15th P2P Global Ethiopian Diaspora Conference on Empowering Women: Oct 21st, 2023 – Speakers and Panelists
Enawgaw Mehari, MD
President/Founder, P2P
Dr. Enawgaw Mehari has a distinguished reputation for leadership in healthcare, most notably as founder and president of People to People, Inc., which has been in existence for approximately twenty-five years. He is also internationally recognized as an expert in neurology, pain management, and Neuro-AIDs. He earned his medical degree from Comenius University in Czechoslovakia, completed his neurology residency at the University of Kentucky, finished his fellowship in pain management and neurophysiology at Case Western University in Cleveland, and completed a fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, in Neuro-AIDs. Enawgaw has published in refereed journals, book chapters, Triangular Partnership the power of the diaspora ( book ), Introduction to Clinical Neurology and Manual of Ethiopian Medical History. Dr. Mehari through his p2p leadership has been instrumental in the establishment of Neurology residency program, Emergency Medicine Residency program at Black Lion Hospital, and Social Work Master /PhD program at AAU. In 2005, He founded the People's’ Free Clinic in Morehead, Kentucky, to provide free healthcare for the working poor. In 2006, Dr. Mehari won a distinguished service award from the Society of Ethiopians Established in the Diaspora (SEED), and in 2007, he was nominated as a CNN Hero— awarded by the cable network to everyday people around the globe who have made a major impact in the world. In addition, he was awarded a Humanitarian Award by the Black Hall of Fame, and the 2010 Patient Advocate award by the American Academy of Neurology. He has been granted the highest commendation by the Kentucky Governor’s office, Senate of the State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He has been commended by the US House of Congress and was awarded the Abebe Bikila Award by Bikila Organization for his working community service. Dr. Mehari is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry, a diplomate of Neurology, Inc., and a member of the American Board of Medical Specialties. He is an adjunct Clinical Professor of Neurology at Meharry School of Medicine, PikeVille University, AAU and Bahir Dar University. His other engagements include chairman of the diaspora health care and higher education advisory council, and founding member and board director for both ARTS TV and Arif Pay Financial Institute.
Kebede H. Begna, M.D., Msc.
Executive Vice President, P2P
Dr. Kebede H. Begna an associate professor and consultant hematologist, practicing at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He received his medical degree from Gondar University in Ethiopia. He finished internal medicine residency at St. Vincent Medical College, an affiliate of New York Medical College, where he was the Chief Resident. He completed hematology and medical oncology fellowship and obtained master’s in clinical research at the University of Minnesota, and later joined the Mayo Clinic, Division of Hematology in Rochester, Minnesota. He authored and co-authored many publications and book chapter. He was on the board of Ethio-American Doctors Group, Inc. Currently serve as Vice-president of Medical education of P2P, co-director of Global bridges Oncology at the Mayo Clinic
Senait Fisseha, MD, JD
Professor Senait Fisseha is a globally-recognized leader in reproductive health & rights and a lifelong gender champion. She currently serves as the Director of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, as well as Chief Advisor to the Director General of the World Health Organization. A reproductive endocrinology specialist, prior to these roles, Professor Fisseha was the Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the University of Michigan, Medical Director of the University of Michigan’s Center for Reproductive Medicine and founding Executive Director of the Center for International Reproductive Health Training (CIRHT). While at Michigan, she also co-directed the Medical School’s Path of Excellence in Global Health & Disparities. Professor Fisseha was born in Ethiopia and earned an undergraduate degree from Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois, M.D. and J.D. degrees from Southern Illinois University, and a certificate in International Human Rights and Comparative Law from the University of Oxford. She has received numerous awards including the Ethiopian Ministry of Health’s highest award, the University of Michigan’s Bicentennial Alumni Award, and the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She was also named as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans for 2018 by New African magazine and one of the 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy in 2019.
