EPHREM DEMEKE ORTAGO
State University of Zanzibar
Milan
1
Language
2
years of professional experience
Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics MSc student at the University of Milan with a BSc in Bioscience and Biotechnology from the University of Camerino. Research experience in environmental microbiology and molecular biology through an international bachelor's thesis project in Zanzibar involving environmental sampling, microplastic isolation, microbial culturing, DNA extraction and MALDI-TOF-based microbial identification. Interested in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics and data-driven biological research.
Work History
Bachelor’s Thesis Research
3 Months- Investigation of microplastic contamination in Zanzibar marine environment and plastic-associated microorganisms potentially pathogenic or useful in bioremediation
- Conducted marine environmental sampling at three coastal sites in Zanzibar under different levels of anthropogenic pressure.
- Collected and processed sand and water samples along coastal transects and recorded temperature, tidal conditions and GPS coordinates.
- Isolated microplastics using high-salinity density separation and filtration, followed by microscopic examination.
- Performed microbial culturing from filtered environmental samples and preserved cultivable microorganisms using glycerol.
- Performed DNA extraction from environmental samples using a commercial DNA extraction kit and stored extracted DNA for downstream analysis.
- Contributed to identification and characterization of plastic-associated microorganisms using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.
- Contributed to research documentation, project presentations and material-transfer/ethical authorization activities within an international collaboration between the University of Camerino and State University of Zanzibar.
Erasmus+ Study Programme
1 Year- Completed a full-semester Erasmus+ study programme and participated in collaborative academic projects and presentations.
Education
MSc - Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
BSc - Bioscience and Biotechnology — Biotechnology Curriculum
Skills
Molecular & Laboratory: DNA extraction
Microbial culturing
Sample preparation and processing
Filtration
Microscopy
Microbial preservation
Microbiology & Environmental Research: environmental sampling
Marine sediment sampling
Microplastic isolation
Experimental research
Scientific literature research
Instrumentation & Data: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
R programming
Data analysis
Microsoft Office
Interests
Molecular biology
Microbiology
Genomics
Bioinformatics
Environmental biotechnology
Microbial biotechnology
Data-driven biological research
ACADEMIC AWARD
Wolaita Liqa High School — Best scorer in school in the Ethiopian University Entrance Examination (2019)
LANGUAGES
- Wolaita (native)
- Amharic (native)
- English (fluent)
- Italian (A2 speaking / B2 listening)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
References available upon request
Timeline
Bachelor’s Thesis Research
State University of Zanzibar
03.2024 - 06.2024Read More
Erasmus+ Study Programme
Pavol Jozef Šafárik University
01.2022 - 01.2023Read More
University of Camerino
BSc from Bioscience and Biotechnology — Biotechnology Curriculum
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University of Milan
MSc from Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
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