This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony on March 9 for UNMC’s Scientist Laureate, Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator and Community Service to Research Award recipients.
New Investigator
The New Investigator Award is given to outstanding UNMC scientists who in the past two years have secured their first funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense or other national sources. New investigators also had to demonstrate scholarly activity, such as publishing their research and/or presenting their findings at national conventions.
- Name: Abraham Mengist, PhD
- Title: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Epidemiology
- Joined UNMC: July 2019
- Hometown: Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Please describe your research focus in three words or less:
Malaria, helminthiasis, epidemiology
Why is research important in the world today?
Research is important in the world today because it:
- Provides a better way and a systematic approach to learning, understanding and solving the myriad problems facing humans today;
- Allows critical gathering and organizing and analysis of knowledge and applying the information logically to identify issues, causes, potential solutions and make an informed decision to take action, monitor and evaluate activities and outcomes;
- Assures optimal use of resources while planning, executing, monitoring and evaluating of activities;
- Fosters the collaboration of institutions, teams and individuals with complementary resources to achieve higher milestones; and
- Allows the feasible formulation and testing of new ideas, theories and techniques.
My research will make a difference because:
The results will clarify:
- When and how to pool urine samples to accurately diagnose Schistosoma haematobium infection at low cost and in a short turnaround time in large-scale epidemiological surveys to assess the prevalence of infection, gauge drug efficacy and monitor the progress of mass deworming programs.
- Anthelminthic treatment strategies to control malaria and related clinical outcomes, anemia, undernutrition and poor cognitive performance in children.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Playing by rules ensures a long-lasting game.
Things you may not know about me are:
I play kirar, a five-or-six-stringed bowl-shaped lyre that is popular in Ethiopia.
Congratulations Dr.Mengist!
Congratulations!
Well deserved recognition. Congratulations Dr. Mengistu!
Congratulations Dr. Abraham
Congratulations, Dr. Mengist!