H.E. Dr. Liya Tadesse
Minister of Health, FDRE
Dr. Lia Tadesse Gebremedhin became the Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in March 2020. Prior to this appointment, she served as State Minister of Health since November 2018, leading the national health programs under the Health Sector Transformation Strategy. Dr. Lia is an obstetrician and gynecologist with extensive experience as a clinician, in health care leadership, academia, and hospital and program management, with over 20 years' experience. Prior to joining the ministry of health, Dr. Lia Tadesse served as Program Director at the University of Michigan's Center for International Reproductive Health Training (CIRHT) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she has successfully partnered with several institutions, in both Ethiopia and Rwanda, to increase the quality of reproductive health services and training. Serving as the CEO and Vice Provost of St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) in Addis Ababa for seven years, Dr Lia led the hospital's services and academic reforms, including forging collaborative relationships with several national and international stakeholders. Dr. Lia was also Project Director of USAID's Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) at Jhpiego-Ethiopia prior to joining CIRHT after leaving SPHMMC. Dr. Lia's passion is strengthening and reforming health systems, and she has received recognition for her accomplishments and advocacy for gender equity in access to quality health services and training. Dr. Lia Tadesse earned her medical degree from Jimma University, specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology from Addis Ababa University, and a master's degree in health care administration from Jimma University
Anteneh Habte, MD
Dr. Anteneh Habte is the Chairman of People to People’s (P2P) Board of Directors. He is Section Chief in the Geriatrics & Long-Term Care Department at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV and clinical faculty at both the West Virginia School of Medicine and the Lewisburg School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Anteneh is a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and a certified educator of palliative and end-of-life care (EPEC). He coordinates People to People (P2P)’s effort to promote the training of medical personnel and provision of clinical services in hospice and palliative care in Ethiopia. Dr. Anteneh is one of the editors of a series of web-based modules in Hospice and Palliative Care for Ethiopia prepared under the auspices of the Mayo Clinic Global HIV Initiative. He is also a contributor to P2P’s recently published “Triangular Partnership” manuscript.
Prioritizing Preventive Services for Women: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
Bethelhem Gelaw, MD
Dr Gelaw is a Radiologist who specializes in Women’s imaging. She acquired certification from the American Board of Radiology. Dr Gelaw did residency and fellowship at Temple University and University of Pennsylvania respectively. She studied medicine at Duke University, School of Medicine. Dr. Gelaw has held various positions focused on body and breast imaging, and is currently a member of community Radiology associates imaging team.
NURU ABSENO ROBI, MD
Dr. Nuru Abseno is an attending physician at Mid-Atlante Permanente Medical group. He was an Attending physician of obstetrics and gynecology at Providence Hospital and unity health care, Washington DC. Dr. Abseno was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, and Gynecology at Howard University College of Medicine Washington, DC. He was also an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Gondar, College of Medicine and health Sciences, Ethiopia, an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Addis Ababa University medical faculty, Ethiopia and Medical Director of University of Gondar Hospital in Ethiopia. Dr Abseno studied medicine at University of Gondar and did his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University. Dr. Abseno has board certifications as a Diplomate from American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and State Chamber of Physicians of Saxony, Germany
Rahel Nardos, MD, MCR
Dr Nardos is an associate professor in the division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and the director of global women’s health at the Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility, University of Minnesota. Dr Nardos has spent her career building women’s healthcare capacity both locally and globally by providing team based training for surgeons, nurses and other healthcare professionals in multiple countries in Africa including supporting the launching and continuation of one of the first urogynecology training programs in Ethiopia and serving on the executive board of Worldwide Fistula Fund including as a program chair for projects with obstetric fistula partners in five different countries. She is the cofounder and vice chair of Global Perm NW , current co-chair of the women and girls work group at the G4 Alliance for Global Surgery, Obstetric, Trauma and Anesthesia Care and content committee member of the United Nation’s Global Surgery Learning Hub. She is recipient of the prestigious Bush fellowship (2022) and is currently a member of the 2023 cohort of Women Lift Global Health leadership program.
