Azene Tesfaye Desta

Assistant Professor / PhD Researcher in Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics at the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP). My research examines how bacterial chromosomal architecture shapes evolutionary dynamics, with particular emphasis on the spatial organization of insertion sequences (IS) and their influence on molecular evolutionary rates. Using large-scale comparative genomic analyses, I investigate deterministic relationships between genome structure and variation in non-synonymous substitution rates in niche-specialized bacterial pathogens. This work contributes to a predictive framework for understanding heterogeneous selective pressures and evolutionary velocity across bacterial genomes. A full manuscript describing these findings is currently in preparation. In parallel, I am developing a conceptual model for functional genome partitioning that distinguishes adaptive hotspots, recombination-enriched regions, and evolutionarily conserved metabolic zones.My research is supported by integrated wet- and dry-laboratory experience, including experimental design, sample handling, nucleic acid extraction, PCR, sequencing-based analyses, and downstream bioinformatics workflows encompassing genome assembly, annotation, comparative genomics, and statistical analysis of molecular evolution. Together, this combined experimental and computational background enables end-to-end investigation from data generation to evolutionary interpretation.Professor Assistente / Pesquisador de Doutorado em Genômica Comparativa e Evolutiva na Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP). Minha pesquisa investiga como a arquitetura cromossômica bacteriana influencia a dinâmica evolutiva, com ênfase na organização espacial de sequências de inserção (IS) e em seu impacto sobre as taxas de evolução molecular. Por meio de análises genômicas comparativas em larga escala, estudo relações determinísticas entre a estrutura do genoma e a variação nas taxas de substituições não sinônimas em patógenos bacterianos especializados em nichos específicos. Este trabalho contribui para o desenvolvimento de um arcabouço preditivo para a compreensão de pressões seletivas heterogêneas e da velocidade evolutiva ao longo dos genomas bacterianos. Um manuscrito completo descrevendo esses resultados encontra-se atualmente em preparação. Paralelamente, desenvolvo um modelo conceitual de particionamento funcional do genoma que distingue hotspots adaptativos, regiões enriquecidas em recombinação e zonas metabolicamente conservadas do ponto de vista evolutivo.Minha pesquisa é sustentada por experiência integrada em laboratório úmido e seco, incluindo desenho experimental, manipulação de amostras, extração de ácidos nucleicos, PCR, análises baseadas em sequenciamento e fluxos de trabalho bioinformáticos para montagem, anotação e genômica comparativa, bem como análises estatísticas de evolução molecular. Esse conjunto de competências experimentais e computacionais permite uma abordagem completa, desde a geração dos dados até a interpretação evolutiva.

Informações coletadas do Lattes em 24/04/2026

Acadêmico

Formação acadêmica

Doutorado em andamento em Graduate Program in Biotechnology, Center for Research in Biological Scienc

2025 - Atual

Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto
Título: Spatial Genome Architecture and Host-Specific Adaptation in Bacterial Pathogens: Molecular Mechanisms and Predictive Frameworks
Orientador: Leandro Marcio Moreira
Bolsista do(a): Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, CAPES, Brasil.

Mestrado em Genetics

2011 - 2014

Haramaya University
Título: investigating the impact of environmental stress (salt tolerance) on gene expression of the Ethiopian Lentil genotype., Ano de Obtenção: 2014
Orientador: Yohannes Petros
Bolsista do(a): Minstry of Education, Ethiopia, MOE, Etiópia.

Graduação em biology

2008 - 2011

Debre Birhan University
Título: current status of Ethiopia Biodiversity (prespective current status, future directions)
Bolsista do(a): Ministry of Education, MOE, Etiópia.

Idiomas

Inglês

Compreende Bem, Fala Bem, Lê Bem, Escreve Bem.

Português

Compreende Pouco, Fala Pouco, Lê Pouco, Escreve Pouco.

Amarico

Compreende Bem, Fala Bem, Lê Bem, Escreve Bem.

Áreas de atuação

Grande área: Ciências Biológicas / Área: Genética / Subárea: Evolutionary and Comparative Genomics.

