Board of Directors
Amanuel Kehasse, PharmD, PhD
President, Executive Committee Chair
Dr. Kehasse was born and raised in Eritrea. He earned his Bachelor of Pharmacy degree (BPharm) from University of Asmara, College of Health Sciences in 2003. Dr. Kehasse then joined the Orotta School of Medicine and served as an assistant lecturer of Biochemistry until 2005. At the same time, he served as the general secretary of Eritrean Pharmaceutical Association (ERIPA).
In 2005, he immigrated to the United States of America and earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in medical biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine, Division of Graduate Medical Sciences in 2012. He then pursued his post-doctoral research fellowship at The Buck Institute -University of California San Francisco (UCSF). His research focused on post translational modification of proteins and biomarker discovery, and has published his research findings at American Journal of Pathology, Journal of Experimental Medicine and Oncotarget.
In 2015, Dr. Kehasse became a registered pharmacist (RPh) in the State of Massachusetts. He then pursued his Pharmacy studies at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) and earned his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree in 2017.
Currently, Dr. Kehasse is an ambulatory clinical manager of Specialty Pharmacy services at Boston Medical Center, with special interest in clinical and outcomes research.
Mulugeta Russom, PhD, FISoP
Vice President, Research, Documentation and Professional Development Committee Chair
Dr. Mulugeta Russom is a pharmacist who completed his masters and PhD in pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology. He is head of the Eritrean Pharmacovigilance Centre and Secretary of the Ministry of Health’s CPD accreditation committee.
Dr. Mulugeta is chair of the Global WHO Advisory Committee on Medicines Safety, and Chair of the Working Group B of the WHO member-states mechanism for combating substandard and falsified medical products. He is a fellow of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP). He is also Co-chair of the Research and Academia of the ISoP Africa Chapter.
Dr. Mulugeta supervises MSc students at the University of Bordeaux, France, and he has been serving the Eritrean Pharmacist Connections (EriPCo) as a Vice President.
Dr. Mulugeta is an experienced medical writer, associate editor, and reviewer/editorial board member in several international journals, and published around 60 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Amanuel Tseggai, PharmD
Secretary
Dr. Amanuel Tseggai was born in Asmara, Eritrea, and currently resides in the United States of America. Dr. Amanuel obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Tennessee State University and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Mercer University School of Pharmacy. As a clinical pharmacist with 20 years of experience in hospital pharmacy, he’s actively involved in various clinical services including but not limited to oncology, cardiology, pharmacokinetics and cystic fibrosis. He also serves as a preceptor for 4th year PharmD students and provides in-service related to drug therapy to nurses and pharmacists. Dr. Amanuel enjoys playing soccer, music, reading and comedy movies.
Almaz Dawit, PharmD
Finance Director, Finance and Fundraising Committee Chair
Almaz was born in Eritrea and moved to the United States in 1992. Almaz earned her bachelor degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from University of California San Diego in 1999 and obtained a doctorate degree from University of California San Francisco in 2003. She has practiced as a clinical pharmacist in hospital settings where she precepted pharmacy students in critical care and pharmacokinetics studies. Almaz has served as lead information technology pharmacist, owns and operates her own pharmacy and serves as vice president of pharmacy services in a brokerage firm. Almaz is passionate about pharmacy as a whole but even more so when it comes to helping advance the profession among Eritreans.
Lemlem Hussien, B.Pharm.
Public Relations Officer, Communications and Public Relations Committee Chair
Lemlem Hussien is an experienced pharmacist, researcher, and regulatory expert with a wealth of knowledge in traditional medicine. A 2015 alumna of the Asmara College of Health Sciences, she began her career at Orotta National Referral Hospital before transitioning to a pivotal role at the National Medicines and Food Administration (NMFA), MoH of Eritrea. She also had the honor of serving as the General Secretary of ERIPA in 2016-2018.
Lemlem’s passion for the natural world and its therapeutic potential has led her to a decade-long journey of inquiry into alternative and holistic approaches to healthcare. Her research interests and publications focus on traditional healing practices, medicinal plants and the emerging field of psychedelic medicine.
In addition to her professional endeavors, she is a published freelance writer and content creator. Lemlem is a lover of the arts and enjoys writing free-flow poetry, painting, designing, and polymer clay jewelry making.
Dawit Gebrehiwet Weldemariam
Dawit G. Weldemariam is a Pharmacist, currently working in Benova Pharmacy as a dispensing manager and consultant pharmacist. He had worked as Graduate assistant, department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Asmara College of Health sciences from 2016-2018. In 2019, he was assigned to Hazhaz Hospital, where he worked as a hospital Pharmacist. Dawit is engaged in doing medical research, peer review articles, and so far he has published several scientific articles in peer-reviewed international journals. Dawit is interested in clinical pharmacy practice and public health, biomedical sciences, infection prevention control, antimicrobial resistance and stewardship.