Wondimu Gudu Jeldu, MD
Dr. Jeldu is an Associate Professor of OBGYN and Gynecologic Oncology at Saint Hospital’s Hospital Millenium Medical College. He completed Medical school at Gondar College of Health Science and finished residency in Obstetric and Gynecology in 2008. He has been practicing as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist for the past 15 years at different institutions in Ethiopia. He is currently the chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. In his current institution he is engaged in clinical service provision, teaching medical students/residents and conducting research. Dr. Jeldu has completed the International Gynecologic Cancer Society Curriculum and was certified as a Gynecologic oncologist in 2023. He is a trainer of trainees in Colposcopy and treatment of Pre-Invasive disease (ICGS certified). Dr Jeldu has participated in the development of many national guidelines and protocols on Maternal health. He has published more than 30 papers in peer reviewed journals and is an associate editor of Ethiopian Journal of Reproductive Health and Millennium Journal of Health. Dr. Jeldu has presented a number of scientific papers in International and National Conferences.
Feruz Surur, MD
Dr. Feruz Surur is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sub specialist in REI and served as the first Director for the Center for Reproductive Medicine at St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC),The only Public IVF center and national subspecialty training center in REI in Ethiopia. He is also the CEO of the newly established private IVF Center in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Ethio Fertility and IVF center. Dr. Feruz was the former president of the Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Ethiopia and chair of department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jimma University and SPHMMC. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Dr. Feruz had both Undergraduate and postgraduate Medical Training at Addis Ababa University Medical Faculty, Ethiopia, He started his medical and academic career at the School of Medicine, JimmaUniversity where he have served for 5 years assuming various responsibilities from Lecturer to department head to head of School. He has then joined Addis Ababa University medical Faculty (AAU-MF)and worked as an assistant Professor for three year. Dr. Feruz have done a one year “population and Rh leadership”post-doctoral fellowship at University of Washington and spent 9 years in the US working in various reproductive health Institutions particularly in the area of Male sexual dysfunction. He came back to Ethiopia in 2017 and joined SPHMMC as head of department of Obstetrics and gynecology. Due to his overwhelming interest and desire to help millions of infertile couples, he has shifted his focus to management of Infertility particularly IVF. He has done REI fellowship run by SPHMMC in collaboration with University of Michigan, INDIRA IVF, India and Ruma Fertility center, Ghana. Cal director. Dr. Feruz has been involved in and pioneered in the development of various national policies, guidelines and programs in the area of Maternal and Reproductive Health including the current guideline on Assisted Reproductive Technology. He has served as a consultant for various national reproductive health projects for various organizations. Dr. Feruz is married and a father of three boys.
Medicine & Health Care during peace and conflict
Professor Demissie Alemayehu
Professor Demissie Alemayehu is a board member of P2P. He is Faculty Director of Graduate Studies for the M.A. Program in the Statistics Department at Columbia University. In addition, Professor Demissie has over 25 years of leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He has held important offices at key professional societies, and has been on editorial boards of major journals. He has served on the advisory boards of several academic institutions, including Business Analytics at Steven Institute of Technology and the RUSIS programs at Oregon State and Indiana Universities. He is an elected Fellow of the American Statistical Association, and holds a Ph.D. degree in Statistics from the University of California at Berkeley. He has published extensively on pertinent statistical topics in refereed journals, and his current areas of focus include precision medicine, Big Data analytics, and health technology assessment.
Yonas E. Geda, MD, MSc
Dr. Geda is originally from Ethiopia, Africa where he received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from Addis Ababa (Haile Selassie) University, Ethiopia. Then he trained at Mayo Clinic, Minnesota in psychiatry (1995-2000), behavioral neurology (2000-2001), and biomedical science. He became a full-time faculty at Mayo Clinic rising to the rank of Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry. After a 25 years of successful career at Mayo Clinic, he joined Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) in Phoenix, Arizona in July of 2020 as Professor of Neurology, Department of Neurology at BNI. Dr. Geda’s guiding value in academia is the pursuit of knowledge as an end in itself. However, he is pragmatic enough to successfully compete for extramural funding from 2004 to present (NIH, Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Program etc.). Dr Geda’s research focuses on physical and mental activities, mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Dr Geda has won several awards, including the 2022 Alzheimer’s medal and monetary prize for best paper of the year for Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, the Mayo Brothers Distinguished Fellowship Award (1998), and the Medal of the City of Marseille, France (2003). Dr. Geda has over 175 peer reviewed scientific papers that are widely cited globally as evidenced by an h-index of 62. Dr. Geda is a dedicated educator and serves as a Professor and Program Director of the Dan Cracchiolo and Pam Grant Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry Fellowship Program at BNI. Additionally, Dr. Geda is a research professor at the Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Arizona State University and he is an adjunct professor at Bahir Dar University, in Gojam, Ethiopia.