Produções bibliográficas

HADGU, RISHAN ; HUSEN, AHMED ; MILKIYAS, ESAYAS ; ALEMAYOH, NIGUSE ; ZEMOY, ROBEL ; TESFAYE, AZENE ; TADESSE, DAGIMAWIE ; MANILAL, ASEER ; ALEMAYEHU, AKLILU . Prevalence, severity and associated risk factors of anemia among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults in Sawla General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study. PLoS One , v. 18, p. e0284505, 2023.
TESFAYE, AZENE ; FEKADU, ADDISU ; BEYENE, KASSAW ; GIRMA, ABEBE ; GEMEDA, BIRHANU ; TEMESGEN, GEBREMARYAM ; WOLDE, FISTUM ; MULUGETA, EYOB ; MANILAL, ASEER . Ethno-pharmacological investigations of Moringa stenopetala Bak. Cuf. and its production challenges in southern Ethiopia. PLoS One , v. 17, p. e0274678, 2022.
TESFAYE, AZENE . Genetic divergence and cluster analysis for bulb yield and related traits in garlic ( ) accessions at Dorze, southern Ethiopia. Agrosystems Geosciences & Environment , v. 5, p. 7, 2022.
GOEL, CHARU ; SHAKIR, CHIPPU ; TESFAYE, AZENE ; RAGHAVANPILLAI SABU, KUZHUNELLIL ; IDHAYADHULLA, AKBAR ; MANILAL, ASEER ; WOLDEMARIAM, MELAT ; VIJAYAN, NAYANA ; SHAH, SHABNA . Antibiofilm Potential of Alpha-Amylase from a Marine Bacterium, Pantoea agglomerans. Canadian Journal Of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology , v. 2022, p. 1-10, 2022.
TESFAYE, AZENE ; TESHOME, TADEGEW . Prevalence and Associated Factors of Malaria Infection among Outpatients Visiting Shewa Robit Health Center, Northcentral Ethiopia. Journal of Tropical Medicine , v. 2022, p. 1-8, 2022.
KYU, HMWE HMWE ; VONGPRADITH, AVINA ; SIROTA, SARAH BROOKE ; NOVOTNEY, AMANDA ; TROEGER, CHRISTOPHER E ; DOXEY, MATTHEW C ; BENDER, ROSE G ; LEDESMA, JORGE R ; BIEHL, MOLLY H ; ALBERTSON, SAMUEL B ; FROSTAD, JOSEPH JON ; BURKART, KATRIN ; BENNITT, FIONA B ; ZHAO, JEFF T ; GARDNER, WILLIAM M ; HAGINS, HAILEY ; BRYAZKA, DANA ; DOMINGUEZ, REGINA-MAE VILLANUEVA ; ABATE, SEMAGN MEKONNEN ; Tesfaye Azene ; et.al . Age-sex differences in the global burden of lower respiratory infections and risk factors, 1990-2019: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES , v. 22, p. 1626-1647, 2022.
TESFAYE, AZENE . Revealing the Therapeutic Uses of Garlic (Allium sativum) and Its Potential for Drug Discovery. THE SCIENTIFIC WORLD JOURNAL , v. 2021, p. 1-7, 2021.
TESFAYE, AZENE . Genetic Variability, Heritability, and Genetic Advance Estimates in Garlic (Allium sativum) from the Gamo Highlands of Southern Ethiopia. International Journal of Agronomy , v. 2021, p. 1-8, 2021.
BANTE, AGEGNEHU ; MERSHA, ABERA ; TESFAYE, AZENE ; TSEGAYE, BEHAILU ; SHIBIRU, SHITAYE ; AYELE, GISTANE ; GIRMA, MESERET . Adherence with COVID-19 Preventive Measures and Associated Factors Among Residents of Dirashe District, Southern Ethiopia. Patient Preference and Adherence , v. Volume 15, p. 237-249, 2021.

Projetos de pesquisa

2023 - Atual

Molecular Charcatrization of Moringa stenopetala, Descrição: This project aims to identify elite Moringa stenopetala accessions by integrating molecular characterization, nutritional profiling, and evaluation of biological activities. Genetic diversity among 94 accessions from southern Ethiopia will be assessed using DArTseq SNP markers, followed by the selection of representative, high-performing accessions. Selected accessions will undergo nutritional analysis and pharmacological evaluation, including antimicrobial and medicinal bioassays. Bioactive compounds will be identified using advanced analytical techniques, and results will support product standardization and value-chain analysis to enhance the sustainable production and utilization of Moringa stenopetala.. , Situação: Em andamento; Natureza: Pesquisa. , Integrantes: Azene Tesfaye Desta - Coordenador.
2022 - 2023

Hepatitis B Seroprevalence and Risk Factors in Pregnant Women Gamo Zone, Ethiopia, Situação: Concluído; Natureza: Pesquisa. , Integrantes: Azene Tesfaye Desta - Coordenador.
2016 - 2017

Genetics Diversity of Ethiopia Garlic, Situação: Desativado; Natureza: Pesquisa. , Integrantes: Azene Tesfaye Desta - Coordenador.

Prêmios

2025

Short term Research Awards, University of Almeria.

2023

Different research project awards, Arba Minch University.

2022

Short term trainings awrads, Armauer Hansen Research Institute: Home.

Histórico profissional

Endereço profissional

Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas, Graduate Program in Biotechnology. , Campus Universitário ? Morro do Cruzeiro Rua Professor Paulo Magalhães Gomes, 122, Ouro Preto, 35400000 - Ouro Preto, MG - Brasil, Telefone: (55) 35402145, URL da Homepage:

Experiência profissional

2018 - 2025

Arba Minch University

Vínculo: Civil servant, Enquadramento Funcional: Assistant Professor, Carga horária: 40, Regime: Dedicação exclusiva.

Outras informações:
Research Leadership: Directed laboratory experiments and research projects, integrating morphological and molecular approaches to study genetic diversity and adaptation.Academic Mentorship Teaching: Supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students and taught courses in Genetics and Molecular Biology, providing guidance in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific reporting.Project Management: Coordinated laboratory workflows, including sample collection, processing, and quality control, ensuring accurate and reproducible results.Research Implementation: Applied experimental and analytical techniques to generate actionable insights in biodiversity, genetics, and population structure studies.

2013 - 2018

Arba Minch University

Vínculo: Civil servant, Enquadramento Funcional: Associate Researcher, Carga horária: 48, Regime: Dedicação exclusiva.

Outras informações:
Conducted research on morphological trait analysis and phenotypic variation to investigate genetic diversity and population structure.Analyzed morphological data to support accession characterization, classification, and selection.Coordinated research activities and data management and assisted in the training of undergraduate students.

2025 - Atual

Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto

Vínculo: Scholarship, Enquadramento Funcional: PhD reseacher, Regime: Dedicação exclusiva.

Outras informações:
Assistant Professor / PhD Researcher conducting advanced studies in Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics, with a focus on bacterial chromosome architecture, insertion sequence organization, and molecular evolution rates. Lead computational analyses, genome annotation, and the development of predictive models for functional genome partitioning and adaptive genomic regions. Integrate theoretical and computational approaches to address complex questions in pathogen evolution, providing enId-to-end research leadership from data interpretation to conceptual model development.

Atividades

08/2025
Pesquisa e desenvolvimento, Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Biológicas.Linhas de pesquisa