A professor prominent at the University of Addis Ababa has made history by becoming the first African Scientists to be elected a fellow of United Kingdom’s Royal Society in the society’s 357-year history.
Professor Sebsebe Demissew has won the distinction of being elected the first ever person from Sub-Saharan Africa to the roll of Fellows and Foreign Members of the Royal Society for his remarkable contributions to science.
The professor of Sebsebe has been made a Foreign Member of the prestigious society for his lifelong work promoting Ethiopian biodiversity, that as well directly benefits people in Ethiopia and across Africa, the university’s website says.
A professor of Plant Systematics and Biodiversity, and Executive Director of the Gullele Botanic Garden in Addis Ababa, Sebsebe joins the likes of Elon Musk and Jim Al-Khalili noble scientists who have been feted in the past for promoting Ethiopian biodiversity.
According to the university, the professor was delighted to become a Foreign Member, and he saw his election as an honor for all African scientists and collaborators.
“I hope that I will be able to use my membership of the Royal Society to further strengthen links between scientists in the UK and Africa in general, and those that aspire to be Future Leaders of African Independent Research, in particular,” he is quoted saying.
The Royal Society is a self-governing fellowship made up of eminent scientists, engineers and technologists from the UK and the Commonwealth countries.
photo credits by google
Story by Carolyne Nyokabi
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