Personal information

Name:  Metadel Kassahun ABERA

Date of birth:  25 MAR 1980

Place of birth: Debre tabor, Ethiopia

Nationality:  Ethiopian

Sex: male

Telephone No.:  Mobile: 0900418808

E-mail: metadelk@yahoo.com 

Educational information  

Professional experience

Awards/Honors

• The first prize of the scholastic award for the year 2001/2002 from the Ethiopian society of chemical engineers (ESCHE) for an outstanding achievement as third year chemical engineering student at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.
• The third prize of the scholastic award for the year 2002/2003 from the Ethiopian society of chemical engineers (ESCHE) for an outstanding achievement as fourth year chemical engineering student at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia.

Scholarships

• Postdoctoral research full scholarship for 3 years from Oct 2014 to Sep 2017. 

       Funding source: Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (FWO), Belgium

• Full scholarship to study predoctoral program (1 year) and a doctoral program (4 years). From 1 October, 2008 to 30 September 2013.

              Funding source: KU Leuven, Belgium

• Full scholarship to study Master of Science (MSR) at Indian Institute of technology, Delhi. From July, 2005 to June, 2007.

         Funding source: Ethiopian ministry of Education (MOE)

Articles published in internationally reviewed academic journals

1. Habtamu Gebremichael Daba, Mulugeta Admasu Delele, Solomon Workneh Fanta^, Nigus Gabbiye Habtu, Metadel Kassahun Abera (2023). Impact of traditional processing conditions and methods on the aflatoxin content of cooked maize. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2023.2297516
2. Zinash Tadesse Bonger, Metadel Kassahun Abera, Takele Ayanaw Habitu, Agimassie Agazie Abera, Mesfin Wogayehu Tenagashaw, Abebaw Teshome Tiruneh, Sadik Jemal Awol, Tadele Andargie Wudineh, Deginet Teferi Asres & Tadesse Fenta Yehuala (2023).Isolation and identification of dominant lactic acid bacteria and yeast species from teff (Eragrostis teff) injera dough fermentation. https://doi.org/10.1080/19476337.2023.2276830
3. Gashaw Tessera, Nigus Gabiye Habtu and Metadel Kassahun Abere (2023). Process Optimization for Aqueous Ethanosolv Pretreatment of Coffee Husk Biomass Using Response Surface Methodologyhttps://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2023.2257886
4. Gedefaw Asmare Tafete, Metadel Kassahun Abera and Ganesh Thothtadri (2022). Review on nanocellulose-based materials for supercapacitors applications. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2021.103938
5. Gedefaw Asmare Tafete, Ganesh Thothtadri and Metadel Kassahun Abera (2022). A review on carbon nanotube-based composites for electrocatalyst applications. https://doi.org/10.1080/1536383X.2022.2028278
6. Retta, M., Abera, M., Berghuijs, B., Verboven, P., Struik P., Nicolai, B., (2020).  In silico study of the role of cell growth factors on photosynthesis using a virtual leaf tissue generator coupled to a microscale photosynthesis gas exchange model. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erz451,
7. Abera, M., Aregawi, W., Ho, Q., Rogge, S., Delele, M., Ambaw, A., Verboven,P., Nicolai, B., (2015). Multiscale Modeling of Food Processes. Reference Module in Food Sciences. Elsevier, pp. 1–12. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-100596-5.03126-7.
8. Abera, M., Verboven, P., Herremans, E., Defraeye T., Fanta, S., Ho, Q., Carmeliet, J., Nicolai, B. (2014). 3D Virtual Fruit Tissue Generation Based on Cell Growth Modelling. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 7(2), 542-555.
9. Fanta. S., Abera M., Ho Q., Verboven P., Carmeliet J., Nicolai B., (2013). Microscale modeling of water transport in fruit tissue. Journal of Food Engineering, 118(2), 229–237
10. Abera, M., Fanta, S., Verboven, P., Ho, Q., Carmeliet, J., Nicolai, B. (2013). Virtual Fruit Tissue Generation Based on Cell Growth Modeling. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 6:859–869. (DOI: 10.1007/s11947-011-0775-4).
11. Ho, Q., Verboven, P., Fanta, S., Abera, M., Retta, M., Herremans, E., Defraeye, T., Nicolai, B. (2013). A multiphase pore scale network model of gas exchange in apple fruit. Food and Bioprocess Technology, DOI 10.1007/s11947-012-1043-y.
12. Verboven, P., Nemeth, A., Abera, M., Bongaers, E., Daelemans, D., Estrade, P., Herremans, E., Hertog, M., Saeys, W., Vanstreels, E., Verlinden, B., Leitner, M., Nicolai, B. (2013). Optical coherence tomography visualizes microstructure of apple peel. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 78, 123-132.
13. Fanta, S, Vanderlinden, W., Abera, M., Verboven, P., Karki, R., Ho, Q., De Feyter, S., Carmeliet, J., Nicolaï, B. (2012). Water transport properties of artificial cell walls. Journal of Food Engineering, 108 (3), 393-402.
14. Fanta S., Abera M., Aregawi W., Ho Q., Verboven P., Carmeliet J., Nicolai B. (2013). Microscale modeling of coupled water transport and mechanical deformation of fruit tissue during dehydration. Journal of Food Engineering, 124, 86–96.
15. Abera M., Verboven, P., Defraeye, T., Fanta, S., Hertog, M., Carmeliet, J., Nicolai, B. (2014). A plant cell division algorithm based on biomechanics and ellipse fitting. Annals of Botany. doi: 10.1093/aob/mcu078.
16. Aregawi W*., Abera M*., Fanta S., Verboven P., Nicolai B., (2014). Prediction of water loss and viscoelastic deformation of apple tissue using a multiscale model. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter6 (46), Art.No. 464111. (* joint first authors)
17. Verboven P., Herremans, E., Helfen L., Ho QT., Abera M.,  Baumbach T., Wevers M., Nicolai B., (2015). Synchrotron X-ray computed laminography of the 3-D anatomy of tomato leaves. The Plant Journal, 81 (1), 169-182.
18. Herremans E., Verboven P., Verlinden B., Cantre D., Abera M., Wevers M., Nicolaï B., (2015). Automatic analysis of the 3-D microstructure of fruit parenchyma tissue using X-ray micro-CT explains differences in aeration. BMC Plant Biology, 15 (264), Art.No. 10.1186/s12870-015-0650-y, 1-14..
19. Abera M., Verboven P., Aregawi W., Carmeliet J, Nicolai B.,. 3D Plant Cell Division Algorithm Based on Cell Biomechanics and Ellipsoid Fitting. Working paper.
20. Abera M., Verboven P., Aregawi W., Nicolai B.,. Determination of cell wall properties using a micro-mechanical compression model of apple tissue. Working paper

