Yohannes Messele

Dr Yohannes Messele

Grant-Funded Researcher (A)

School of Animal and Veterinary Science

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Dr. Messele began his research career in 2009 at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), where he progressed from Assistant Researcher to full Researcher, contributing to national ruminant health and productivity programs. He obtained two MSc degrees in Advanced Life Sciences and Veterinary Epidemiology before completing his PhD at the University of Adelaide in 2023. His PhD research focused on the genomic characterisation of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in beef cattle.

Since 2022, he has worked as a Research Assistant at the Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology (ACARE) and the School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide. In 2023, he started working as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Animal and Veterinary Science at the University of Adelaide.

Research Overview
Dr. Yohannes Messele is a multidisciplinary researcher with expertise in veterinary medicine, microbiology, bioinformatics, and epidemiology. His work integrates molecular techniques, whole-genome sequencing, and microbial ecology to address critical challenges in animal health and environmental sustainability, particularly in the context of livestock production systems.

Dr. Messele’s research is centred on two major areas:

  1. Antimicrobial Resistance and Molecular Epidemiology

    • Characterisation of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Salmonella) in livestock production systems

    • Investigation of resistance genes, plasmid replicons, and mobile genetic elements using whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics

    • Application of bioinformatics tools to study resistance evolution and dissemination across animal and environmental reservoirs

  2. Methane Mitigation in Ruminants

    • Evaluation of anti-methanogenic feed additives and biological interventions (e.g., bromoform, essential oils, phytogenic plants, probiotics)

    • Study of their impacts on rumen microbiota composition, with a focus on methanogen suppression and fermentation efficiency

    • Field trials and microbiome analyses aimed at reducing enteric methane emissions in beef cattle as part of broader climate change mitigation efforts

Dr. Messele's interdisciplinary background and commitment to translational science enable him to contribute effectively to global efforts in antimicrobial stewardship, sustainable animal production, and climate-smart agriculture.

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2023 - ongoing Postdoctoral Researcher University of Adelaide
    2022 - 2023 Research Assistant University of Adelaide
    2019 - 2019 Researcher Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
    2015 - 2019 Associate Researcher Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
    2009 - 2015 Assistant Researcher Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    Amharic Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
    Tigrinya Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2023 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    2016 Addis Ababa University Ethiopia MSc
    2014 Ritsumeikan University Japan MSc
    2008 Jimma University Ethiopia DVM

