Dr. Amare Seifu Assefa is a senior research professional at the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), serving as the Department of Genetic Resources Access and Benefit Sharing Research Lead Executive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He holds a PhD in Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, with a specialization in Plant Ecology, from Addis Ababa University, as well as an MSc in Biology (Botanical Science) from Dilla University and a Bachelor of Education in Biology from Dilla College of Teacher Education and Health Science, Debub University.

With over four and a half years of research experience in the conservation sector, Dr. Assefa has developed strong expertise in biodiversity conservation, sustainable utilization, and access and benefit sharing of genetic resources in line with the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). His professional contributions include active participation in the development of Ethiopia’s Interim National Report on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, the drafting of the National Invasive Alien Species Policy, Strategy and Action Plan, and the formulation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2015–2020). In addition, he has served as a research team leader on bioprospecting and valuation of plant genetic resources, as well as on invasive alien plant species research, playing a key role in advancing evidence-based biodiversity policy and management in Ethiopia.