Zelalem Mekonnen
Adelaide Medical School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr. Zelalem Mekonnen is a viral immunologist at the Basil Hetzel Institute, the University of Adelaide. He completed his PhD in 2019 in viral immunology from the University of Adelaide. During his PhD Dr.Mekonnen was trained as a virologist, immunologist and vaccine scientist. Dr. Mekonnen developed and characterised a recombinant adenoassociated virus (rAAV) vaccine against hepatitis C virus in preclinical model.
Currently, Dr. Mekonnen is working as a post-doctoral researcher in the viral immunology group with a focus to develop promising nucleic acid (DNA and mRNA) based vaccines against different viral infections including SARS-CoV-2, hepatitis C virus, HIV, Zika virus and other flaviviruses.
Before joining the University of Adelaide for his PhD, Dr. Mekonnen had vast experience in research and academics that span from 2006 until 2015. He graduated from Addis Ababa University with a M.Sc in tropical and infectious diseases and worked as a lecturer and a researcher at the University of Gondar until 2015. During his tenure at the University of Gondar he supervised more than ten M.Sc students in their research.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 - ongoing | TQEH research expo organising committee member | Basil Hetzel Reaseatch Institute |
| 2020 - ongoing | Postdoctoral Researcher/Research coordinator | University of Adelaide |
| 2019 - 2019 | Research officer | The University of Adelaide |
| 2013 - 2015 | Assistant professor | University of Gondar |
| 2010 - 2013 | Lecturer | University of Gondar |
| 2006 - 2008 | Graduate assistant | University of Gondar |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| Amharic | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - 2019 | The University of Adelaide | Australia | PhD |
| 2010 | Addis Ababa University | Ethiopia | M.Sc |
| 2006 | University Of Gondar | Ethiopia | B.Sc |
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc in Tropical and Infectious Diseases | Addis Ababa University | Ethiopia | |
| PhD in virology | The University of Adelaide | Australia |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Liu, D., Wang, X., Xu, L., Al-Delfi, Z. N. S., Mekonnen, Z. A., Gao, S., . . . Zhao, C. X. (2025). Screening lipid nanoparticles using DNA barcoding and qPCR. Colloids and Surfaces B Biointerfaces, 251, 11 pages. |
| 2025 | Hosseini-Kharat, M., Wignall, A., Mekonnen, Z. A., Ung, B. S. Y., Chereda, B., Bremmell, K. E., . . . Prestidge, C. A. (2025). Microfluidic Optimization of PEI-Lipid Hybrid Nanoparticles for Efficient DNA Delivery and Transgene Expression. Pharmaceutics, 17(4), 16 pages. |
| 2025 | Perkins, G. B., Tunbridge, M. J., Chai, C. S., Hope, C. M., Yeow, A. E. L., Salehi, T., . . . Toby Coates, P. (2025). mTOR Inhibitors and Vaccine Response in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. |
| 2023 | Wijesundara, D. K., Yeow, A., McMillan, C. L. D., Choo, J. J. Y., Todorovic, A., Mekonnen, Z. A., . . . Muller, D. A. (2023). Superior efficacy of a skin-applied microprojection device for delivering a novel Zika DNA vaccine. Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids, 34, 102056-1-102056-10. Scopus5 Europe PMC2 |
| 2022 | Ryan, F. J., Hope, C. M., Masavuli, M. G., Lynn, M. A., Mekonnen, Z. A., Yeow, A. E. L., . . . Lynn, D. J. (2022). Long-term perturbation of the peripheral immune system months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. BMC Medicine, 20(1), 26-1-26-23. Scopus188 WoS91 Europe PMC169 |
| 2022 | Garcia-Valtanen, P., Hope, C. M., Masavuli, M. G., Yeow, A. E. L., Balachandran, H., Mekonnen, Z. A., . . . Grubor-Bauk., B. (2022). SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant escapes neutralising antibodies and T cell responses more efficiently than other variants in mild COVID-19 convalescents.. Cell Reports Medicine, 3(6), 23 pages. Scopus32 WoS15 Europe PMC28 |