Ambassador Nora Dempsey.
US Department of State
Ambassador Nora Dempsey is currently leading Ethiopian diaspora outreach for the U.S. Department of State. She has experience using technology as an innovative diplomatic tool around the world (via TechCamps and the Virtual Student Federal Service). She has worked on partnerships between educational institutions, and governments, across international borders. She was a member of the U.S. Middle East peace team 1993-1995, Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council 1999-2000, the U.S. Consul General in Florence, Italy and the founder of SAPER, an international biotech research center in Tuscany. Ambassador Nora Dempsey was also the director of the State Department's advanced Arabic Institute in Tunisia 2008-2012.
Triangular Partnership; fostering partnerships and building bridges
Lekidelu Tadesse, MD
Lekidelu Taddesse, MD is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Director of Hematopathology at Howard University College of Medicine and Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC. Dr. Leki is an academic educator, provides pathology diagnostic services and serves in several leadership roles. Dr. Leki’s passion is in education and mentoring and implementing quality systems. Dr. Leki has volunteered in various capacity in Ethiopia. She provided technical assistance to the HIV Laboratory at the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institution (EHNRI) implementing laboratory quality assurance systems. She provided resources for the Department of Pathology, Addis Ababa University School of Medicine. She led Howard University medical students’ global health experience trips to Gondar University Hospital for many years. She provides pathology lectures to medical students and pathology residents and supports pathology diagnostic services through capacity building and consultations to the Department of Pathology at Gondar University. She is currently leading an Accreditation Collaboration Task Force, a joint effort between the key accrediting institutions and medical schools in Ethiopia as part of a triangular partnership fostered by People to People Inc.to provide assistance for accreditation processes of medical schools. Dr. Taddesse-Heath has also published several articles and serves on national committees including Liaison Committee for Medical Education (LCME) as a medical school inspection team member and is a member of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Test Material Development Committee and quality review committees of the National Board of Medicine (NBME). In recognition of her excellence in teaching, compassionate mentorship, and role model, she received over thirty outstanding teaching awards and was the honored faculty by twelve graduating medical classes at Howard University College of Medicine. For her academic achievement and excellence in mentorship, she was inducted to the national Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the national Gold humanism Honor Society.
