Professional Summary
Dr. Mulugeta Genanu Kebede is an Ethiopian hydrologist, hydro-meteorologist, researcher, academic leader, and national disaster early warning professional with more than 15 years of experience in hydrology, water resources engineering, meteorology, climate science, remote sensing, disaster risk management, and early warning coordination. He currently serves as Head of the National Early Warning and Response Coordination Office at the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission. His career combines national public service, university teaching, research leadership, international scientific collaboration, and high-level hydrological and climate research. He has served at Arba Minch University, Arba Minch Water Technology Institute, Addis Ababa University, the Institute of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy, and the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission. His published work covers remote sensing-based river discharge estimation, ungauged river hydrology, evapotranspiration, climate variability, groundwater potential, lake water dynamics, CMIP6 climate projections, hydrological modelling, machine learning streamflow prediction, and hydro-climate risks in Ethiopia and high-mountain environments. His profile represents a rare combination of scientific excellence, national responsibility, academic service, and practical leadership in protecting communities through water, climate, and disaster early warning knowledge.
Key Expertise
Major Projects and Contributions
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Head of National Early Warning and Response Coordination Office – EDRMC
Leads national early warning and response coordination work at the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, supporting disaster preparedness, hydro-meteorological risk monitoring, early warning communication, and coordinated response for communities vulnerable to droughts, floods, climate extremes, and other disaster risks. -
Assistant Professor and Academic Leader – Addis Ababa University, IGSSA
Served as Assistant Professor at the Institute of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Unit, Addis Ababa University, contributing to teaching, research, MSc program coordination, unit leadership, and interim leadership of the Center for Space and Atmospheric Research. -
Hydrology and Meteorology Leadership – Arba Minch University
Served as Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Head of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, and Institutional Quality Assurance Coordinator at Arba Minch University and Arba Minch Water Technology Institute, strengthening teaching, curriculum delivery, research quality, and academic administration in meteorology, hydrology, and water sciences. -
Remote Sensing-Based River Discharge Estimation in High Mountain Regions
Conducted PhD-level and international research on estimating river discharge in high mountain and data-scarce environments using remote sensing-derived datasets, with important applications for hydrological monitoring, ungauged river analysis, and water resources assessment in complex terrain. -
Ungauged River Discharge Estimation Using Remote Sensing Datasets
Published research on discharge estimation for ungauged rivers flowing over complex high-mountain regions, helping advance hydrological methods where ground-based monitoring data are limited or unavailable. -
Remote Sensing-Based Evapotranspiration Estimation – Wonji Shoa Sugar Cane Estate
Contributed to remote sensing-based estimation of evapotranspiration using selected algorithms for the Wonji Shoa Sugar Cane Estate in Ethiopia, supporting irrigation water management, crop water use understanding, and agricultural water resources planning. -
Groundwater Potential Assessment in the Omo-Gibe Basin
Contributed to research on groundwater potential assessment using geospatial and analytical hierarchy process techniques in the Gomboro River Watershed of the Omo-Gibe Basin, Ethiopia, supporting water resources planning in data-scarce areas. -
Long-Term Water Dynamics Assessment of Abaya and Chamo Lakes
Co-authored research on remote sensing-based long-term assessment of water dynamics and influencing factors in Abaya and Chamo Lakes of the East African Rift Valley, contributing to lake monitoring, hydrological assessment, and environmental water management. -
Climate Variability and Crop Yield Analysis in Waghemra Zone
Worked on research analyzing climate variability and its impact on crop yield over Waghemra Zone, Ethiopia, linking hydro-climate information with agricultural productivity and livelihood resilience. -
CMIP6 Climate Model Evaluation and Climate Extremes in the Omo-Gibe Basin
Contributed to studies evaluating CMIP6 model performance, precipitation and temperature trends, and projected climate extreme events over the Omo-Gibe River Basin, supporting future climate risk assessment and water resources planning. -
Hydrological and Machine Learning Models for Streamflow Prediction
Co-authored research integrating conceptual hydrological models and machine learning approaches through output augmentation for improved streamflow prediction, strengthening modern hydrological forecasting and modelling capacity. -
International Scientific Training and Fellowship Experience
Completed advanced professional trainings and international scientific engagements in climate change, climate information services, tropical cyclone forecasting, hydro-meteorological disaster monitoring and warning, glacio-hydrological modelling, microwave and optical remote sensing, WASH systems strengthening, and frontier interdisciplinary sciences, including UCAS scholarship and Chinese Academy of Sciences PIFI visiting scientist experience. -
Professional Contribution to Water, Meteorology, Space Science and Disaster Risk Networks
Maintains professional engagement through Ethiopian and international societies related to meteorology, space science, water professionals, Tibetan Plateau studies, European geosciences, and hydraulic research, reflecting a career connected to both Ethiopian development needs and global scientific collaboration.