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.
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Appointments
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 Competencies
Language Competency Amharic Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review -
Education
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 -
Postgraduate Training
Date Title Institution Country M.Sc in Tropical and Infectious Diseases Addis Ababa University Ethiopia PhD in virology The University of Adelaide Australia -
Research Interests
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Journals
Year Citation 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.
Scopus12022 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.
Scopus170 WoS91 Europe PMC1342022 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.
Scopus25 WoS15 Europe PMC232021 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.
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.
Scopus6 WoS3 Europe PMC32020 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.
Scopus7 WoS4 Europe PMC52019 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.
Scopus56 WoS36 Europe PMC372019 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.
Scopus11 WoS7 Europe PMC52019 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 PMC72019 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 PMC112018 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 PMC152017 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.
Scopus7 WoS8 Europe PMC72016 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.
Scopus20 WoS15 Europe PMC112015 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.
Scopus39 WoS25 Europe PMC252015 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.
Scopus41 WoS32 Europe PMC232015 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 PMC162015 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 PMC122015 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.
Scopus23 Europe PMC172014 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.
Scopus51 Europe PMC442014 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.
Scopus19 WoS15 Europe PMC132014 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.
Scopus38 WoS25 Europe PMC282014 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.
Scopus98 WoS83 Europe PMC782014 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.
Scopus44 Europe PMC392013 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.
Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC72013 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 PMC212013 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.
Scopus38 WoS37 Europe PMC332013 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.
Scopus89 WoS65 Europe PMC632013 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.
WoS112013 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 PMC62013 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 PMC82012 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.
Scopus47 WoS36 Europe PMC352011 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.
Scopus131 WoS99 Europe PMC1062011 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.
Scopus67 WoS56 Europe PMC472011 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.
Scopus98 WoS56 Europe PMC59- 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.
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 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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