Prof. Tilahun Yilma
Prof. Tilahun Yilma is a Distinguished Professor of Virology in the School of Medicine and the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). He also directs the International Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Tropical Disease Agents at UC Davis. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Professor Yilma had an innate interest in nature and science that his father and stepmother encouraged. He excelled in school and was able to attend a prestigious high school where he was taught by university professors. After two years of university in Ethiopia, he continued his education in the United States and eventually became a U.S. citizen. He earned a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science (1968), a doctorate in veterinary medicine (1970), and a Ph.D. (1977) from UC Davis and did further studies in medicine at Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Yilma’s research focuses on the development of recombinant vaccines and rapid diagnostic kits for viral diseases of humans and animals. Among his notable accomplishments has been the development of a genetically engineered vaccine for a fatal cattle disease, rinderpest, which is caused by a virus. He also developed an inexpensive kit for quick diagnosis of rinderpest. The disease, brought to Ethiopia by three infected cows during the Italian invasion of 1888, had reached epidemic proportions throughout Africa before Dr. Yilma’s vaccine was introduced. He spent several years in the 1970s tracking the spread of the disease in Ethiopia and vaccinating cattle. In 1997 the vaccine was approved for use throughout Africa. The diagnostic kit and vaccine are now expected to eradicate rinderpest around the world. Dr. Yilma has developed vaccines and diagnostic tools for other diseases as well and is currently experimenting with recombinant DNA to create an effective vaccine for AIDS. Along with his own research, Dr. Yilma has devoted himself to fostering the careers of young scientists in developing countries. He is convinced that, given adequate training and support, they will be able to find solutions to the critical problems in their regions of the world. One outcome of his efforts was the establishment of a new research laboratory near Cairo, Egypt. Like his own lab, it is called the Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Tropical Diseases. After his retirement from UC Davis at the end of 2016, Dr. Yilma will be working on several book projects, addressing problems of African American boys, and participating in technology transfer in molecular biology mainly to Africa. Dr. Yilma has served on boards of numerous foundations and organizations. His outstanding contributions to science and medicine have been recognized by many professional organizations. His numerous awards include the Ciba-Geigy Award for Research in Animal Science (the highest international award in that field) and the 2001-2002 UC Davis Faculty Research Award (the university’s highest honor for research). He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
P2P 2023 Honorees Award Presentation
Professor Sossina Haile
Sossina M. Haile is the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, a position she assumed in 2015 after serving 18 years on the faculty at the California Institute of Technology. She earned her Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1992. Haile’s research broadly encompasses materials, especially oxides, for sustainable electrochemical energy technologies. Her work in fuel cell science and technology has pushed the field to new insights and record performance metrics. In parallel, she has created new avenues for harnessing sunlight to meet rising energy demands and demonstrated viable solutions to the challenge of hydrogen delivery. Amongst her many awards, in 2008 Haile received an American Competitiveness and Innovation (ACI) Fellowship from the U.S. National Science Foundation in recognition of “her timely and transformative research in the energy field and her dedication to inclusive mentoring, education and outreach across many levels.” In 2010 she was the recipient of the Chemical Pioneer Award (American Institute of Chemists), in 2012 the International Ceramics Prize (World Academy of Ceramics), and in 2020 the Turnbull Lectureship (Materials Research Society). She is a fellow of the Materials Research Society, the American Ceramics Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the African Academy of Sciences, and the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, and serves on the editorial boards of Joule and MRS Energy and Sustainability.
Dr. Petros Wolde-Giorgis
Dr. Woldesenbet is the president of Bonga university. He has worked as the Director of communication at the Ministry of Education. Dr. Woldesenbet is the author of “Pastoralism /Nomadism/ and Education in Ethiopia: The Case of Surma.” Dr. Woldesenbet earned his degree in History from Addis Ababa University. He did his Ph.D. in Sociology of Education at Tampere university.
Dr. Adey Tsegaye Gebremedhin
Dr. Adey Tsegaye was a pulmonologist in New Hyde Park, New York. Dr. Adey received her medical education at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, from which she graduated in the year 2000. She had over 20 years of expertise in a variety of fields, particularly in Critical Care (Intensivist). Dr. Adey worked alongside her colleagues in the hospital system New York-The Long Island Jewish Medical Centre in New York City, which was the epicenter of the coronavirus epidemic in the United States. She helped patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and risked her life to rescue others. Dr. Adey Tsegaye is the youngest daughter of the renowned African poet, playwright and ardent Laureate Tsegaye Gebremedhin.
Prof. Panos Hatziandreas
Professor Panagiotis (Panos) Hatziandreas is a senior level educational administrator and tenured College Professor with more than 25 years experience. He is the head of Lebawi academy and has a diverse background including educational leadership and administration, consulting, teaching and clinical psychotherapy. He has launched international educational institutions and exchange programs. He is committed to and deeply involved in different aspects of administration including accreditation, professional training and curriculum development. Professor Panos’ skills include strategic administration, academic event management, savvy media interfacing, student-centric learning environments, academic program development/launch, master-level teaching, student advising and mentoring, team leadership and accreditation and licensing.
