ABOUT ME

Dr. Addisu Mekonnen is a professional wildlife biologist and conservation scientist (P. Biol.) with expertise in ecology, landscape ecology, wildlife conservation, wildlife management, population monitoring, wildlife inventory, animal behavior, geospatial analysis, population genetics, evolutionary biology, biodiversity conservation, vegetation ecology, restoration ecology, and habitat management. My research broadly focuses on understanding the effects of habitat alteration and climate change (anthropogenic and natural factors) on wildlife and their ecosystems. My research applies scientific and Indigenous ecological knowledge to design successful wildlife conservation, habitat, and environmental management strategies to restore degraded habitats, recover species at risk of extinction, and achieve sustainable development. My research integrates fieldwork, laboratory work (genetics), and geospatial analysis (GIS and remote sensing). I conduct my research and conservation intervention in the southern Ethiopian Highlands, where I am a director of the Bale Monkey and Bamboo Research Project, a long-term field study (over 15 years). I also work on the ecology and conservation of other wildlife research and conservation projects globally.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biology focusing on Wildlife Ecology, Evolution and Conservation

University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.

Dissertation: Effects of habitat fragmentation and degradation on Bale monkeys (Chlorocebus djamdjamensis) in southern Ethiopia: Integrating ecology, behaviour and population genetics

Master of Science (MSc) in Biology focusing on Ecology and Zoology

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology

Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada (2021-2024)
• Sessional Instructor, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada (Fall 2023)
• Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia (2020-present)
• Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (2018-2021)
• Lecturer and study leave, Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2009-2016)

TEACHING

Recent courses taught

• Primate Behaviour
• Wildlife Ecology and Management
• Fundamentals of Ecology
• Introduction to Environmental Science
• Conservation and Management of Natural Resources