Ethiopian Fellows

[cbox title=”Benyam Dubale” image=”282″]My name is Benyam Worku Dubale. I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and still live and work in my hometown. I received my MD from Jimma University in Jimma, Ethiopia and went on to specialize in Psychiatry at Addis Ababa University (AAU). Currently, I am an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and the Deputy Head of the Department of Psychiatry at AAU. I have been involved in various research activities, including mental health integration in primary care, medical education and catatonia. Clinically I work with individuals with psychological trauma. I am also working on a research proposal focusing on the long term medical effects of childhood trauma. In five years, I see myself working on an ambitious project focusing on the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of trauma in an African population. Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife, reading books and watching soccer.[/cbox]

[cbox title=”Abebe Hailu” image=”284″]I am originally from Sekota, Ethiopia and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharma) with very great distinction, at Mekelle University in Mekelle, Ethiopia. I received my Master degree in Pharmacology from Addis Ababa University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Currently, I am staff member and PhD Student in Pharmacology at Addis Ababa University. My research interests include evaluating the clinical outcome of currently used drugs and understanding the mechanisms and development of novel drugs for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. I am very much interested in the pharmacogenetics of drugs that are used for the treatment of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric diseases. Currently, I am about to start my PhD thesis in genetic variants associated with response and adverse effects to mood stabilizer treatment in bipolar patients at St. Amanuel Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In five years I hope to finish my PhD program and to be one of the pharmacogenetics experts in neuropsychiatric areas. I also hope to run different research activities on the area of pharmacogenetics of neuropsychiatric diseases. In my spare time, I like to play foot- ball and read.[/cbox]

[cbox title=”Melkam Kebede” image=”286″]I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I received my bachelor degree in medical laboratory science from Addis Ababa University and received my Master of General Public Health from Haramaya University. I have got a deep rooted passion for research, especially clinical trials and am particularly interested in the genetic components of psychiatric disorders. For the past two and a half years, I have and continue to work on a double blind, randomized and placebo controlled drug trial that includes 200 treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients in order to examine the efficacy of a four-month trial of folate supplementation with B12. In five years, I hope to be an independent researcher with sharp project management and writing skills. Whenever I am not working, I savor moments with close friends and watching movies[/cbox]

[cbox title=”Abigiya Tilahun” image=”287″]I was born and raised in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. I received my BSc degree in Public health from Mada Walabu University, Ethiopia and my Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. My research interest is in mental health epidemiology, particularly within genetics. I am highly motived to increase my knowledge in this area and to continue to develop my profession so that I can share knowledge with the next generation through publications, presentations and seminars. I am currently working on a project entitled “Depression and psycho social therapy among breast cancer patients in Addis Ababa Ethiopia” and I also plan to conduct research on the “effect of psychosocial therapy on breast cancer survival”. In the near future, I would like to conduct research on genetic risk factors of common mental disorders in Ethiopia and contribute to this body of evidence. I enjoy listening to spiritual songs and watching funny movies in my free time.[/cbox]