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    2025 Lawless, C., Kovacs, K., Mohammadi Dehcheshmeh, M., Ebrahimie, E., Messele, Y. E., Snowball, M., . . . McLelland, D. J. (2025). Higher Dietary Fibre Increases the Faecal Microbiome Diversity of Golden Lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia). Animals, 15(13), 1831.
    DOI
    2024 Girmay, G., Emeru, B. A., Tegegne, D. T., Bora, S. K., Gudeta, W. F., Dersso, B. S., . . . Messele, Y. E. (2024). Seroprevalence of bovine Herpesvirus-1, bovine viral diarrhoea virus, Neospora caninum and Coxiella burnetii in dairy cows in Ethiopia. BMC Research Notes, 17(1), 10 pages.
    DOI
    2023 Messele, Y. E., Trott, D. J., Hasoon, M. F., Veltman, T., McMeniman, J. P., Kidd, S. P., . . . Low, W. Y. (2023). Phylogenetic Analysis of Escherichia coli Isolated from Australian Feedlot Cattle in Comparison to Pig Faecal and Poultry/Human Extraintestinal Isolates. Antibiotics, 12(5), 895.
    DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC6
    2023 Messele, Y. E., Trott, D. J., Hasoon, M. F., Veltman, T., McMeniman, J. P., Kidd, S. P., . . . Low, W. Y. (2023). Phylogeny, Virulence, and Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Profiles of Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Australian Feedlot Cattle and Their Significance to Public and Environmental Health. Antibiotics, 12(7), 1122.
    DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC2
    2023 Messele, Y. E., Werid, G. M., & Petrovski, K. (2023). Meta-Analysis on the Global Prevalence of Tetracycline Resistance in Escherichia coli Isolated from Beef Cattle. Veterinary Sciences, 10(7), 479-1-479-12.
    DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC2
    2023 Messele, Y. E., Hasoon, M. F., Trott, D. J., Veltman, T., McMeniman, J. P., Kidd, S. P., . . . Petrovski, K. R. (2023). Correction: Messele et al. Longitudinal Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance among Enterococcus Species Isolated from Australian Beef Cattle Faeces at Feedlot Entry and Exit. Animals 2022, 12, 2690. Animals, 13(16), 2684.
    DOI
    2023 Werid, G. M., Hemmatzadeh, F., Miller, D., Reichel, M. P., Messele, Y. E., & Petrovski, K. (2023). Comparative Analysis of the Prevalence of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Cattle Populations Based on Detection Methods: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens, 12(8), 1067-1-1067-21.
    DOI Scopus9 WoS1 Europe PMC3
    2023 Werid, G. M., Miller, D., Hemmatzadeh, F., Messele, Y. E., & Petrovski, K. (2023). An overview of the detection of bovine respiratory disease complex pathogens using immunohistochemistry: emerging trends and opportunities. Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc, 36(1), 12-23.
    DOI Scopus6 Europe PMC5
    2022 Messele, Y. E., Alkhallawi, M., Veltman, T., Trott, D. J., McMeniman, J. P., Kidd, S. P., . . . Petrovski, K. R. (2022). Phenotypic and Genotypic Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Recovered from Feedlot Beef Cattle in Australia. Animals, 12(17), 1-15.
    DOI Scopus13 WoS6 Europe PMC8
    2022 Messele, Y. E., Hasoon, M. F., Trott, D. J., Veltman, T., McMeniman, J. P., Kidd, S. P., . . . Petrovski, K. R. (2022). Longitudinal Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance among Enterococcus Species Isolated from Australian Beef Cattle Faeces at Feedlot Entry and Exit. Animals, 12(19), 18 pages.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS2 Europe PMC9
    2021 Tegegne, D. T., Mamo, G., Waktole, H., & Messele, Y. E. (2021). Molecular characterization of virulence factors in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine subclinical mastitis in central Ethiopia. Annals of Microbiology, 71(1), 1-8.
    DOI Scopus10 WoS3
    2019 Messele, Y. E., Abdi, R. D., Tegegne, D. T., Bora, S. K., Babura, M. D., Emeru, B. A., & Werid, G. M. (2019). Analysis of milk-derived isolates of E. coli indicating drug resistance in central Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 51(3), 661-667.
    DOI Scopus16 WoS10 Europe PMC11
    2017 Messele, Y. E., Abdi, R. D., Yalew, S. T., Tegegne, D. T., Emeru, B. A., & Werid, G. M. (2017). Molecular determination of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from raw meat in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 16(1), 9 pages.
    DOI Scopus44 WoS29 Europe PMC29
    2015 Equar, M. Y., Tani, Y., & Mihara, H. (2015). Purification and Properties of Glycine Oxidase from <i>Pseudomonas putida</i> KT2440. JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE AND VITAMINOLOGY, 61(6), 506-510.
    DOI WoS6 Europe PMC4
    2012 Equar, Y., Gashaw, A., Pal, M., & Girmay, G. (2012). Prevalence of Bovine Fasciolosis, Amplitude of Liver Condemnation and Its Economic Impact in Municipal Abattoir of Mekelle, Ethiopia. International Journal of Livestock Research, 2(2), 196.
    DOI
    2012 Girmay, G., Pal, M., Deneke, Y., Weldesilasse, G., & Equar, Y. (2012). Prevalence and Public Health Importance of Bovine Tuberculosis in and Around Mekelle Town, Ethiopia. International Journal of Livestock Research, 2(2), 180.
    DOI
    - Hirpa, E. (n.d.). Isolation and Identification of Salmonella from Apparently Healthy Pet Dogs in Holeta Town, Western Shoa, Ethiopia. Current Trends in Biomedical Engineering &amp; Biosciences, 15(2).
    DOI
    - Alemayehu, A., Yilma, T., Yohannes, E., Mulisa, F., & Habtamu, A. (n.d.). Analysis of honey production systems in three agro-ecologies of Benishangul-Gumuz, Western Ethiopia. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 8(3), 29-38.
    DOI
    - Bezina, A. E., Yohannes, E. M., Desiye, T. T., Shimels, T. Y., Shelema, K. B., Mossisa, D. B., . . . Gebremeskel, M. W. (n.d.). Characterization of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis in Central Ethiopia. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, 11(4), 81-87.
    DOI

2023

Co-investigator: Methane throughout the beef cattle production cycle in southern Australia (AUD 1,605,601)

Co-investigator: Developing antimicrobial resistance index for beef cattle using whole genome sequencing (AUD 5000)

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Influence of Agolin and Maternal Bromoform Supplementation on the performance, health, and methane production of Angus weaners University of Adelaide BSc (Hons) Honours Full Time Kelly Will

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2022 - ongoing Member The Australian Society for Microbiology Australia
    2010 - ongoing Member Ethiopian Veterinary Association Ethiopia

  • Community Engagement
    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2021 - 2022 Secretary and Vice President Public Community Engagement Tigray Community Assoc. of South Australia Australia
  • Position: Grant-Funded Researcher (A)
  • Phone: 0413620102
  • Email: yohannes.messele@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: Roseworthy
  • Building: J.S. Davies Building, floor Ground Floor
  • Room: G31
  • Org Unit: School of Animal and Veterinary Science
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