Browse through the profiles of EMABG alumni who are working in the field of ABG.
Kahsa Tadel GebreHosur Shivappagowda AdarshaDianne van der SpekBinyam DagnachewHooi Ling KhawXiaowei MaoQianqian ZhangKadri Naveen KumarYu WangNima RafatiBerihu WelderufaelFelicien Shumbusho
Kahsa Tadel Gebre (Ethiopia): Assistant Professor at Mekelle University (currently living in Ethiopia)
I am working at Mekelle University in Ethiopia.
My tasks are: teaching, conducting research and community services.
The negative thing that i can mention is that at the beginning of the study i was new to Europe and every system there and it was a bit difficult to cope with everything. I was also very homesick but later i started having friends and classmates which improved quite quickly. Overall, my study at EM-ABG was very good.
Kahsa Tadel GebreGraduated in 2009
Hosur Shivappagowda Adarsha (India): Scientist in Fisheries at ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra (currently living in India)
I am working as a scientist in fisheries at ICAR Krishi Vigyan Kendra, India.
It was all nice. I can only look back and smile because everything was great. I am so proud of being an alumni of EMABG. I am grateful to the course coordinators, mentors and European Union for the generous grant which helped students like me to get a good post graduation.
Hosur Shivappagowda AdarshaGraduated in 2009
Dianne van der Spek (Netherlands): Geneticist at Topigs Norsvin (currently living in the Netherlands)
I work as a geneticist at Topigs Norsvin, pig breeding company.
My function entails amongst others partly R&D subjects and mainly developing new functionalities in breeding value estimation.
Some positive items: having an international experience, broader education
Dianne van der SpekGraduated in 2015
Binyam Dagnachew (Ethiopia): Research Scientist at Nofima (currently living in Norway)
Institution: Nofima
Position: Research Scientist
Task: Research
Positive: Meeting others and creating a professional network
Binyam DagnachewGraduated in 2009
Hooi Ling Khaw (Malaysia): Breeding Director for Asia Region at GenoMar Genetics AS (currently living in the Philippines)
Employer: GenoMar Genetics AS
Position: Breeding Director for Asia Region
Tasks: Manage the breeding nucleus in Asia for tilapia breeding programmes
Positive: Managed to meet with a lot of people from other countries with different background, which widening our network. Other than that I managed to learn a lot by doing my EMABG at two different countries with totally different culture, not limit to academic.
Negative: As we are the first batch of EMABG, we encountered a lot of issues related to academic structure differences at different universities, which caused some of us in trouble of not being able to do two theses. (But I am lucky that I managed to complete two theses, one with Wageningen University and another one with AgroParisTech).
Hooi Ling KhawGraduated in 2009
Xiaowei Mao (China): Assistant Professor at Chinese Academy of Sciences (currently living in China)
Institution: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Position: Assistant Professor
Tasks: Guide students on research projects (applying ancient DNA in both human and domesticated animals, polygenic selection, etc), apply for funding, etc
The multicultural experiences both in academic and international friendship have shaped my research and life in a very positive way. The world in my eyes is very different now, thanks to EMABG.
Xiaowei MaoGraduated in 2012
Qianqian Zhang (China): Senior Scientist at Beijing Agriculture Biotechnology Research Center (currently living in China)
Employer: Beijing agriculture biotechnology research center, Beijing Institute of Agriculture and Forestry
Position: Senior scientist
Tasks: Development of breeding methods for animals and plants
The positive side is that students from all over the world can get connected and learn and discuss freely together in this field. The teachers and supervisors in all different institutions are all very nice and great in teaching and sharing their knowledge and collaboration skills.
The negative side is that moving between different institutions is tough for students especially when the students have family.
Qianqian ZhangGraduated in 2013
Kadri Naveen Kumar (India): Senior Assistant at ETH Zurich (currently living in Switzerland)
All Positive.
Great course with a scholarship that was life-changing.