| 2021 | Biccard, B. M., Miller, M., Michell, W. L., Thomson, D., Ademuyiwa, A., Aniteye, E., . . . Gopalan, P. D. (2021). Patient care and clinical outcomes for patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to African high-care or intensive care units (ACCCOS): a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. LANCET, 397(10288), 1885-1894. |
| 2021 | Ryan, F. J., Hope, C. M., Masavuli, M. G., Lynn, M. A., Mekonnen, Z. A., Lip Yeow, A. E., . . . Lynn, D. J. (2021). Long-term perturbation of the peripheral immune system months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Europe PMC1 |
| 2021 | Garcia-Valtanen, P., Hope, C. M., Masavuli, M. G., Yeow, A. E. L., Balachandran, H., Mekonnen, Z. A., . . . Grubor-Bauk, B. (2021). COVID-19 convalescents exhibit deficient humoral and T cell responses to variant of concern Spike antigens at 12 month post-infection. |
| 2020 | Mekonnen, Z. A., Masavuli, M. G., Yu, W., Gummow, J., Whelan, D. M., Al-Delfi, Z., . . . Grubor-Bauk, B. (2020). Enhanced T cell responses induced by a necrotic dendritic cell vaccine, expressing HCV NS3. Front Microbiol, 11, 1-13. Scopus7 WoS3 Europe PMC3 |
| 2020 | Gummow, J., Masavuli, M., Mekonnen, Z. A., Li, Y., Wijesundara, D. K., Shrestha, A. C., . . . Grubor-Bauk, B. (2020). Safety profile of a multi-antigenic DNA vaccine against hepatitis C virus. Vaccines, 8(1), 1-15. Scopus9 WoS4 Europe PMC5 |
| 2019 | Grubor-Bauk, B., Wijesundara, D. K., Masavuli, M., Abbink, P., Peterson, R. L., Prow, N. A., . . . Gowans, E. J. (2019). NS1 DNA vaccination protects against Zika infection through T cell-mediated immunity in immunocompetent mice.. Sci Adv, 5(12), eaax2388. Scopus60 WoS36 Europe PMC45 |
| 2019 | Mekonnen, Z. A., Grubor-Bauk, B., Masavuli, M. G., Shrestha, A. C., Ranasinghe, C., Bull, R. A., . . . Wijesundara, D. K. (2019). Toward DNA-based T-cell mediated vaccines to target HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus: approaches to elicit localized immunity for protection. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 9(APR), 1-8. Scopus14 WoS7 Europe PMC8 |
| 2019 | Shrestha, A. C., Wijesundara, D. K., Masavuli, M. G., Mekonnen, Z. A., Gowans, E. J., & Grubor-Bauk, B. (2019). Cytolytic perforin as an adjuvant to enhance the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. Vaccines, 7(2), 14 pages. Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC9 |
| 2019 | Mekonnen, Z. A., Grubor-Bauk, B., English, K., Leung, P., Masavuli, M. G., Shrestha, A. C., . . . Wijesundara, D. K. (2019). Single-dose vaccination with a hepatotropic adeno-associated virus efficiently localizes T cell immunity in the liver with the potential to confer rapid protection against Hepatitis C virus. Journal of Virology, 93(19), e00202-19-1-e00202-19-19. Scopus12 WoS8 Europe PMC12 |
| 2018 | Ayelign, B., Abebe, B., Shibeshi, A., Meshesha, S., Shibabaw, T., Addis, Z., . . . Dagnew, M. (2018). Bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among pediatric patients with urinary tract infections. Turkish Journal of Urology, 44(1), 62-69. Scopus21 WoS15 Europe PMC16 |
| 2017 | Tsegay, Y. G., Tadele, A., Addis, Z., Alemu, A., & Melku, M. (2017). Magnitude of cytopenias among HIV-infected children in Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia: A comparison of HAART-naïve and HAART-experienced children. HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care, 9, 31-42. Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC8 |
| 2016 | Garedew, L., Hagos, Z., Zegeye, B., & Addis, Z. (2016). The detection and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Shigella isolates from meat and swab samples at butchers' shops in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Journal of Infection and Public Health, 9(3), 348-355. Scopus21 WoS15 Europe PMC15 |
