Dr
Mastewal
Birhan
Dr
Mastewal
Birhan
University of Gondar
Biography
Dr. Mastewal Birhan Atanaw
I am currently serving at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar (UoG), where I am actively engaged in interdisciplinary research that spans Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Immunology. I hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), an M.Sc. in Immunology, and a PhD in Medical Biotechnology, and I am honored to serve as an Associate Professor of Immunology at UoG.
To date, I have authored and co-authored 74 peer-reviewed publications, reflecting sustained scholarly productivity and meaningful contributions to both basic and applied research in my fields of expertise.
My current research applies a One Health approach to pressing challenges in Ethiopia, investigating the critical links between environmental, animal, and human health. This work reflects my long-standing commitment to advancing integrated, community-relevant scientific solutions that improve disease prevention, public health outcomes, and food security.
Over the past nine years, I have contributed extensively to the University of Gondar through teaching, research, clinical service, technology transfer, and community engagement, primarily within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. A defining milestone in my career was my promotion to Associate Professor in Veterinary Immunology in March 2020, which reaffirmed my dedication to scholarly excellence and impactful research.
As an educator and mentor, I have taught across Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Animal Sciences, and Veterinary Pharmacy programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I have advised more than 16 undergraduate DVM students, supervised over 15 MSc students, and served as supervisor or co-supervisor for six PhD candidates in Agricultural Biotechnology, Public Health, and Medical Biotechnology.
My academic and research leadership consistently bridges theoretical knowledge with practical applications that benefit both the academic community and society at large. Looking forward, I remain dedicated to advancing the fields of Immunology and Biotechnology, nurturing the next generation of scientists, and supporting my institution’s academic vision with integrity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Research interests
My primary research interests lie at the intersection of Veterinary Immunology, Medical Biotechnology, and Infectious Disease Epidemiology. I am particularly fascinated by the mechanisms of host–pathogen interactions and the role of the immune system in preventing and controlling infectious diseases in both animals and humans. My work aims to bridge fundamental immunological research with applied biomedical sciences to enhance disease diagnostics, prevention, and therapeutic strategies.
In veterinary immunology, I am interested in exploring immune responses across different species, with an emphasis on understanding protective immunity, vaccine development, and immunodiagnostic techniques. This field provides essential insights into zoonotic diseases, which represent a major public health concern.
In the field of medical biotechnology, my focus is on leveraging advanced biotechnological tools—such as molecular diagnostics, recombinant vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and bioactive peptides—for the development of innovative solutions to emerging and re-emerging diseases. I am particularly drawn to translational research that links laboratory discoveries to practical applications in veterinary and human medicine.
My interest in infectious disease epidemiology revolves around understanding the dynamics of disease transmission, risk factors, and outbreak patterns at the human–animal interface. I aim to integrate immunological and biotechnological approaches with epidemiological data to design effective surveillance systems and intervention strategies that support One Health objectives.
Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to scientific knowledge and practical interventions that strengthen disease control, food security, and public health by uniting veterinary immunology, biotechnology innovations, and epidemiological insights. Projects you're working on
Empowering Women in Technology through IT Training project- PI Discipline
Bacteriology Bioinformatics Epidemiology Immunology – B-cells Immunology – T-cells Immunology – innate Molecular biology Virology Host species
Cattle Poultry Small ruminants Zoonoses Pathogen
Bacteria Bacteria›Brucella Viruses Viruses›Bovine viral diarrhoea Viruses›Infectious bursal disease virus Viruses›Mareks disease virus Viruses›Newcastle disease virus Viruses›Peste des petits ruminants virus