The course provided a solid base for a research career in the field of animal genetics
Kadri Naveen KumarGraduated in 2010
Yu Wang (China): Postdoctoral Scientist at Livestock Improvement Corporation (currently living in New Zealand)
Company: Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC)
Position: Postdoctoral Scientist – Quantitative Genetics and Genomics
Tasks: Currently focusing on mapping the genetic determinants of commercially important traits, with the goal of leveraging these discoveries for dairy cattle genetic improvement and genomic selection.
I really enjoyed my time studying at both WUR and BOKU. The experience of studying at EMABG laid me a solid knowledge foundation of animal breeding, shaped my research interest, and offered me the direction of my future career. Besides, I also met a lot of friends during this journey.
Thanks, EMABG!
Yu WangGraduated in 2015
Nima Rafati (Iran): Staff scientist at Science for Life lab, Uppsala University (currently living in Sweden)
I am now working as a staff scientist at Science for Life lab, Uppsala University, Sweden.
I can hardly find any negative point, to be honest. The stress and pressure from new environment and difference educational system was a bit tough in the beginning. For few people it was probably a bit harder. Because I remember one of our classmates quit. But at the same time there was another applicant who discussed the problem with administrator at WUR and they provided another solution to help the student.
Many positive aspects:
– Learning about novel methods in ABG
– Learning on how to do research
– Very nice and friendly environment with teachers and EM-ABG organisers. You have been very supportive!!
Nima RafatiGraduated in 2011
Berihu Welderufael (Ethiopia): Assistant professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics at Mekelle University (currently living in Ethiopia)
Institution: Department of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife Science at Mekelle University, Ethiopia
Position: Assistant professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics
Positive: the diversity of participants, the diversity of instructors, and the diversity of institutions, quality of training and organization of the program.
One of the best opportunities of milestones for good livelihood
Berihu WelderufaelGraduated in 2009
Felicien Shumbusho (Rwanda): Director of Animal Genetic Improvement (currently living in Rwanda)
Felicien Shumbusho is an Animal Genetics and Breeding scientist and Director of animal genetic Improvement at Rwanda Agriculture Board. He is trained in animal genetics and breeding (MSc and PhD) and has excellent skills in genomics data manipulations and analysis and designing and evaluating breeding programs. His current activities include revising and improving the Rwanda animal breeding programs; implementing research and extension projects that meet national priorities in animal breeding; coordinating the development and implementation of animal identification, registration and recording systems; ensure the training of staff and farmers in appropriate skills in livestock breeding management e.g. recording and records keeping, use of reproductive technologies, etc.
Tasks:
- Coordinating of National Animal Genetic Improvement activities, including – planning, – bulls selection and maintenance, Semen production and processing, artificial insemination service delivery, monitoring, etc;
- Supervising the capacity building of stakeholders in animal breeding;
- Strengthening partnership with national, regional, and international institutions for promotion of access to improved animal genetics, and breeding tools;
- Coordinating extension educational activities in the form of demonstration, technician and farmers training sessions;
- Supervising the development and updating of a the National Animal Breeding policy;
- Developing of National Livestock recording system in Rwanda;
It was great to study in more than one University and all the Universities were great. I liked most the system in Austria to choose any course you want at any University. Also, the research work and opportunities at INRAE France were great.
I thank the team that developed this MSc programme and is continuing to offer great opportunities for training.
Felicien ShumbushoGraduated in 2010
Browse through the profiles of EMABG alumni who are currently researching and studying at various international universities and research institutions.
Abdulhadi Akande KobiowuChristian Andres RAMOS URIAMaud de KinderenBaber AliFuyong LiShady YounisBingjie LiBrian Martin BabigumiraDireba Hunde DemissieBimal Chakkingal BhaskaranMohammed Negash BedhaneAtal Saha
Abdulhadi Akande Kobiowu (Nigeria): Doctoral Researcher at Virginia Tech (USA)
I am currently a PhD student in the interdisciplinary Program of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (GBCB) as a Research Assistant.
Research Area(s): Vector Biology, Genome Editing, Functional Genomics, Bioinformatics and Quantitative Genetics.
The EMABG was an excellent game-changer for my career trajectory as it allowed me to live, actualise, and experience my dreams—all of which could have remained a mirage. In addition, I had the opportunity of meeting some wonderful folks who were very helpful as I navigated unfamiliar paths (academic, cultural, social and the like) in Europe. It would be great if the internship duration could be extended a bit more to allow better immersion of students into the industry.
