Melak Getu Bire

Medical Laboratory Scientist & Bioinformatics Researcher

Addis Ababa, ET.

About

Highly accomplished Medical Laboratory Scientist and Bioinformatics Researcher with over 5 years of experience driving advancements in public health diagnostics and genomic surveillance. Expert in clinical laboratory diagnoses, advanced molecular techniques, and the development of bioinformatics pipelines for pathogen analysis. Proven ability to translate complex genomic data into actionable insights, enhance laboratory quality systems, and mentor scientific teams, significantly contributing to national disease control efforts.

Work

Ethiopian Public Health Institute

Bioinformatics Researcher, Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mar 2024→ Dec 2024

Summary

Leads whole genome sequencing data analysis for bacterial pathogens, developing bioinformatics pipelines and contributing to national genomic surveillance capacity.

Highlights

Directed whole genome sequencing data analysis for bacterial pathogens, ensuring high-quality outputs through robust QC, assembly, annotation, and comparative genomics, informing public health interventions.

Analyzed next-generation sequencing data to monitor antimicrobial resistance and pathogen diversity, providing critical insights for national surveillance programs.

Engineered and deployed bioinformatics pipelines using Bash, R, and Python, streamlining routine analyses and accelerating research project timelines.

Executed phylogenetic and population structure analyses, elucidating transmission dynamics of infectious diseases to guide epidemiological strategies.

Integrated complex bioinformatics results with phenotypic data, enhancing comprehensive interpretation for laboratory teams and improving diagnostic accuracy.

Mentored over 15 laboratory staff, MSc, and PhD students in bioinformatics tools, database utilization, and data interpretation, building internal capacity.

Contributed to national pathogen genomics projects, significantly expanding Ethiopia's genomic surveillance capacity and data-driven public health initiatives.

Authored and co-authored technical reports and manuscripts, leading to successful publication of 14 peer-reviewed articles on infectious disease epidemiology and drug resistance.

Ethiopian Public Health Institute

Assistant Researcher

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Nov 2019→ Feb 2024

Summary

Contributed to national research projects and laboratory quality initiatives, mentoring professionals and evaluating novel diagnostic methodologies.

Highlights

Contributed to the successful full-scope accreditation of the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, ensuring adherence to international quality standards.

Collaborated on national and international research projects, advancing methodologies in medical laboratory science and contributing to 10+ peer-reviewed publications.

Evaluated novel diagnostic methodologies, including Truenat and urine LF-LAM assays, improving detection accuracy and efficiency for tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.

Mentored over 20 laboratory professionals across regional diagnostic laboratories, enhancing their technical proficiency and quality assurance practices.

Facilitated research for MSc and PhD students, providing expert laboratory support and contributing to their academic and scientific development.

Developed and produced proficiency testing panels, strengthening the quality control systems for national laboratories and ensuring consistent diagnostic reliability.

Presented findings and insights at national TB workshops and conferences, contributing to knowledge dissemination and staying abreast of latest advancements in the field.

Ethiopian Public Health Institute

Junior Researcher

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Oct 2018→ Oct 2019

Summary

Conducted precise clinical laboratory diagnoses and tuberculosis testing, gaining hands-on experience in molecular diagnostics and data management.

Highlights

Performed precise clinical laboratory diagnoses, ensuring 98%+ accuracy and reliability in patient results for critical health decisions.

Executed a comprehensive range of tuberculosis tests, including AFB microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF assay, and culture, directly supporting the diagnosis and management of hundreds of TB cases annually.

Conducted advanced drug profile testing using diverse molecular mechanisms (LPA, phenotypic DST, Truenat assays), identifying drug resistance patterns crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Mastered core laboratory protocols for sequence analysis, including DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and gel electrophoresis, establishing foundational skills for genomic research.

Utilized public genomics databases for efficient information retrieval, data extraction, and accurate result interpretation, supporting research and diagnostic efforts.

Assisted in the development and preparation of proficiency testing panels, contributing to the enhancement of quality control systems across national laboratories.

Maintained strict adherence to data privacy regulations and best practices, ensuring the secure storage and confidentiality of sensitive biological data.

Volunteer

Education Supporter

Link Ethiopia

Supported educational initiatives in Ethiopia by tutoring students, assisting sponsored children, and advocating for educational access.

Highlights

Tutored and mentored students, improving academic performance and fostering a positive learning environment.

Supported sponsored children by identifying their needs and actively seeking out sponsors to ensure continued educational opportunities.

Collaborated and coordinated various activities to enhance educational programs and community engagement.

Advocated passionately for education, raising awareness and support for improved access and quality in Ethiopian schools.

Laboratory Testing Volunteer

COVID-19 Testing Volunteer

Contributed to public health efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic by conducting laboratory testing and ensuring safety protocols.

Highlights

Conducted critical laboratory testing for COVID-19, processing numerous samples to support timely diagnosis and public health response.

Adhered rigorously to stringent safety protocols and guidelines, ensuring a secure and compliant laboratory environment.

Collaborated effectively with healthcare professionals and laboratory teams to streamline testing workflows and enhance operational efficiency.

Played a direct role in public health efforts, contributing to disease surveillance and containment strategies during a global pandemic.

