Full Name: Nigussie Amsalu Akele (PhD)
Academic Rank: Associate Professor
Institutional email:nigussie_amsalu@dmu.edu.et
Google scholar/ORCID address/Scopus/WoS: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nigussie-Amsalu&ved=2ahUKEwjhoMvl74uNAxX_VKQEHTBPI80QFnoECBwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2dN_ehSpzlZhvaysa9HTKF
Specialization:Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management (Botanical Sciences with particular emphasis on Ethnobotany and Plant Diversity)
Courses Taught:General Biology, Biological Laboratory and Field Techniques, Cell Biology, Remedial Courses, Phycology, Bryophytes and Pteridophytes, Seed Plants, Soil Science, Plant Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Ethnobiology, Principles of Taxonomy, Research Methods and Report Writing in Science, Introduction to Plant Tissue Culture and Propagation, Research Design and Scientific Writing (Biol. 611), Ethnobotany (Biol. 661), Survey of Seed Plant Families (Biol.659), Plant Biodiversity Management (Biol. 655), and Bio- seminar (Biol. 712).
Achievements and Awards:
- Served as Chairman of the Campus Greening Technical Committee at DMU during the 2005 E.C academic year, overseeing initiatives for campus beautification, biodiversity enhancement, and improved environmental sustainability.
- Professional contribution on: “Green Development and Beautification” for Ethiopian Red Cross and Society, and Yene Primary School at Debre Markos City
- Significant contribution to the establishment of a childcare facilityadministered by the Women, Youth and HIV/AIDS Directorate of DMU in 2013 E.C.
- Led the establishment of the Botanical Garden as a founding member and its first Chairperson from 2004-2005 E.C.
- I provided professional support to the green development initiatives undertaken by the Debre Markos City Administration’s Environment Protection, Cleanliness, and Beauty Green Development Office from June 6 to 19, 2014 E.C
Research Interest:The synergistic relationship between traditional plant knowledge and modern scientific inquiry deeply fascinates me. I am driven to explore this dynamic through the interconnected lenses of Ethnobotany, Cultural Studies, Biodiversity Conservation, Ecology and Vegetation Studies, and PlantTaxonomy. These frameworks are essential for a comprehensive understanding of plant diversity and its profound cultural significance. My passion lies in translating this understanding into tangible benefits through Phytochemistry, and Phytomedicine/Herbal medicine, with focus on masteringPhytochemical Extraction techniques and conducting rigorous biological activity experiments to unlock novel therapeutic agents and promote the sustainable utilization of plant resources.
List of Publications:
- AmsaluN, Bezie Y, Fentahun M, Alemayehu A, Amsalu G. Use and Conservation of Medicinal Plants by Indigenous People of GozaminWereda, East Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia: An Ethnobotanical Approach. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/2973513.
- NigussieAmsalu, Demeke Mihret, and Liyew Birhanu (2024). Ethnoveterinary Medicinal Plants and Practices in Aneded District, East Gojjam Zone ofAmhara Region, Northwestern Ethiopia: Advanced Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Volume 8, Issue II (Accepted)
- Y. Dessie and N. Amsalu. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Sekela District, northwestern Ethiopia. Phytomedicine Plus, 4 (2024): 100602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100602
- Nigussie Amsalu (2024). Ethnobotanical Studies on Traditional Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Humans’ Skin Diseases in Ethiopia: A Review. Clinical Dermatology Open Access Journal (CDOAJ). DOI: 10.23880/cdoaj-16000322.
- Dessie, Y., Amsalu, N., Fassil, A. & Liyew, M. (2024). Antibacterial Potential of Selected Traditional Medicinal Plants for Wound Healing in Sekela District, Northwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, 1–18.https://doi.org/10.1080/10496475.2024.2439299.
- Birhanu, L.; Mekonen, Y.;Tilahun, A.; Amsalu, N.; Balzter, H. Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Soil Erosion in Dondor Watershed, Blue Nile Basin, Northwestern Ethiopia. Sustainability 2024, 16: 10421. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310421.
- Amanuel Endesew and Nigussie Amsalu (2024). Qualitative Phytochemical Screening on Some Selected Medicinal Plants in Senan District, Northwestern Ethiopia. Daagu International Journal of Basic and Applied Research 6(2) (2024): 473-487. https://doi.org/10.20372/17kty023.
- Liyew Birhanu, Getaneh Moges, NigussieAmsalu, and Heiko Balzter (2025). Woody Species Diversity, Structure and Community Distribution Along Environmental Gradients of Seqela Dry Afromontane Forest inNorthwestern Ethiopia. PLoS ONE 20(1): e0313020.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313020.
- Nigussie Amsalu and Zemede Asfaw (2020). Review of the antioxidant properties of wild edibleplants in Ethiopia, African Journal of Medical and Health Sciences,19(6), pp.84-102. DOI: 10.5897/AJMHS2019.0082.
- Nigussie Amsalu (2021). Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in and Around Aba-Asrat Monastery Following Chemoga River, East Gojjam Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia, Proceedings of the Eight Annual National Symposium of Haddis Alemayehu Institute of Cultural Studies, May 15-16, 2021; pp. 23-64 (Proceedings).
- BizelewGelayenewNigussieAmsalu Getahun Asebe (2021). Review on Production Potential Areas, Nutrient Composition and Utilization of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) as Poultry Feed Additive and Their Effect on Broiler Performances in Ethiopia.
- Mulugeta Fentahun,YilkalBezie, NigussieAmsalu, Addisu Alemayehu, and Gashaw Amsalu (2017). Antibacterial Evaluation and Phytochemical Analysis of Selected Medicinal Plants against Some Pathogenic Enteric Bacteria in Gozamin District, Ethiopia.
Research and project information (completed and ongoing):
- Use and Conservation of Medicinal Plants by Indigenous People of GozaminWereda, East Gojjam Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia: An Ethnobotanical Approach (completed).
- Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Some Microbial Antagonists and Botanicals against Mycotoxin Producing Fungi (Mycotoxigenic) in Stored Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) grains, Dejen district, East Gojjam, Ethiopia (on the way to be completed)
- Phytochemical Screening, Safety and Efficacy of Some Selected Medicinal Plants for Treatment of Dermatological Disorders and Antimicrobial Activities in the East Gojam Flora, Northwestern Ethiopia (ongoing).
MSc and/or PhD students advised (ongoing and graduated): 18