Abdulhadi Akande KobiowuGraduated in 2022
Christian Andres Ramos Uria (Bolivia): Internship at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (currently living in Panama)
Currently I am doing an internship at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, studying insect behavior. I plan to start a PhD in evolutionary biology next year, though that’s not 100% confirmed.
While the academic part has been of great importance, I find this program special because it gave us the chance to interact with people from all over the world, with different cultures and from different contexts.
Christian Andres Ramos UriaGraduated in 2021
Maud de Kinderen (Netherlands): PhD student at University of York (currently living in England)
Currently I am a PhD student at the University of York in England. The topic I am working on, is breeding for leafy vegetable traits of Amaranth, for smallholders in South Africa. I am happy to apply the skills in quantitative genetics, and knowledge of development studies, which I obtained during the EMABG. With this PhD, I hope to contribute to the improvement of local livelihoods and agriculture in South Africa and beyond.
The EMABG was a wonderful experience for me. Being the first student starting off the degree, before it was officially re-introduced, was sometimes quite a challenge. Although I was already familiar at WUR due to my BSc degree, the new courses, new thesis field and new fellow students, introduced a fresh start of my masters. Moving to Vienna, studying at BOKU, gave a whole international flavour to the degree. A lot of new experiences and things were obtained and learned.
Maud de KinderenGraduated in 2020
Baber Ali (Pakistan): Doctoral Researcher at AgroParisTech-Université Paris Saclayworking at INRAE in Paris (currently living in France)
I am a doctoral researcher employed by AgroParisTech-University Paris Saclay and working at INRAE in Paris. I am developing genomic prediction models that can integrate multi-omics information to account for genotype by environment (GxE) interactions. I will use both the Bayesian and frequentists approach during my work.
The two years of EMABG are extraordinary chapters of my life. Living in Göttingen and Paris was a time full of memories and cultural experiences. Even though it was a special time with the COVID outbreak, it still turned out to be a career defining time where I learnt and practiced the latest research developments in the animal breeding sector.
Baber AliGraduated in 2021
Fuyong Li (China): Postdoctoral fellow at University of Alberta (currently living in Canada)
I am a postdoctoral fellow working on gut microbiology at the University of Alberta (Canada). My research interests are to study the host-microbiome interactions from both nutritional and genetic aspects, and to understand how these interactions contribute to host phenotypes.
I extremely enjoyed the time when I was studying in EMABG. These two years of study and living in BOKU and WUR are my precious memories. These experiences help me a lot in my future study and research. I love our EMABG program, without any negative feelings!!!
Fuyong LiGraduated in 2012
Shady Younis (Egypt): PostdocResearcher at Stanford University School of Medicine (currently living in USA)
Currently, I am a Researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine working on the genetic factors controlling the response of immune cells to various diseases.
EMABG was an amazing program and gave me great opportunities to learn and develop my skills in the fields of genetics, bioinformatics, and biostatistics. I highly recommend this course for motivated students.
Shady YounisGraduated in 2011
Bingjie Li (China): Research fellow at Scotland’s Rural College (currently living in the UK)
Institution: Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, UK
Employers: Mike Coffey, Eileen Wall
Position: Research fellow (tenure track position)
Tasks: Research on animal genetics, interacting with SRUC team for national dairy genomic evaluation research.
Positive points: summer course; opportunities in studying at two universities.
Negative points: moving can be tricky but generally okay to handle.
Bingjie LiGraduated in 2013
Brian Martin Babigumira (Uganda): Research scientist at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (currently living in Austria)
My PhD study is on the productivity and profitability of smallholder pig enterprises in Uganda. The study is two-fold with a genomics component to determine breed composition and an economics component that links breed information to phenotypes ( actual economic and production data) of the pigs. The main result is to determine the most profitable breed x management system among smallholder pig enterprises in Uganda.
I had an opportunity to study and work with research teams at top European universities and research institutes.
