
Eldana Bizuneh Chaklie
Department of Leather Product Engineering
Phone: (+251)912153559
Email: elduyod@gmail.com or Eldana.Bizuneh@bdu.edu.et
Passport: EP8959114
Gender: Female
Date of birth: 23/06/1996
Place of birth: Chilga, Ethiopia
Nationality: Ethiopian
About Myself
Emerging Researcher in Sustainable & Bio-based Materials
I am a Lecturer and Researcher in Leather Engineering with expertise in sustainable leather processing, Bio-based materials, Polymeric materials science, Nanomaterials, Biotechnology, Green supply chain, and Circular economy systems. My academic background integrates teaching, applied research, and innovation in eco-friendly tanning technologies, material science, and circular economy approaches within the leather, fashion, and textile sectors.
I have participated in international academic exchange programs in Germany and actively engage in research-related activities, conferences, and curriculum development. My research interest focuses on advancing sustainable materials systems and environmentally responsible industry processing.
I am seeking PhD study opportunities to further develop research in sustainable materials system, bio-based innovations, and circular economy applications in leather industry.
Education & Training
[18/09/2020 - 18/07/2023]: MSc. in Leather Products Design and Engineering, EiTEX, Bahir Dar University.
City: Bahir Dar | Country: Ethiopia | Field of study: Textiles (clothes, footwear and leather)
Final grade: 3.99 | Level in EQF: 7
Thesis: "Development and Performance Optimization of Cactus–Collagen Hybrid Biomaterial for Sustainable Leather Applications"
- Advanced training in leather engineering focused on sustainable tanning systems and materials science.
- Specialize in polymeric science, eco-friendly processing, life-cycle-analysis, and environmental management systems
- Developed research-oriented competencies through applied academic projects in leather product development
- Strengthening analytical and technical skills in leather materials characterization and processing technologies.
[16/09/2015 - 18/07/2019]: BSc. in Leather Engineering, EiTEX, Bahir Dar University.
City: Bahir Dar | Country: Ethiopia | Field(s) of study: Textiles (clothes, footwear and leather) | Final grade: 3.69 | Level in EQF: 6 |
Thesis: "Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract as a Sustainable Solution for Skins and Hides Unhairing"
- Comprehensive training in leather products engineering and industrial leather processing
- Studied leather manufacturing technologies, material science, and product design principles
- Developed foundational technical, analytical, and design skills in leather production systems
[01/03/2022 - 01/07/2022]: Academic Exchange in Business Management Flensburg University of Applied Science.
City: Flensburg | Country: Germany | Final grade: A | Level in EQF: 7
- International exposure
- Academic adaptability and flexibility
- Cross-cultural competence
- Stronger research/academic readiness and collaborations
[18/12/2020 - 18/10/2021]: Higher Diploma Program in Teaching (HDPE) Bahir Dar University
City: Bahir Dar | Field(s) of study: Teacher training without subject specialization
Level in EQF: 5
[04/12/2024 - 04/03/2025]: Master Class Training (MCT) Arizona University collaborate with Bahir Dar University. City: Bahir Dar | Country: Ethiopia | Field(s) of study: Education | Level in EQF: 4
[03/12/2025 - 13/01/2026]: Basic Test Construction (BTC) and Performance-Based Assessment PBA)
Bahir Dar University. City: Bahir Dar | Country: Ethiopia | Field(s) of study: Education | Level in EQF: 3
[20/11/2023 - 30/11/2023]: PeaceEducation (PE), Bahir Dar University collaborated with British Council and funded by theEuropean Union.
City: Bahir Dar | Country: Ethiopia | Field(s) of study: Education | Level in EQF: 3
[07/01/2021 - 07/06/2021]: Dream Builders, AWE with American Embassy, https://dreambuilder.org/
City: Bahir Dar | Country: Ethiopia | Field of study: Management and administration | Level in EQF: 5
Work Experience
[30/07/2019 - Current]: Lecturer in Leather Engineering
- Served as Department Chair Holder and Laboratory Professor of theleather processing research center.
