Mekonnen Yalemtsehay

Mekonnen is a Professor of Cell and Human Physiology in the Zoological Sciences Department, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. She has published extensively in several peer reviewed scientific journals on topics of respiratory physiology, medicinal plants and other related topics. She has advised many MSc and PhD students and has mentored young professionals, especially women, over the last four decades. She was involved in leadership positions and has initiated a number of national, continental and international research networks and collaborations. In 2013, she was able to establish with other colleagues the Society of Ethiopian Women in Science and Technology, to help empower and mentor women academicians and researchers in Ethiopia. Among numerous awards, in 2015 she received the African Union Kwame Nkrumah Regional Scientific Award for Women in Science. She was appointed as Ambassador Scientist by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation of Germany as part of a worldwide network for excellence (2016–2021). She is a founding member of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences and served the Academy as Principal V. President from 2019-2025.