Academic Profile: Prof. Gobena Ameni
Prof. Gobena Ameni is a distinguished veterinarian and academic leader with a deep expertise in veterinary and zoonotic infectious diseases. He is highly dedicated educator and supervisor of hundreds of students on their theses researches. His strong academic foundation, research leadership, commitment in academic mentor and prolific output have made substantial contributions to veterinary public health and disease control both in Ethiopia and internationally.
Current Position & Affiliations
• Professor at both Addis Ababa University (AAU)—specifically at the Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology—and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) .
• At UAEU, he is part of the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, contributing to veterinary medicine education and infectious disease research.
Education & Career Path
• Began undergraduate studies at Addis Ababa University in 1990 and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 1996.
• He began his academic career as an Assistant Lecturer in 1997.
• Earned a PhD in Clinical Microbiology and a Diploma of Imperial College (DIC) in Immunology from Imperial College London in 2009.
• Progressed through academic ranks at AAU, becoming a full Professor by around 2015.
Research Focus
• Specializes in infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis (both bovine and human), equine/human histoplasmosis, brucellosis, emerging and re-emerging RNA virus infections, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, coxiellosis, toxoplasmosis etc.
• His research encompasses immunology, vaccinology, molecular epidemiology, diagnostics, and public health impacts of zoonotic diseases.
• Relevant topics include:
o Efficacy of BCG vaccination in calves.
o Molecular epidemiology and drug-sensitivity patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
o Diagnostics such as comparative intradermal tuberculin testing, gamma-interferon assays, and new cutoff values for zebus.
o Identification and characterization of novel M. bovis strains and isolation of M. tuberculosis from cattle.
o Molecular epidemiology and zoonotic impacts of brucellosis.
o Epidemiology of emerging and re-emerging RNA virus infections.
Academic Contributions
• Authored or co-authored 295 publications, with over10,000 citations with h-index of 52, reflecting strong international academic impact.
• Has supervised over 200 dissertations (35 PhD) and led/co-led numerous research projects—20 international and local research projects.