
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:
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Antimicrobial Resistance and Molecular Epidemiology
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Characterisation of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Salmonella) in livestock production systems
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Investigation of resistance genes, plasmid replicons, and mobile genetic elements using whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics
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Application of bioinformatics tools to study resistance evolution and dissemination across animal and environmental reservoirs
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Methane Mitigation in Ruminants
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Evaluation of anti-methanogenic feed additives and biological interventions (e.g., bromoform, essential oils, phytogenic plants, probiotics)
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Study of their impacts on rumen microbiota composition, with a focus on methanogen suppression and fermentation efficiency
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Field trials and microbiome analyses aimed at reducing enteric methane emissions in beef cattle as part of broader climate change mitigation efforts
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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.
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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
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Journals
Year Citation 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.
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.
Scopus4 Europe PMC42023 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.
Scopus4 Europe PMC22023 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.
Scopus2 Europe PMC22023 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.
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.
Scopus8 WoS1 Europe PMC32023 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.
Scopus6 Europe PMC42022 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.
Scopus13 WoS6 Europe PMC72022 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.
Scopus10 WoS2 Europe PMC82021 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.
Scopus10 WoS32019 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.
Scopus15 WoS10 Europe PMC102017 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.
Scopus44 WoS29 Europe PMC282015 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.
WoS6 Europe PMC42012 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.
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.
- 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 & Biosciences, 15(2).
- Lawless, C., Kovacs, K., Mohammadi Dehcheshmeh, M., Ebrahimie, E., Messele, Y. E., Snowball, M., . . . McLelland, D. J. (n.d.). Higher Dietary Fibre Increases the Faecal Microbiome Diversity of Golden Lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia). Animals, 15(13), 1831.
- 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.
- 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.
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)
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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
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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
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