Mr Melkamu Beyene
Higher Degree by Research Candidate
School of Medicine
College of Health
Mr Melkamu Bedimo Beyene is a PhD candidate in genetic epidemiology at the University of Adelaide whose research examines the biological, socioeconomic, and lifestyle determinants of healthy ageing. His doctoral work focuses on intrinsic capacity (IC) — the World Health Organization’s multidimensional construct of physical and mental function — and investigates how genetic susceptibility interacts with environmental exposures across the life course.
Using large population-based cohorts, including the UK Biobank (N≈500,000) and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (N≈50,000), he applies genome-wide association studies, polygenic score modelling, machine learning, gene–environment interaction analyses, and functional genomic approaches to characterise the genetic architecture of IC. His findings show that IC is highly polygenic, reflects multiple physiological systems, and is independently associated with modifiable behavioural and social factors, supporting biologically informed prevention strategies for healthy ageing.
Mr Beyene holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics from the University of Gondar. His PhD has produced four peer-reviewed publications and one preprint, and overall, he has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications in public health, genetic epidemiology, and healthy ageing, including approximately ten as first or senior author, with over 700 citations (h-index 16). Before his PhD, he held academic leadership roles at Bahir Dar University, progressing from Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics to Director of Registrar and Alumni Management.
Overall, his research integrates biological, behavioural, and social determinants of healthy ageing to support earlier detection of functional decline and promote longer lives lived in good functional ability.
Mr Melkamu Bedimo Beyene is a PhD candidate in genetic epidemiology at the University of Adelaide whose research examines the biological, socioeconomic, and lifestyle determinants of healthy ageing. His doctoral work focuses on intrinsic capacity (IC) — the World Health Organization’s multidimensional construct of physical and mental function — and investigates how genetic susceptibility interacts with environmental exposures across the life course.
Using large population-based cohorts, including the UK Biobank (N≈500,000) and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (N≈50,000), he applies genome-wide association studies, polygenic score modelling, machine learning, gene–environment interaction analyses, and functional genomic approaches to characterise the genetic architecture of IC. His findings show that IC is highly polygenic, reflects multiple physiological systems, and is independently associated with modifiable behavioural and social factors, supporting biologically informed prevention strategies for healthy ageing.
Mr Beyene holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics from the University of Gondar. His PhD has produced four peer-reviewed publications and one preprint, and overall, he has authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications in public health, genetic epidemiology, and healthy ageing, including approximately ten as first or senior author, with over 700 citations (h-index 16). Before his PhD, he held academic leadership roles at Bahir Dar University, progressing from Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics to Director of Registrar and Alumni Management.
Overall, his research integrates biological, behavioural, and social determinants of healthy ageing to support earlier detection of functional decline and promote longer lives lived in good functional ability.
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| Afro-Asiatic languages | Can speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Amharic | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| Oromo | Can speak and understand spoken |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 - 2011 | University of Gondar | Ethiopia | Master of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics |
| 2004 - 2007 | University of Gondar | Ethiopia | Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Statistics |
