Yihew Biru Woldegiorgis | Wildlife Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yihew Biru Woldegiorgis | Wildlife Ecology | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Yihew Biru Woldegiorgis, Gullele Botanic Garden, Ethiopia

Yihew Biru Woldegiorgis is an accomplished Zoologist and Wildlife Ecologist with over 18 years of experience in biodiversity conservation, ecological research, and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) . He holds an MSc in Ecological & Systematic Zoology from Addis Ababa University and has served at institutions like Dire Dawa University, the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, and Gullele Botanic Garden 📚. Yihew has led numerous ecological assessments across Ethiopia and authored multiple scientific publications 📄. He is also an active member of BSE, ESAP, and SONA. He is fluent in Amharic, English, and Afaan Oromo

Publication Profile

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🎓 Educational Background

Mr. Yihew Biru Woldegiorgis has pursued a strong academic foundation in biological and ecological sciences . He earned his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology from Debub University between September 2000 and July 2004 🧬. Advancing his expertise, he obtained a Master of Science (MSc) in Ecological & Systematic Zoology from Addis Ababa University from September 2007 to July 2009 🐾🌱. He further enhanced his professional qualifications by completing a Higher Diploma in Teacher Education at Haramaya University from September 2009 to July 2010 🎓. His education has equipped him for diverse ecological and research roles

💼 Professional Experience

Mr. Yihew Biru Woldegiorgis has extensive experience in biodiversity and ecological research . Since September 2022, he has served at Gullele Botanic Garden, Addis Ababa, developing wildlife census studies, leading national research workshops, and training students . From March 2020 to September 2022, at the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, he conducted threat analyses, socio-economic surveys, and capacity-building for conservation efforts 🌍📚. From 2006 to 2020, he was a lecturer and researcher at Dire Dawa University, teaching biology, executing biodiversity studies, and participating in environmental impact assessments 🧬🏞️. His work integrates science, education, and conservation leadership effectively.

🔬 Research Focus

Mr. Yihew Biru Woldegiorgis specializes in wildlife ecology, biodiversity conservation, and human-wildlife interactions . His research focuses on ecological assessments of elephants, birds, butterflies, and zootherapeutic species across Ethiopian habitats . He explores species composition, conservation challenges, and local community perceptions toward wildlife . He is also active in environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) for sustainable development . His interdisciplinary work connects field ecology, local ethnobiological knowledge, and conservation strategy to promote biodiversity protection and habitat management in Ethiopia . His contributions advance ecological science and conservation policy in East Africa.

Conclusion

Mr. Yihew Biru Woldegiorgis is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His profile demonstrates a balance between academic excellence, practical implementation, and policy influence in biodiversity and wildlife ecology

Publication Top Notes

  • 📘 2012 – Yihew Biru & Afework Bekele: “Food habits of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in Babile Elephant Sanctuary, Ethiopia” – Tropical Ecology 53(1): 43‑52.

  • 🌾 2017 – Yihew Biru et al.: “Perception and attitude of pastoralists on livestock–wildlife interactions around Awash National Park, Ethiopia: implication for biodiversity conservation” – Ecological Processes 6: 13.

  • 🦜 2021 – Amare Gibru, Yihew Biru, Zelalem Temesgen & Kebebew Hunde: “A Preliminary Checklist of Birds for the Fura and Furagosa Community Based Wildlife Conservation Area…, Southern Ethiopia” – International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis 4(4): 395‑398.

  • 🌱 2021 – Woldegiorgis Y.B. & Mekonnen A.G.: “Biodiversity loss and conservation challenges in Chimit Kolla…, Ethiopia” – International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation 13(4): 214‑217.

  • 🌾 2022 – Amare Gibru & Yihew Biru: “Assessment of Bird Species Composition, Relative Abundance, and Distributions in East Gojjam Wetland Habitats, Ethiopia” – International Journal of Zoology (DOI:10.1155/2022/2802998).

  • 🐾 2022 – Biru Y., Gibru A., Temesgen Z., Hunde K. & Fekensa T.: “Zootherapeutic animals used by Awi, Gamo, and Konta communities… Ethiopia” – Asian Journal of Ethnobiology 5(2): 84‑91 (DOI:10.13057/asianjethnobiol/y050202).

  • 🦋 2022 – Gebreegziabher H., Yihew B. & Abeje K.: “Butterfly diversity and abundance at two different habitat types of Gozamen woreda…, Ethiopia” – Arthropods 11(3): 153‑163.

  • 🐦 2023 – Amare Gibru, Tadesse Hunduma, Yihew Biru & Tesfu Fekensa: “Composition and Diversity of Bird Community in the Chemoga Wetland and the Associated Human‑Modified Landscapes…, Ethiopia” – International Journal of Zoology (DOI:10.1155/2023/1342006).

  • 🦝 2025 – Yihew B. Woldegiorgis, Mekbib M. Yimbreber & Zelalem T. Assaye: “Human‑Wildlife Conflict Dynamics and Conservation Challenges in Gullele Botanic Garden, Ethiopia” – International Journal of Zoology (DOI:10.1155/ijz/3212055).

Luciano Huber | Biodiversity | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Luciano Huber | Biodiversity | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Luciano Huber, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil

Luciano Koche Huber 🇧🇷 is a doctoral student in Bioinformatics at PUCRS and holds a Master’s in Ecology and Evolution of Biodiversity (2024). His research focuses on altitudinal variation and microbial community composition in bromeliad water and neotropical forest soil using metabarcoding techniques. 🧬🌱 He previously earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration with a specialization in Systems Analysis. Luciano is proficient in English 🇬🇧 and Spanish 🇪🇸 and has co-authored a 2025 article in The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology. He is a CAPES fellow and actively contributes to scientific development and biodiversity research. 📚🔍

Publication Profile

Orcid

🎓 Academic Background

Luciano Huber 🇧🇷 holds a Master’s degree (2022–2024) in Ecology and Evolution of Biodiversity from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil. His thesis, titled “Altitudinal variations and community composition of eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and the eukaryotic supergroup TSAR in bromeliad water tanks and adjacent soil in a neotropical forest using metabarcoding”, was supervised by Prof. Laura Roberta Pinto Utz and co-supervised by Dr. Joe Taylor. 🧬🌱 He was awarded a CAPES scholarship 💼. Luciano’s research connects agriculture, livestock, and scientific development 🔍. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with emphasis in Systems Analysis from PUCRS (1987–1990) 📊

🔬 Research Focus

Luciano Huber focuses on microbial ecology 🦠, biodiversity 🧬, and bioinformatics 💻. His research investigates the altitudinal variation and community composition of eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and the TSAR supergroup in bromeliad water and adjacent soil using metabarcoding techniques 🧪. His publication in the Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology explores ecological community dynamics in neotropical environments 🌿. Luciano integrates molecular tools and environmental data to understand microbial diversity and ecosystem function 🌎. His work contributes to advancing ecological genomics, highlighting interactions between organisms and their habitats across microhabitats and elevation gradients 📈.

Conclusion

Luciano Koche Huber is a promising early-career researcher whose interdisciplinary expertise, innovative use of bioinformatic tools, and focus on ecosystem-level questions make him a suitable candidate for the “Research for Best Researcher Award”, particularly in categories recognizing emerging talent or impactful master’s/PhD-level research

Publication Top Notes

Luciano Huber co-authored the article titled “Is the Composition of Communities in Bromeliad Water and Adjacent Soil Similar?” published in May 2025 in the Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology (DOI: 10.1111/jeu.70009) 🧬.