- Organized and participated in academic conferences and professional events
- Engaged in curriculum development and delivery of undergraduate courses in Leather Products Engineering
- Student projectsand thesisresearch works supervising
- Engaged in research projects in quality assurance, circular economy, sustainable processing and materials systems in leather and textile industry
- Conducted applied research publications and supported dissemination of research findings in academic contexts
Skills
Technical Skills
Leather technology | Material Characterization (XRD, SEM, XPS, EDS, TGA, UV-Vis, FTIR) | biotechnology | polymer chemistry | LCA analysis | Materials testing | Design and Development
Research Skills
Academic Research and Writing | Experimental Design and Analysis | write scientific publications | Literature Reviews | Data Interpretation and Reporting | manage research and development projects | Data Science | Data Collection, Data Processing, Data Analysis, Data Visualization
Digital Skills
AutoCaD, ArchicaD, Google Sketchup, Photoshop, Indisigner. | Software (SPSS, Eviews, R programming, Expert Choice, Super Decision) | Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote | Design Expert (design of experiments) | Python/C++
Soft Skills
Academic supervision | Team collaboration | Communication and Presentation | Problem solving (problem analysis)
Language Skills
| Mother Tongue | Amharic | ||||
| Other Languages | LISTENING | READING | WRITING | SPOKEN PRODUCTION | SPOKEN INTERACTION |
| English | C2 | C2 | C2 | C1 | C2 |
| German | A2 | A2 | A1 | A1 | A1 |
Publications
[2025]: Prevalence and Quality of Common Skin Defects in Tanneries Around Bahir Dar, Reference: Memon, H., Chaklie, E.B. and Birhanu, M.M., 2025. Prevalence and Quality of Common Skin Defects in Tanneries Around Bahir Dar. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association.
[2024]: Opuntia ficus-indica Extract as a Sustainable Solution for Skins and Hides Unhairing, Reference: Memon, H., Chaklie, E.B., Birhanu, M.M. and Tesfie, M.H., 2024. Opuntia ficus-indica Extract as a Sustainable Solution for Skins and Hides Unhairing. Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, 119(9), pp.387-395.
[2021]: Study on Effect of Leather Rigidity and Thickness on Drapability of Sheep Garment Leather,Materials (14:16). 2021, Reference:Memon, H., Chaklie, E.B., Yesuf, H.M. and Zhu, C., 2021. Study on effect of leather rigidity and thickness on drapability of sheep garment leather. Materials, 14(16), p.4553.
[2025] :Expert Judgement Variability in Ethiopian Leather Quality Inspection, Reference: Chaklie, E.B and Muche, M., 2025. Expert Judgement Variability in Ethiopian Leather Quality Inspection: Implications for Automation and Standardisation. Journal of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists, 109(6), pp.285-290.
[2025]: Grape Waste as Leather-Like Material Alternative: A Comprehensive Review of AncientPractices, Current Technologies, and Future Trends, Reference: REVIEW Published Online: 26 January 2026 Grape Waste as Leather-Like Material Alternative: A Comprehensive Review of Ancient Practices, Current Technologies and Future Trends, 2026, Megabi Y., Atalay B.Tesfaye T., Katrikan R., Chaklie E.B., and Girma Z.
Recommendations
1. Name: Tamrat Tesfaye (PhD.) Scientific Director of EiTEX /Deputy Vice Chancellor of Bahir Dar University.
Professor, Academic Mentor, Research Advisor and Collaborator.
Phone number: +251 985416642
Email: tamrat_tsfy@yahoo.com
2. Name: Associate Professor Hafeezullah Memon (PhD.) CText FTI Distinguished Associate Professor, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
Professor, Academic Mentor, Research Advisor and Collaborator.
Phone number: +86 18616543630 |
Email: hafeezullah_m@yahoo.com
3. Name: Associate Professor Addisu Ferede (PhD.), Postdoctoral Research Associate, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Texas Tech University
Professor, Academic Mentor, Research Advisor and Collaborator.
Conferences & Seminars
l Engaged in multiple international conference on "Cotton, Textile, and Apparel Value Chain in Africa" Bahir Dar.
l Organized and participated in multiple "Sustainable Leather Manufacturung and Innovation (SLMI-National Coference)", focusing on bio-materials innovations, eco-friendly leather processing, and circular economy approaches Bahir Dar
l Engaged in academic seminars on sustainable leather processing, product development, and environmental management in the tanning industry Bahir Dar
l Contributed to knowledge exchange sessions on emerging trends in leather engineering and bio-based material applications Bahir Dar, Addis Ababa, Flensburg, Burlin, and Humburg.