| Date | Title | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 - 2011 | Master of Public Health | University of Gondar | Ethiopia |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Beyene, M. B., Visvanathan, R., Alemu, R., Theou, O., Beben, B., Cesari, M., . . . Amare, A. T. (2026). Associations and Interaction Effects of Socioeconomic, Lifestyle, and Genetic Factors on Intrinsic Capacity. The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, glag057. |
| 2025 | Beyene, M. B., Visvanathan, R., Alemu, R., Benyamin, B., Bhattacharjee, R., Beyene, H. B., . . . Amare, A. T. (2025). A genome-wide association study identified 10 novel genomic loci associated with intrinsic capacity. The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 80(11), glaf196-1-glaf196-14. |
| 2025 | Endalew, G., Beyene, M. B., Kassie, A., & Wassie, G. T. (2025). Incidence and Risk Factors of Tuberculosis among Children Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Northwest, Ethiopia. International Journal of Public Health, 70, 9 pages. |
| 2024 | Beyene, M. B., Visvanathan, R., Ahmed, M., Benyamin, B., Beard, J. R., & Amare, A. T. (2024). Development and validation of an intrinsic capacity score in the UK Biobank study. Maturitas, 185(107976), 107976-1-107976-10. Scopus20 WoS20 Europe PMC18 |
| 2024 | Beyene, M. B., Visvanathan, R., & Amare, A. T. (2024). Intrinsic Capacity and Its Biological Basis: A Scoping Review. Journal of Frailty and Aging, 13(3), 193-202. Scopus21 WoS16 Europe PMC16 |
| 2022 | Mekuria, D. K., Hailu, G., Bedimo, M., & Tefera, A. A. (2022). Determinants of default from full completion of vaccination among children between 12 and 23 months old in Yilmana Densa district, west Gojam zone, Ethiopia, 2019. FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH, 10, 10 pages. WoS5 Europe PMC5 |
| 2022 | Alamneh, T. T., Tilahun, S. F., Beyne, M. B., Fekadu, S. A., Assem, A. S., & Kassa, S. F. (2022). Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia Among Newborns at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL MEDICINE, 15, 6465-6474. WoS7 Europe PMC5 |
| 2022 | Beyene, M. B., Teshome, S., Yehenew, A., Terefework, Z., Stuitje, A. R., Abebe, T., & Beyene, H. B. (2022). Assessing the diagnostic performance of a novel RT-PCR fluorescence method for the detection of human plasmodium species. Plos One, 17(8 August), 11 pages. Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC5 |
| 2022 | Shibesh, B. F., Yalew, W. A., Beyene, M. B., & Minyiwab, G. W. (2022). Determinants of neonatal hypothermia among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit northwest, Ethiopia, case-control study. Journal of Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, 35(20), 3903-3908. Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC9 |
| 2021 | Feleke, B. E., Feleke, T. E., Mekonnen, D., & Beyene, M. B. (2021). Micronutrient levels of tuberculosis patients during the intensive phase, a prospective cohort study (vol 31, pg 56, 2019). CLINICAL NUTRITION ESPEN, 42, 416. |
| 2020 | Mitikie, K. A., Wassie, G. T., & Beyene, M. B. (2020). Institutional delivery services utilization and associated factors among mothers who gave birth in the last year in Mandura district, Northwest Ethiopia. PLOS ONE, 15(12), e0243466. Scopus21 WoS22 Europe PMC22 |
| 2020 | Ayalew, F., Atnafu, D. D., Bedimo, M., & Mulatu, K. (2020). Determinants of community-led ivermectin treatment adherence for onchocerciasis control in Western Ethiopia: a case-control study. TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HEALTH, 48(1), 8 pages. WoS5 Europe PMC5 |
| 2020 | Chekol, D., Bedimo, M., Mulugeta, Y., & Bantie, G. M. (2020). Determinants of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at Felegehiwot specialized hospital, North West Ethiopia: A case-control study. PLOS ONE, 15(12), e0243561. WoS2 Europe PMC3 |
| 2019 | Bantie, G. M., Meseret, Z., Bedimo, M., & Bitew, A. (2019). The prevalence and root causes of delay in seeking healthcare among mothers of under five children with pneumonia in hospitals of Bahir Dar city, North West Ethiopia. BMC PEDIATRICS, 19(1), 10 pages. WoS21 Europe PMC20 |
| 2019 | Feleke, B. E., Feleke, T. E., Mekonnen, D., & Beyene, M. B. (2019). Micronutrient levels of tuberculosis patients during the intensive phase, a prospective cohort study. Clinical Nutrition Espen, 31, 56-60. Scopus9 WoS7 Europe PMC8 |
