Ethiopia"During my two years stay as a graduate student of MEDFOR program I have had unforgettable experience while I was studied in three different countries with wonderful friends of classmates comes from all the continent. MEDFOR provides me an amazing and pleasant time to learn, sharing experiences and to work in three high profile institution of three countries, which was an amazing experience. University of Padova (Italy), University of Valladolid (Spain) and Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel) for first year, second year, and research internship, respectively. This was realised with a superb organization by University of Lisbon. Winter school and summer school are special and enjoyable events of MEDFOR program where students from all partner universities come together. The interesting and at the mean time challenging two years concluded with good memory, now I believe that the knowledge, skill and experience I acquired during my study time promoted my academic career one step ahead. Prise to God and thanks for all institutions and everyone in the process." July 2019
"Overall, MEDFOR was a big step up in my academic career with interesting opportunity to study in three top higher institutions in three countries. First year University of Padova (Italy), second year University of Valladolid (Spain), Second year 2nd semester Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel). In all three institutions I had memorable study time with a very international group of good friends of class mates, teaching and research staffs. I gratefully thank you all! With you all, following my successful accomplishment of the international MSC in MEDFOR program now I started my PhD in Free University of Bolzano." December 2019.
More on his internship experience here
More on his thesis defense here.
December 2019. Starting a PhD in Free University of Bolzano
16 June 2020. "Currently, I am a PhD fellow at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano, Italy (https://www.unibz.it/). Our research group focus is on ‘Ecology, Environment and Protection of Mountain Areas’, while my PhD research project focused on forest ecology. The topic I am working is titled ‘HOW DOES FOREST STRUCTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECT INTRINSIC WATER-USE EFFICIENCY AND GROWTH POTENTIAL OF SCOT PINE (PINUS SYLVESTRIS L.) TREES ALONG CLIMATE ZONE GRADIENT’. The project takes part under the framework of a ‘Horizon 2020 European research project’ titled ‘Carbon smart forestry under climate change (CARE4C)’.
With the emphasis on the following research questions
- Does the tree’s intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) physiological response show differences based on the forest structures (species composition and density)? Are these differences more noticeable during the critical drought period?
- Does the seasonal climatic signals that control tree-ring δ13C and the corresponding WUEi show difference along the climate zone gradient?
- Do the nature of WUEi and radial growth relationship show significant differences among forest type and along climate zone gradient?
I am working on this topic under the supervision of professor Tonon Giustino and the dynamic multidisciplinary research team in his laboratory."
