Wondmagegne Whibesilassie has been named an assistant professor of practice within Texas Tech University’s Department of Natural Resources Management, according to Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources officials. He officially stepped into his new post on Sept. 1.
An expert in conservation and natural resource management, as well as biomimicry and bio-inspired design, he is a specialist in fostering student participation in both classroom and distance-learning environments. He joined the university in a variety of graduate student, research and teaching roles starting in 2011.
“I'm excited to bring my expertise in natural resources and wildlife management, conservation and bio-inspired design to the Department of Natural Resources Management,” Whibesilassie said. “I look forward to teaching students and collaborating with colleagues to advance our understanding and stewardship of natural resources.”
Some of the specific factors being explored in Whibesilassie’s research include sustainable resource management, conservation, and the application of biomimicry principles to solve environmental challenges.
Prior to taking his new faculty post, Whibesilassie served as a lecturer and instructor in both the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering and the Department of Natural Resources Management. Earlier he worked as department chair and lecturer of animal, rangeland and wildlife sciences at Mekelle University in Ethiopia.
He received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Alamaya University in Ethiopia and a master’s degree in systematic zoology from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. His doctorate in wildlife, aquatic and wildlands science and management is from Texas Tech. He has a graduate certificate in geographic information systems from Texas Tech, a Data Science: R Basics certificate from Harvard University, and a SPSS certificate, a statistical analysis program, from Texas Tech’s Information Technology Division.
Whibesilassie is a member of the Ecological Society of America, Society of Conservation Biology, The Wildlife Society, and the Ecological Society of Eastern Africa. In addition, he is an honorable editorial board member with the Digital Journal of Science, editorial board member of the Asian Journal of Conservation Biology, and an editorial board member of Journal of Ecology & Conservation.
Texas Tech’s Department of Natural Resources Management is home to 338 undergraduate and 63 graduate students, with 19 faculty members. The department has a long history of developing leaders in range, wildlife and fisheries management and supports links to relevant approaches in ranching and ranch management.
CONTACT: Richard Stevens, Interim Chair, President's Excellence in Research Professor and Professor of Natural Resources Management, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-6843 or richard.stevens@ttu.edu
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