Dr. Aberra Molla
Dr. Aberra Molla completed his pre-med at Haile Selassie I University and graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Nairobi in 1972. After working as the first Regional Veterinary Officer for the provinces of Kaffa and IIlubabor in 1973 he taught clinical medicine at the School for Veterinary Assistants in Debre Zeit. He joined the graduate Veterinary school at Colorado State University in 1975 where he received his terminal degree in 1978 in Clinical Sciences. His research at CSU was to find a solution for failure of passive transfer (FPT) of immunoglobulins in calves that was responsible for about 10% mortality and 30% morbidity and by solving it he saved millions of calves over the last 45 years. He was granted one US and one UK patent for it by 1985. In 2001 he volunteered twice to assist Great Britain when the Foot-and-Mouth disease outbreak occurred, and he received awards for excellence from the US government. He later worked for the Food Safety Inspection Service of USDA as Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian and Enforcement Investigation Analysis Officer. Despite retirement from his profession, he is still active with his second job of 41 years. Starting in 1982 he worked on Ethiopic and managed to computerize it in 1983 and made the Amharic typewriter obsolete. By 1987 the pioneer released his first product, ModEth, then EthioWord in 1993 and GeezEdit in 1994. These include smartphone versions for Apple and Android smartphones. He has also made products such as Freetyping Amharic and the one at his Ethiopic.com freely available for anybody to type Amharic on PC, Mac and the web. His attempts to patent his typing methods in Ethiopia was frustrating because Ethiopia did not have a patent system at the time though he now has four USA and three Ethiopian patents. Currently, he is working on EhioSuite, an Ethiopic publisher with 13 Ethiopic character sets and English. One other important contribution is his forcing the Italian government to return the Axum obelisk from Rome to Axum.
Prof. Tilahun Yilma
Prof. Tilahun Yilma is a Distinguished Professor of Virology in the School of Medicine and the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). He also directs the International Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Tropical Disease Agents at UC Davis. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Professor Yilma had an innate interest in nature and science that his father and stepmother encouraged. He excelled in school and was able to attend a prestigious high school where he was taught by university professors. After two years of university in Ethiopia, he continued his education in the United States and eventually became a U.S. citizen. He earned a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science (1968), a doctorate in veterinary medicine (1970), and a Ph.D. (1977) from UC Davis and did further studies in medicine at Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Yilma’s research focuses on the development of recombinant vaccines and rapid diagnostic kits for viral diseases of humans and animals. Among his notable accomplishments has been the development of a genetically engineered vaccine for a fatal cattle disease, rinderpest, which is caused by a virus. He also developed an inexpensive kit for quick diagnosis of rinderpest. The disease, brought to Ethiopia by three infected cows during the Italian invasion of 1888, had reached epidemic proportions throughout Africa before Dr. Yilma’s vaccine was introduced. He spent several years in the 1970s tracking the spread of the disease in Ethiopia and vaccinating cattle. In 1997 the vaccine was approved for use throughout Africa. The diagnostic kit and vaccine are now expected to eradicate rinderpest around the world. Dr. Yilma has developed vaccines and diagnostic tools for other diseases as well and is currently experimenting with recombinant DNA to create an effective vaccine for AIDS. Along with his own research, Dr. Yilma has devoted himself to fostering the careers of young scientists in developing countries. He is convinced that, given adequate training and support, they will be able to find solutions to the critical problems in their regions of the world. One outcome of his efforts was the establishment of a new research laboratory near Cairo, Egypt. Like his own lab, it is called the Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Tropical Diseases. After his retirement from UC Davis at the end of 2016, Dr. Yilma will be working on several book projects, addressing problems of African American boys, and participating in technology transfer in molecular biology mainly to Africa. Dr. Yilma has served on boards of numerous foundations and organizations. His outstanding contributions to science and medicine have been recognized by many professional organizations. His numerous awards include the Ciba-Geigy Award for Research in Animal Science (the highest international award in that field) and the 2001-2002 UC Davis Faculty Research Award (the university’s highest honor for research). He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.