| 2015 | Shiferaw, B., Gelaw, B., Assefa, A., Assefa, Y., & Addis, Z. (2015). Bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern among patients with external ocular infections at Borumeda hospital, Northeast Ethiopia. BMC Ophthalmology, 15(1), 103-1-103-8. Scopus40 WoS25 Europe PMC26 |
| 2015 | Garedew, L., Hagos, Z., Addis, Z., Tesfaye, R., & Zegeye, B. (2015). Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella isolates in association with hygienic status from butcher shops in Gondar town, Ethiopia. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 4(1), 7 pages. Scopus42 WoS32 Europe PMC28 |
| 2015 | Melku, M., Kebede, A., & Addis, Z. (2015). Magnitude of HIV and syphilis seroprevalence among pregnant women in gondar, northwest ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care, 7, 175-182. Scopus24 WoS17 Europe PMC22 |
| 2015 | Addis, Z., Adem, E., Alemu, A., Birhan, W., Mathewos, B., Tachebele, B., & Takele, Y. (2015). Prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Gondar prisoners, North West Ethiopia. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 8(2), 127-131. Scopus12 WoS9 Europe PMC15 |
| 2015 | Enawgaw, B., Alem, M., Melku, M., Addis, Z., Terefe, B., & Yitayew, G. (2015). Prevalence and associated risk factors of anemia among HIV infected children attending Gondar university hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross sectional study. BMC Hematology, 15(1), 12. Scopus24 Europe PMC19 |
| 2014 | Enawgaw, B., Alem, M., Addis, Z., & Melku, M. (2014). Determination of hematological and immunological parameters among HIV positive patients taking highly active antiretroviral treatment and treatment naïve in the antiretroviral therapy clinic of Gondar University Hospital, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study. BMC Hematology, 14(1), 8. Scopus53 Europe PMC45 |
| 2014 | Tachebele, B., Abebe, M., Addis, Z., & Mesfin, N. (2014). Metabolic syndrome among hypertensive patients at University of Gondar Hospital, North West Ethiopia: A cross sectional study. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 14(1), 9 pages. Scopus20 WoS15 Europe PMC17 |
| 2014 | Gashaw, M., Abtew, D., & Addis, Z. (2014). Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Bacteria Isolated from Mobile Phones of Health Care Professionals Working in Gondar Town Health Centers. ISRN Public Health, 2014, 1-6. |
| 2014 | Addis, Z. (2014). Prevalence of Some Hematological Abnormalities among HIV Positive Patients on Their First Visit to a Tertiary Health Institution in Ethiopia; A Cross Sectional Study. International Blood Research & Reviews, 2(6), 270-278. |
| 2014 | Kibru, D., Gelaw, B., Alemu, A., & Addis, Z. (2014). Helicobacter pylori infection and its association with anemia among adult dyspeptic patients attending Butajira Hospital, Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 14(1), 7 pages. Scopus41 WoS25 Europe PMC30 |
| 2014 | Melku, M., Addis, Z., Alem, M., & Enawgaw, B. (2014). Prevalence and predictors of maternal anemia during pregnancy in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: An institutional based cross-sectional study. Anemia, 2014, 108593. Scopus101 WoS83 Europe PMC94 |
| 2014 | Mathewos, B., Alemu, A., Woldeyohannes, D., Alemu, A., Addis, Z., Tiruneh, M., . . . Kassu, A. (2014). Current status of soil transmitted helminths and Schistosoma mansoni infection among children in two primary schools in North Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross sectional study. BMC Research Notes, 7(1), 88. Scopus45 Europe PMC49 |
| 2013 | Addis, Z., Birhan, W., Derseh, D., Sahle, B., & Gizaw, N. (2013). Physicians' and nurses' satisfaction with the clinical laboratory service of Gondar university hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 140(3), 324-328. Scopus10 WoS8 Europe PMC8 |
| 2013 | Addis, Z., Yalew, A., Shiferaw, Y., Alemu, A., Birhan, W., Mathewose, B., & Tachebele, B. (2013). Knowledge, attitude and practice towards voluntary counseling and testing among university students in North West Ethiopia: A cross sectional study. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 8 pages. Scopus31 WoS19 Europe PMC24 |