Brian Martin BabigumiraGraduated in 2010
Direbe Hunde Demissie (Ethiopia): PhD student (currently living in Ethiopia)
I am studying in Ethiopia and working on the design of breeding program for crossbred dairy cattle.
The EMABG arranged strong and well designed courses. There was good team spirit. Professors were friendly and had good attachment with the students. The EMABG trusts students.
Direbe Hunde DemissieGraduated in 2012
Bimal Chakkingal Bhaskaran (India): Doctoral Student at KU Leuven (currently living in Belgium)
Doctoral Student: My PhD thesis topic is ‘Identification of functional genomic variants for cryptorchidism and Scrotal Hernia in pigs’.
Bimal Chakkingal Bhaskaran’s profile
I also have a position, back in India and currently am on study leave for pursuing my PhD studies.
I work as Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
In the EMABG, I developed strong inter personal relationships and improved my professional skills.
EMABG is a great platform for aspiring students who wants to work in the field of Animal Breeding and Genetics. Please continue taking measures to sustain this program and keep it up and running.
Bimal Chakkingal BhaskaranGraduated in 2009
Mohammed Negash Bedhane (Ethiopia): PhD at University of New England (currently living in Australia)
I am studying for my PhD in Australia at the University of New England.
I am working on genomic selection in beef cattle.
I would like to study my postdoc at EMABG.
The EMABG gave me a strong genetic background.
Mohammed Negash BedhaneGraduated in 2013
Atal Saha (Bangladesh): Postdoctoral researcher in the Division of Population Genomics at Stockholm University (currently living in Sweden)
I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Division of Population Genetics (Stockholm University) investigating genomic dynamics over space and time in salmonid (brown trout and Arctic char) metapopulations. My project is based on data from whole-genome sequencing (individual and pooled. My main research interest is to apply population genomic tools for the sustainable management and conservation of aquatic species.
This was an excellent opportunity to study ABG. Study was fun with the mobility concept. It was great to learn from outstanding teachers of the field. All the people involved with the programme were very cordial and cooperative.
Atal SahaGraduated in 2011
EMABG alumni are also working in fields not related to ABG. Browse through the profiles and find out what other possibilities there are.
Tewdros GhebremariamJulia Calderon DiazIgnacio P. GarciaAna KolicheskiHabib JanBahriye KarakasAmit DasNina ZoricBojan StojkovicGebremariam WoredeAmir Mohseni
Tewdros Ghebremariam (Eritrea): Data Analyst at Maryland State Department of Education (currently living in USA)
I was working at the University of California, Davis from January 2013 to December, 2018 as an Assistant Specialist in the genetic management of endangered fish species and applied what I learned in the EMABG program. After working for six years, I decided to work as a Data Analyst and moved to a different domain.
Positive
Tewdros GhebremariamGraduated in 2011
Julia Calderon Diaz (El Salvador): Postdoctoral Researcher at Teagasc (currently living in Ireland)
Employer: Teagasc (Irish Authority for Agriculture and Food Research)
Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Tasks: Involved in projects about biosecurity, respiratory diseases and bio-economic models for pig farms
It was an excellent experience, I learnt a lot and met wonderful people.
Julia Calderon DiazGraduated in 2009
Ignacio P. Garcia (Chile): Plant Manager at Nova Austral (currently living in Chile)
Institution: Nova Austral
Position: Plant Manager
Tasks: Safety, production and quality management
I couldn’t find anything in ABG in Chile, didn’t want to continue with my phD and I was offered a good position in some other field.
Ignacio P. GarciaGraduated in 2010
Ana Kolicheski (Brazil): Staff scientist at Pediatrics department of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri (currently living in USA)
After I graduated from EMABG, I moved to the United States to pursue my PhD in Veterinary Pathobiology. I met my PhD mentor during my EMABG second year in Sweden, during a dog and cat genome conference.
There I used the genetics knowledge from the EMABG program to analyse genomes of dogs with rare and common inherited diseases. I discovered over 10 disease causing variants during my PhD but only got to publish 6 of them. Soon after I finished my PhD, I got a post doctoral position at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville,FL and I analysed genomes of Early onset Parkinson’s disease patients.
