Crops Research at the Southern Agricultural Research Institute in Hawassa from November 2010 to March 2013; Researcher at EIAR (1986 – 2010) at research centers in Abobo and Holetta, and at the EIAR Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Wondifraw Teferra
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Worku M.
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Yeshitla Mengist
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Yilfashewa Shiferaw
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Yishak Baroda
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Zealbowossen Asfaw
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Zerihun Tadele
Professor, Group Leader of Crop Breeding and Genomics Section at the Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland. He is also Affiliated Scientist of the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) and Adjunct Professor of Bahir Dar University. Website
Sewnet Getaneh
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Tesfaye Daba
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Iconic Moments
Alem85 group pics
A memorable group photo capturing the spirit and unity of the Class of 1985.
Alem85 in Cafeteria
Sharing meals and conversations in the cafeteria, building lifelong friendships.
Alem85 in the library
Dedicated study sessions in the library, pursuing knowledge and excellence.
Alem85 games
Competitive spirit and camaraderie on display during athletic events.
The Soccer Champions 1985
Victory and celebration as champions of the 1985 soccer tournament.
Alem85 field
Memories made on the field, where teamwork and determination were forged.