| 2013 | Mathewos, B., Birhan, W., Kinfe, S., Boru, M., Tiruneh, G., Addis, Z., & Alemu, A. (2013). Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among health care workers in Gondar, North West Ethiopia. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 6 pages. Scopus40 WoS37 Europe PMC38 |
| 2013 | Alemu, A., Shiferaw, Y., Addis, Z., Mathewos, B., & Birhan, W. (2013). Effect of malaria on HIV/AIDS transmission and progression. Parasites and Vectors, 6(1), 8 pages. Scopus93 WoS65 Europe PMC67 |
| 2013 | Assefa, A., Mathewos, B., Alemu, A., Addis, Z., Alem, M., & Gizachew, M. (2013). HEPATITIS B AND C VIRAL INFECTIONS AMONG BLOOD DONORS AT BAHIR DAR, ETHIOPIA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH & HEALTH SCIENCES, 2(3), 624-630. WoS11 |
| 2013 | Molla, A., Gelaw, B., Addis, Z., & Gelaw, A. (2013). Marriage Patterns and Sero-prevalence of HIV Infection at Gambella Administrative Region, Southwest Ethiopia. Journal of Behavioral Health, 2(3), 223. |
| 2013 | Wondimu, H., Addis, Z., Moges, F., & Shiferaw, Y. (2013). Bacteriological safety of blood collected for transfusion at university of gondar hospital blood bank, northwest ethiopia.. ISRN hematology, 2013, 308204. Europe PMC10 |
| 2013 | Kahsu, G., Birhan, W., Addis, Z., Dagnew, M., & Abera, B. (2013). Renal Function Impairment and Associated Risk Factors among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Individuals at Flege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Journal of Interdisciplinary Histopathology, 1(5), 252. |
| 2012 | Mekonnen, Z., Haileselassie, H., Medhin, G., Erko, B., & Berhe, N. (2012). Schistosomiasis mansoni focus in mekele city, Northern Ethiopia. Ethiopian Medical Journal, 50(4), 331-336. Scopus8 Europe PMC8 |
| 2012 | Tadewos, A., Addis, Z., Ambachew, H., & Banerjee, S. (2012). Prevalence of dyslipidemia among HIV-infected patients using first-line highly active antiretroviral therapy in Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional comparative group study. AIDS Research and Therapy, 9(1), 8 pages. Scopus50 WoS36 Europe PMC37 |
| 2011 | Alemu, A., Atnafu, A., Addis, Z., Shiferaw, Y., Teklu, T., Mathewos, B., . . . Gelaw, B. (2011). Soil transmitted helminths and schistosoma mansoni infections among school children in zarima town, northwest Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 11(1), 7 pages. Scopus135 WoS99 Europe PMC122 |
| 2011 | Alemu, A., Shiferaw, Y., Getnet, G., Yalew, A., & Addis, Z. (2011). Opportunistic and other intestinal parasites among HIV/AIDS patients attending Gambi higher clinic in Bahir Dar city, North West Ethiopia. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 4(8), 661-665. Scopus68 WoS56 Europe PMC51 |
| 2011 | Addis, Z., Kebede, N., Worku, Z., Gezahegn, H., Yirsaw, A., & Kassa, T. (2011). Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella isolated from lactating cows and in contact humans in dairy farms of Addis Ababa: A cross sectional study. BMC Infectious Diseases, 11(1), 7 pages. Scopus106 WoS56 Europe PMC76 |
| - | Addis, Z., Birhan, W., Alemu, A., Mulu, A., Ayal, G., & Negash, H. (n.d.). Treatment Outcome of Tuberculosis Patients in Azezo Health Center, North West Ethiopia. International Journal of Biomedical and Advance Research, 4(3), 167. |
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Co-Supervisor | Harnessing the potential of mRNA vaccines against Hepatitis C Virus | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr John Henrik Johansson |
| 2022 | Co-Supervisor | A Trivalent Vaccine for Clinically-Important Flaviviruses. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Mr Ryan Santos |
| 2021 | Co-Supervisor | The development of 'next generation' DNA-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Full Time | Miss Zahraa Nima Saeed Al-Delfi |
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