CWRM/ACEWM Celebrates Dr. Seblework Mekonen for Pioneering Research in Water and Public Health

The Center for Water Resources Management (CWRM)/Africa Center of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM) at Addis Ababa University is proud to announce that Dr. Seblework Mekonen, Associate Professor and Lead Researcher in Pollution, Risk Assessment and Mitigation, has been named the recipient of the Senior Public Health Research Award by the Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA). The award was presented at EPHA’s 37th Annual Conference in 2026, a premier gathering that convenes the nation’s leading health professionals, researchers, and policymakers.

Dr. Seblework, a home-base faculty member at CWRM/ACEWM, received the award from H.E. Dr. Dereje Dhiguma, State Minister of Health, in recognition of her significant contributions to environmental health research. Her work has been instrumental in advancing the understanding of water quality challenges and their direct impact on community health, a critical intersection that lies at the heart of Center’s mission.

Dr. Seblework’s research portfolio spans pollution monitoring, health risk assessment, and the development of mitigation strategies. Her recent and award-winning investigations have focused on the contamination of water sources with emerging pollutants, heavy metals, and microbial pathogens, and their links to public health burdens in Ethiopian communities. Her research has not only generated vital scientific data but has also informed policy discussions on water safety and pollution control.

Upon receiving the award, Dr. Seblework emphasized the collective nature of scientific progress:
“Research is never a solitary journey. This recognition belongs equally to my colleagues, research partners, and students—past and present—whose tireless efforts and shared vision are woven into every finding. For me, this award is not a personal milestone, but a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility. In the fields of water and public health, true success is measured by lives improved, environmental contamination prevented, and disease burdens reduced. I hope our work continues to contribute to a healthier, more resilient Ethiopia.”

The leadership of CWRM/ACEWM expressed profound pride in Dr. Seblework’s achievement. Her dedication and scholarship serve as a cornerstone of the Center’s efforts to build capacity, drive innovation, and foster interdisciplinary solutions to Africa’s water and health challenges.
ACEWM also extended its sincere gratitude to the Ethiopian Public Health Association for providing a distinguished platform that has championed excellence in public health research for decades.