Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abebech Beyene | Irrigation and Water Resouces | Best Researcher Award

Associate professor | Bahir Dar University | Ethiopia

 

Abebech Abera Beyene, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Irrigation and Water Resources Engineering at Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. With a career spanning over 18 years, Dr. Beyene is renowned for her extensive research in irrigation productivity and water management. Her expertise encompasses small-scale irrigation systems, climate change adaptation strategies, and the application of geospatial tools for water resource management. Her leadership roles and international collaborations highlight her influence and dedication to advancing the field of water resources engineering.

Profile

ORCID

Strengths for the Award

1. Extensive Academic Background:
   • Abebech holds a Ph.D. in Geography (Physical) from Ghent University, Belgium, and has a strong educational foundation with a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields from Ethiopian universities.
2. Significant Research Contributions:
   • She has published numerous journal articles in reputable journals, focusing on irrigation productivity, climate change adaptation, and geospatial tools for water management. Her work is well-cited and demonstrates substantial contributions to the field.
3. Diverse Research Interests and Expertise:
   • Her research covers various aspects of irrigation and water management, including small-scale systems, remote sensing, and basin-scale water resources management. This breadth indicates a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
4. Leadership and Professional Activities:
   • Abebech has held leadership roles such as Dean of the School of Research and Postgraduate Studies and is actively involved in various international and local projects. Her role as an Irrigation & Hydraulics research unit leader and involvement in multiple collaborative projects demonstrate her leadership and impact in the field.
5. International Collaborations:
   • She is engaged in several international collaborations, including supervising Ph.D. students from other institutions and contributing to global research networks. This involvement reflects her ability to work effectively in diverse and global contexts.
6. Mentorship and Supervision:
   • Abebech has supervised numerous Master’s and Ph.D. students, which highlights her commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers. Her supervision of students in various institutions and her contributions to their research projects showcase her dedication to academic growth and development.
7. Professional Service:
   • Her roles in organizing conferences, reviewing research articles, and contributing to book editions underscore her active participation in advancing the field beyond her own research.

Areas for Improvement

1. Increased Visibility and Outreach:
   • While her publications and professional activities are extensive, increasing her visibility through broader outreach and engagement with interdisciplinary and non-academic audiences could enhance her impact further.
2. Focus on Emerging Trends:
   • Although her research is already substantial, staying updated with emerging trends and technologies in irrigation and water resources management, such as advancements in AI and big data analytics, could provide new avenues for research and application.
3. Enhancing Collaborative Networks:
   • Expanding her collaborative networks to include more diverse international institutions and organizations could provide additional perspectives and resources for her research.
4. Public Engagement:
   • Greater involvement in public science communication and community-based research initiatives might help in translating her research into practical solutions and policy recommendations.

Education

Dr. Beyene completed her Ph.D. in Geography (Physical) at Ghent University, Belgium, in June 2018. She holds a Master’s degree in Irrigation Engineering from Arba Minch University, Ethiopia (2010), and a Bachelor’s degree in Soil and Water Engineering from Haramaya University, Ethiopia (2006). Her academic background underpins her robust research capabilities and commitment to the field.

Experience

Dr. Beyene’s professional journey includes a research position at Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (2006-2012) and various academic roles at Bahir Dar University, where she has served as a lecturer, assistant professor, and currently as an associate professor since February 2024. She has held leadership roles such as Dean of the School of Research and Postgraduate Studies and leads research units focused on irrigation and water management.

Research Interests

Dr. Beyene’s research primarily explores irrigation productivity as a climate change adaptation strategy and employs geospatial tools for water resources management. Her work includes field experiments, data analysis using numerical and statistical models, and basin-scale remote sensing using tools like Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, and QGIS. Her studies aim to enhance water resource management in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Beyene has been recognized for her substantial contributions to the field of water resources engineering through various awards and certifications. Her involvement in prestigious international conferences and leadership roles in research projects further attests to her influence and recognition in the field.

Publications

Here are some of Dr. Beyene’s key publications with hyperlinks and publication years:

Performance of small-scale irrigation schemes in Lake Tana Basin of Ethiopia: technical and socio-political attributes
Physical Geography, 2019
Link

Estimating the actual evapotranspiration and deep percolation in irrigated soils of a tropical floodplain, northwest Ethiopia
Agricultural Water Management, 2018
Link

Irrigation efficiency and shallow groundwater in anisotropic floodplain soils near Lake Tana, Ethiopia
Irrigation and Drainage, 2019
Link

Assessment of irrigation expansion and implications for water resources by using RS and GIS techniques in the Lake Tana Basin of Ethiopia
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2021
Link

Performance Evaluation of Surface Irrigation System in the Case of Dirma Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme at Kalu Woreda, Northern Ethiopia
Water Conservation Science and Engineering, 2021
Link

Assessing Farm Water Management and Performance of Koga Irrigation Scheme: a Case Study of Inguti Unit, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
Water Conservation Science and Engineering, 2022
Link

Identifying rainwater harvesting sites using integrated GIS and a multi-criteria evaluation approach in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia
Applied Water Science, 2022
Link

Evaluating furrow irrigation techniques and grass mulch on irrigated onion using statistical tools and Hydrus-1D
Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 2023
Link

Response of Yield and Water Use Efficiency to Different Irrigation Levels under Furrow Systems of Soybean
Water Productivity Journal, 2023
Link

Determination of Optimum Water Requirement and Irrigation Interval for Upland Rice at Fogera, Ethiopia
Water Conservation Science and Engineering, 2023
Link

Conclusion

Abebech Abera Beyene is a highly competent and impactful researcher with a robust track record in irrigation and water resources engineering. Her extensive publication record, leadership roles, international collaborations, and commitment to mentorship make her a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Addressing the areas for improvement, such as enhancing visibility, embracing emerging trends, and expanding collaborative networks, could further amplify her contributions to the field. Her dedication to advancing knowledge and practical solutions in water resources management is commendable and aligns well with the criteria for the award.