I now work as a staff scientist at the Pediatrics department of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. I analyse genome (whole genome, exome, single cell, RNA expression) data of patients with rare immune diseases
All my memories from EMABG were positive, it was one of the best times of my life!
Getting to be in a multicultural environment, great quality universities, amazing professors and material. Great opportunity for networking and learn about not only Europe but so many other places in the world through my colleagues.
Ana Kolicheski Graduated in 2012
Habib Jan (Pakistan): Assistant Professor in Molecular Biology (currently living in Pakistan)
I did a PhD in Plant Breeding & Genomics from Germany (2016) under the EU Marie-Curie ITN programme ‘INTERCROSSING’.
I have just joined Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), a public hospital at Peshawar (North of Pakistan) as Assistant Professor (Molecular Biology). Currently, it is a research position in the Department of Pathology but I will also start teaching after a year or so. Recently, I have worked as Team Lead in Precision Medicine Lab, Peshawar Pakistan.
The courses studied and the time spent at various institutes were fantastic and positive.
Habib JanGraduated in 2011
Bahriye Karakas (Turkey): Currently unemployed PhD (due to the Coronavirus pandemic) (currently living in Turkey)
I did my PhD in the field of cancer biology.
I am currently looking after my children.
Bahriye KarakasGraduated in 2011
Amit Das (India): Assistant Manager at National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) (currently living in India)
Employer: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Position: Assistant Manager
Tasks: Currently assigned at a field position (district level) for planning, review and monitoring of credit in priority sector (agriculture and allied etc.)
My employer isn’t directly dealing with animal breeding and genetics, but has indirect role in the subject as the orgnization is the apex level policy entity in the country to promote sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural development through participative financial and non-financial interventions, innovations, technology and institutional development for securing prosperity. Therefore, time and again the issues of animal breeding also come within the functioning domain of my employer.
I cannot think of anything negative. It was the most remarkable experience in my life that shaped my career as well as personality.
Amit DasGraduated in 2009
Nina Zoric (Croatia): McKinsey consultant (currently living in Norway)
Position: McKinsey consultant because I wanted to try something else.
Positive
Thank you for the opportunity
Nina ZoricGraduated in 2015
Bojan Stojkovic (Serbia): Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Newcastle (currently living in Australia)
Employer: University of Newcastle
Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Tasks: Studying the role of microbiome in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease
Positive: cultural experience, ability to travel, freedom in choosing subjects, opportunity to learn basic laboratory skills which I wasn’t able to do in my home country, great opportunity to do the final MSc project in the lab with great guidance and a lot of independence which helped me get my PhD position, learning communication skills on how to discuss science, present data etc, very generous scholarship.
Negative: Perhaps not fully integrated with regular students, also a basic French language course would have been good.
Overall I’m extremely satisfied with the whole program. It really enabled me to get out of the isolation back home and pursue career that would otherwise been much more difficult.
Bojan StojkovicGraduated in 2011
Gebremariam Worede (Ethiopia): Teller at Wells Fargo Bank (currently living in USA)
The quality of education I received and the friendships I built were positive. I also got to experience different cultures, countries and people.
Gebremariam WoredeGraduated in 2010
Amir Mohseni (Iran): Senior Financial Advisor for a bank (currently living in Canada)
Everything was positive, and changed my life for the better.
Amir MohseniGraduated in 2010
In addition, other EMABG alumni are working in the following positions:
- geneticist for Atlantic salmon breeding company (research activities in aquaculture breeding and genetics)
- at family’s farm and working on the creation of their own company/lab
- lecturer and researcher in the field of animal breeding at European and non-European universities
- biostatistician at Ingenomix (providing genetic tests to Limousin cattle, providing genomic breeding values for various traits)
- researcher in the Indonesian Medicine Division (doing research on medicinal plants and traditional medicines)
- Environmental Epigenetic and Genetic Group, University of Kentucky/USA
We are continuously working on our EMABG alumni database.
Relevant information and updates will be posted here.
EMA – The Erasmus Mundus Association for students and alumni of Erasmus Mundus Master and Doctoral Programmes offers an international professional and personal network for EM students and graduates.
For more information, please visit: https://www.em-a.eu/
Last updated: 11.10.2022