Education

Addis Ababa University

Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Bachelor of Science Medical Laboratory Science

BMC Infectious Diseases

Jan 2020

Languages

English

Certificates

Public Health Bioinformatics Fellowship

May 2025

Africa CDC

Quality Standards for Bioinformatics Analysis in Public Health Surveillance

Apr 2025

Africa CDC

Antimicrobial Databases and Genotype Prediction: The Data Sharing and Analysis Course

Dec 2024

Wellcome Connecting Science

Genomics for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in One Health Symposium

Mar 2024

Wellcome Connecting Science at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Johannesburg

Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacterial Pathogens Course

Mar 2024

Wellcome Connecting Science at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Johannesburg

R Basics & Beyond: Introduction to Health Data Analysis

Dec 2023

The Global Research and Analyses for Public Health (GRAPH) Network, University of Geneva

Training Course on Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Techniques for Developing Countries

Dec 2023

China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing

Bioinformatics for Biologists: An Introduction to Linux, Bash Scripting, and R

Aug 2023

Wellcome Connecting Science

Introduction to Bioinformatics Training 2023

Aug 2023

H3ABioNet

Ensembl REST API Workshop

Jul 2023

EMBL-EBI

Open Virtual Ensembl Browser Workshop

Jul 2023

EMBL-EBI

Second Advanced Bioinformatics Course

May 2023

Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute (EBTi) Ethiopia with EpiCass & CassavaNet4Dev

Genotype Product Series Mycobacteria based on DNA-Strip Technology

Sep 2020

Ethiopian Public Health Institute and Hain Life Science in Collaboration with USAID/MSH

Laboratory Quality Management System, Biosafety and Biosecurity

Jan 2020

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI)

Pathogen Asset Control System (PACS)

Aug 2019

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI)

Phenotypic Drug Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

May 2019

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) in collaboration with USAID/Challenge TB

Training of Trainer (TOT) on GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay and GX-Connectivity

Dec 2018

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI)

Line Probe Assay (MTBDRSL) for Drug Susceptibility Testing of Second Line Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs

Dec 2018

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) in collaboration with USAID/Challenge-TB project

Tuberculosis Culture and Identification

Nov 2018

Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) in collaboration with USAID/Challenge-TB project

Skills

Laboratory Techniques

AFB microscopy, Xpert MTB/RIF assay, Line Probe Assay (LPA), Phenotypic Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST), Truenat assays, LF-LAM, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), DNA extraction, PCR amplification, Gel electrophoresis.

Programming Languages

R, Bash Scripting, Python (Basic).

Bioinformatics & Data Analysis

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data analysis, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data analysis, Quality control, Genome assembly, Genome annotation, Comparative genomics, Phylogenetic analysis, Population structure analysis, Bioinformatics pipeline development, Public genomics databases, Data interpretation, Genomic surveillance.

Software & Tools

Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Google Drive, Google Docs, Zoom, Skype, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, Gmail, Linux, Ensembl REST API, Open Virtual Ensembl Browser.

Professional Skills

Teamwork, Decision-making, Written Communication, Verbal Communication, Organizational Skills, Planning Skills, Critical Thinking, Analytical Skills, Time Management, Mentorship, Problem-solving.

Melak Getu Bire

Medical Laboratory Scientist & Bioinformatics Researcher

About

Work

Ethiopian Public Health Institute

Ethiopian Public Health Institute

Ethiopian Public Health Institute

Volunteer

Education Supporter

Laboratory Testing Volunteer

Education

Addis Ababa University

Publications

Mapping the distribution of tuberculosis cases and associated factors identified through routine program implementation and community-based active screening in Central Ethiopia.

A smooth tubercle bacillus from Ethiopia phylogenetically close to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

Molecular epidemiology and drug sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in homeless individuals in the Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia.

Drug sensitivity of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its association with bacterial genotype in the Somali region, Eastern Ethiopia.

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance by Xpert® MTB/RIF assay among presumptive tuberculosis patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 2014 to 2021.

Pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Ethiopia: a laboratory-based surveillance study.

Magnitude of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, drug resistance and associated factors among presumptive tuberculosis patients at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Quality assurance practices in tuberculosis diagnostic health facilities in Ethiopia.

A glimpse into the genotype and clinical importance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria among pulmonary tuberculosis patients: The case of Ethiopia.

The Effect of Long-Term HAART on the Incidence of Tuberculosis Among People Living with HIV in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Matched Nested Case-Control Study.

The Epidemiology of first and second-line drug-resistance Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex common species: Evidence from selected TB treatment initiating centers in Ethiopia.

Incidence and predictors of extrapulmonary tuberculosis among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study.

Diagnostic accuracy of Truenat Tuberculosis and Rifampicin-Resistance assays in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Does Xpert® MTB/RIF assay give rifampicin resistance results without identified mutation? Review of cases from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Languages

English

Certificates

Public Health Bioinformatics Fellowship

Quality Standards for Bioinformatics Analysis in Public Health Surveillance

Antimicrobial Databases and Genotype Prediction: The Data Sharing and Analysis Course

Genomics for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in One Health Symposium

Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacterial Pathogens Course

R Basics & Beyond: Introduction to Health Data Analysis

Training Course on Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Techniques for Developing Countries

Bioinformatics for Biologists: An Introduction to Linux, Bash Scripting, and R

Introduction to Bioinformatics Training 2023

Ensembl REST API Workshop

Open Virtual Ensembl Browser Workshop

Second Advanced Bioinformatics Course

Genotype Product Series Mycobacteria based on DNA-Strip Technology

Laboratory Quality Management System, Biosafety and Biosecurity

Pathogen Asset Control System (PACS)

Phenotypic Drug Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis

Training of Trainer (TOT) on GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay and GX-Connectivity

Line Probe Assay (MTBDRSL) for Drug Susceptibility Testing of Second Line Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs

Tuberculosis Culture and Identification

Skills

Laboratory Techniques

Programming Languages

Bioinformatics & Data Analysis

Software & Tools

Professional Skills

Interests

Community Service

Health & Wellness

Travel