| 2019 | Feleke, B. E., Beyene, M. B., Feleke, T. E., Jember, T. H., & Abera, B. (2019). Intestinal parasitic infection among household contacts of primary cases, a comparative cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE, 14(10), e0221190. Scopus32 WoS24 Europe PMC21 |
| 2018 | Asrat, W., Mekonnen, T., & Bedimo, M. (2018). Assessment of women's satisfaction with family planning service at public health facilities in Northwest Region of Ethiopia: a cross sectional study.. Contraception and reproductive medicine, 3(1), 25. Europe PMC18 |
| 2017 | Beyene, H. B., Tadesse, M., Disassa, H., & Beyene, M. B. (2017). Concurrent Plasmodium infection, anemia and their correlates among newly diagnosed people living with HIV/AIDS in Northern Ethiopia. Acta Tropica, 169, 8-13. Scopus15 WoS16 Europe PMC15 |
| 2016 | Beyene, H. B., Beyene, M. B., Ebstie, Y. A., & Desalegn, Z. (2016). Efficacy of chloroquine for the treatment of vivax malaria in northwest Ethiopia. Plos One, 11(8), 14 pages. Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC12 |
| 2015 | Beyene, M. B., & Beyene, H. B. (2015). Predictors of late HIV diagnosis among adult people living with HIV/AIDS who undertake an initial CD4 T Cell evaluation, northern Ethiopia: A case-control study. Plos One, 10(10), 12 pages. Scopus21 WoS16 Europe PMC17 |
| 2015 | Endeshaw, M., Abebe, F., Bedimo, M., & Asart, A. (2015). Diet and Pre-eclampsia: A Prospective Multicentre Case-Control Study in Ethiopia. MIDWIFERY, 31(6), 617-624. WoS34 Europe PMC28 |
| 2014 | Fikadie, G., Bedimo, M., & Alamrew, Z. (2014). Prevalence of Voluntary Counseling and Testing Utilization and Its Associated Factors among Bahirdar University Students.. Advances in preventive medicine, 2014, 906107. Europe PMC12 |
| 2013 | Awoke, W., Bedimo, M., & Tarekegn, M. (2013). Prevalence of schistosomiasis and associated factors among students attending at elementary schools in Amibera District, Ethiopia. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 03(02), 199-204. |
| 2013 | Alamrew, Z., Bedimo, M., & Azage, M. (2013). Risky Sexual Practices and Associated Factors for HIV/AIDS Infection among Private College Students in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia. ISRN Public Health, 2013, 1-9. |
| - | Endeshaw, M., Abebe, F., Bedimo, M., Asrat, A., Gebeyehu, A., & Keno, A. (2016). Family history of hypertension increases risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women: a case-control study. UNIVERSA MEDICINA, 35(3), 181-191. WoS11 |
| - | Zelalem, A., Melkamu, B., Abebayehu, B., Sefineh, F., Anteneh, M., & Tewodros, N. (2022). Determinants of Death among COVID-19 Patients Admitted in Amhara Region COVID-19 Treatment Centers, Ethiopia, 2021, Unmatched Case Control Study. Journal of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, 8(3). |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Sata, E., Bieza, Y., Shiferaw, A., Melak, B., Aweke, S., Fissha, A., . . . Beyene, M. (2019). HOUSE-TO-HOUSE CASE FINDING FOR TRICHIASIS SURGERY IN AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA: AN END GAME STRATEGY. In AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE Vol. 101 (pp. 545). MD, National Harbor: AMER SOC TROP MED & HYGIENE. |
| 2016 | Beyene, M., Portier, P. -E., Atnafu, S., & Calabretto, S. (2016). Dataset Linking in a Multilingual Linked Open Data Context. In PROCEEDINGS OF THE 8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MANAGEMENT OF DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS (MEDES 2016) (pp. 149-157). FRANCE, Biarritz: ASSOC COMPUTING MACHINERY. DOI |
| 2015 | Beyene, M. B., & Beyene, H. B. (2015). Predictors of late diagnosis of HIV among HIV positive adults coming for initial CD4 T-cell count to public health facilities, Northern Ethiopia. In TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH Vol. 20 (pp. 171). WILEY-BLACKWELL. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Beyene, M. B., Visvanathan, R., Alemu, R., Sharew, N. T., Theou, O., Benyamin, B., . . . Amare, A. T. (2026). Development of a Multi-Trait Polygenic Score for Intrinsic Capacity. DOI |
| 2025 | Beyene, M. B., Visvanathan, R., Alemu, R., Theou, O., Benyamin, B., Cesari, M., . . . Amare, A. (2025). Associations and Interaction Effects of Socioeconomic, Lifestyle, and Genetic Factors on Intrinsic Capacity. DOI |