Papers at international scientific conferences and symposia, published in full in proceedings

1. Tsegaye Mekuria Ayele, Metadel Kasshun Abera, Tsehayneh Geremew Yohannes, Gizachew Muluneh Abera and Amha Belay. Recent Advances in Microalgae Biomass Drying, Pre-treatment and Extraction of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs): A Review, ICAST 2023.
2. Gashaw Muluken Tessera, Nigus Gibiye Habtu, Kefyalew Dagnaw Addisu, Metadel Kassahun Abera and Fentahun Woldesenbet. Microwave-assisted Hydrothermal Pretreatment of Coffee Husk: Process Parameter Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology. ICAST 2023.
3. Gedefaw Asmare Tafete, Nigus Gabiye Habtu, Metadel Kasshun Abera, Temesgen Atnafu Yemata and Kurabachew Simon Duba. Hydrothermally Synthesized Nitrogen-doped Porous Carbon from sawdust biomass as Electrode of Supercapacitors. Hydrothermally Synthesized Nitrogen-doped Porous Carbon from sawdust biomass as Electrode of Supercapacitors. ICAST 2023.
4. Addis Lemessa, Melkamu Birlie, Metadel Kassahun, Yared Mengistu,” Process Revamping of H2SO4 Plant to Double Contact Double Absorption (DCDA) Using ASPEN HYSYS to Reduce SO2 Emission: Case of Awash Melkassa Sulfuric Acid Factory”, ICAST,2021. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93709-6_5
5. Abera MK., Verboven P., Nicolai B. (2017). Determination of cell wall elastic modulus using a micro-mechanical compression model of apple tissue. In: Acta Horticulturae: vol. 1182 (275-280). ISBN: 9789462611788. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2017.1182.33.
6. Abera MK., Wang Z., Verboven P., Nicolai B. (2017). Microstructure based hygromechanical modelling of deformation of fruit tissue. In: Brabazon D., Naher S., Ahad IU. (Eds.), PROCEEDINGS OF THE 20TH INTERNATIONAL ESAFORM CONFERENCE ON MATERIAL FORMING (ESAFORM 2017) (Eds.): vol. 1896 (Paper No. UNSP 150005-1). Presented at the 20th International ESAFORM Conference on Material Forming, Dublin City Univ, Dublin, IRELAND, 26 Apr 2017-28 Apr 2017. doi: 10.1063/1.5008173.
7. Abera, M., Fanta, S., Verboven, P., Van Liedekerke , P., Nicolaï , B. and Carmeliet, J. (2011). Virtual fruit tissue generation using cell growth modeling. Acta Hort. (ISHS) 919:107-114
8. Fanta, S., Abera, M., Ho, Q., Verboven, P., Nicolai, B., Carmeliet, J. (2010). Calculation of effective permeability of a fruit cortex tissue from microscopic simulations. In Cadavez, V. (Ed.), Thiel, D. (Ed.), FOODSIM'2010. International conference on simulation and modelling in the food and bio-industry 2010. FOODSIM. Braganca,Portugal, 24-26 June 2010 (pp. 59-62). Ghent, Belgium: EUROSIS-ETI.
9. Abera, M., Verboven, P., Defraeye T., Hertog M., Nicolaï B. (2013). A novel plant cell division algorithm based on ellipse/ellipsoid fitting. 7th International Conference on Functional – Structural Plant Models. Saariselkä, Finland, 9-14 June 2013 (art.nr. 614). 
10. Abera, M., Fanta, S., Herremans E., Defraeye T., Ho Q., Verboven, P., Nicolaï, B. (2013). Application of virtual fruit tissue geometries to postharvest studies. InsidefoodSymposium, 9-12, April 2013. Leuven, Belgium. 
11. Abera, M., Aregawi, W., Verboven, P., Nicolai, B. (2015). 3D Fruit Tissue Growth Algorithm Based on Cell Biomechanics. In Costes, E. (Ed.). X International Symposium on Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management. Montpellier, France, 2-5 June 2015.
12. Abera, M., Retta, M., Berghuijs, H., Struik, P., Verboven, P., Nicolai, B. (2016). Virtual Microstructural Leaf Tissue Generation Based on Cell Growth Modeling. . 29th International Horticultural Congress. Brisbane, Australia, 17-24 August 2014.

Meeting abstracts, presented at international scientific conferences and symposia

1. Abera, M., Fanta, S., Herremans, E., Defraeye, T., Ho, Q., Verboven, P., Nicolai, B. (2013). Application of virtual fruit tissue geometries to postharvest studies. INSIDEFOOD Symposium. Leuven, Belgium, 9-12 April 2013, Abstract No. 198.
2. Abera, M., Fanta, S., Verboven, P., Ho, Q., Carmeliet, J., Nicolai, B. (2012). A 3-D virtual pome fruit tissue generation based on cell growth modeling. 7th INTERNATIONAL POSTHARVEST SYMPOSIUM 2012 (IPS 2012). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 25-29 June 2012.
3. Ho, Q., Verboven, P., Fanta, S., Abera, M., Retta, M., Herremans, E., Defraeye, T., Nicolai, B. (2012). Pore cell network modelling of gas exchange in fruit. Soft matter approaches to structure foods: FD158. Hof Van Wageningen, Netherlands, 2-4 July 2012.
4. Verboven, P., Nicolai, B., Verlinden, B., Abera, M., Fanta, S., Ho, Q. (2009). Multiscale modelling of gas exchange in fruit tissues. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A, Comparative Physiology: vol. 153 (2). Annual main meeting of the society for experimental Biology. Glascow,Scotland, 28,June-01, July, 2009, S221.

Research experiences

• Plant tissue growth modeling for micro scale fruit geometry generation.
• Effect of immobilization of microbial cells on their ability to resist toxic environment as a partial fulfillment of M.S (Research) degree.
• Assessment of Renewable energy options as a partial fulfillment of my B.Sc. Degree.
• Process design and economic evaluation for ethanol production from molasses as mini project for a partial fulfillment of a course.
• Plant design and economic evaluation for sugar production as mini project for a partial fulfillment of a course.

Computer skills

• Operating Systems: MS Windows, MS DOS
• Application and programing Softwares:
  • Microsoft Office 
  • Matlab
  • Comsol multiphysics
  • Ansys

Experimental knowledge

• High performance liquid chromatography
• Gas chromatography
• Cell dry weight measurement
• Spectrophotometry ( for estimation of reducing sugars, proteins and biomass)
• Basic microbiology laboratory skills such as use of microscopes, haemocytometer, working in aseptic environment( use of sterilization both heat and filter sterilization, working in a laminar chamber)
• Tissue tomography

Research interest area

• Optimization of fermentation processes 
• Tissue growth modeling to generate virtual plant tissue
• Food process engineering and food biotechnology
• Environmental biotechnology and engineering
• Biological waste water treatment
• Agricultural biotechnology
• Biomedical engineering

References

• I will provide when asked.