Dr. Weldegiorgis is passionate about problem-solving which makes a positive impact on people’s lives. He is motivated to empower the next generation of young Pharmacists to aspire for greater ambitions through education and research.
Misghina Weldegiorgis, BPharm, MSc, PhD
Dr. Misghina Weldegiorgis is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Imperial College London, a Conjoint Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Sydney, an Honorary Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health, and an Honorary Public Health Academic at the UK Health Security Agency. His current research projects focus on the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance.
Previously, he held two Postdoctoral Researcher positions. One was at Imperial College London where he investigated risk factors and pathways to the dominant forms of multiple long-term chronic conditions. And the second one was at the University of Oxford where his research projects evaluated modifiable social and clinical risk factors associated with the development and progression of chronic kidney diseases.
He completed his BSc degree in Pharmacy from the University of Asmara and then worked as a Pharmacist at Orotta National Referral Hospital and later on in various positions at the Ministry of Health in Eritrea before relocating to the Netherlands to pursue his academic interest. He was awarded a scholarship by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, and completed his MSc degree in Epidemiology (specializing in Pharmacoepidemiology) at Utrecht University. Subsequently, he was awarded a fellowship by the Groningen University Institute for Drug Exploration and completed his Ph.D. entitled ‘Evaluation of renal endpoints in nephrology trials’.
Dr. Weldegiorgis is passionate about problem-solving which makes a positive impact on people’s lives. He is motivated to empower the next generation of young Pharmacists to aspire for greater ambitions through education and research.
Nuru Abdu
Nuru Abdu completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy in Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences in Eritrea. He is the manager of the Formulary Process and Pharmacoeconomics Section of the Medicines Information Services Unit/Pharmacy Services Division in the Ministry of Health. He has published more than 15 papers in reputable international peer-reviewed journals and has served as an editorial board member of PLOS ONE. Currently, he is a board member, Journal Editor-in-Chief, member of CPD accreditation body, and co-chair of the scientific committee of the Eritrean Pharmaceutical Association (ERIPA), as well as an active reviewer for more than 20 international peer-reviewed journals. He recently won the National Pharmacovigilante Award for the best reporter of Individual Case Safety Reports and has participated in five local and international conferences as a research presenter. In addition, he serves as the secretary of the Eritrean National List of Medicines Review Subcommittee. Nuru Abdu formerly worked as a chief pharmacist in Adi-Tekelezan Community Hospital and an administrator in Mussa-Ali Community Hospital. His research areas include but not limited to antimicrobial resistance, geriatrics, public health, drug use evaluation, pharmacy practice, patient-related outcomes, and pharmacology.
Tsegazeab Tekle Mebrahtu, MS.
I hold a Master’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Bergen, one of Norway’s top universities. Upon graduation, I began working as a full-time pharmacist in a community pharmacy, where I have since gained extensive experience in dispensing and providing various pharmacy services. I believe in the power of collaboration to grow together, rather than growing alone. In my spare time, I enjoy mountain climbing and playing football.
Advisory Council
Awet T. Weldemichael, Ph.D., LL.M.
Awet T. Weldemichael is an expert of contemporary Northeast African history and politics at Queen’s University in Canada. He has a Ph.D. in History and the LL.M. in Public International Law. He is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, College of New Scholars.
Brian Zweig, MBA.
Brian Zweig is the Principal of Business Opportunities Management Consulting, which helps organizations in developing business plans and identifying sources of funding, including securing grants. Prior to founding his own firm, Brian served as Executive Vice President of a marketing services business and he worked in product development and marketing.
In addition to his professional experience, Brian currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY and he also serves on the advisory board for the Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research at Cornell University. He is on the board of the Global Business Network of the Capital Region of New York, which promotes international commerce and he was a co-founder of an angel investment network that funded early-stage technology businesses. Previously, he served as President of a local land trust and he was also elected to one term on the Rensselaer County (NY) legislature.
Brian holds an MBA from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College and a B.S. from Cornell University.
Hanna Haile, JSD, Esq.
Hanna is a lawyer and a gender specialist. Her expertise and research interests lie in the fields of human rights, sustainability, climate change and migration, gender and disaster risk management. She has extensive experience as a legal and policy analyst and researcher, providing services to universities, international organizations, governments and NGOs. Hanna was a Steinberg Postdoctoral Fellow at the McGill Center for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism. She holds a J.S.D. and an LL.M. from Cornell University and an LL.B. from the University of Asmara. She is a member in good standing of the New York State Bar.
Hibreniguss Terefe, Ph.D.
Hibreniguss holds a PhD. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and a Pharmacy Degree from Westfälische Willhelms-Universität Münster, Germany and was Fulbright Visiting Scholar at University of California, Berkeley.
Currently he is Director of Research and Development at Catalent Pharma Solutions in Somerset New Jersey, a global pharmaceutical contract research and manufacturing company. Prior to that he was V.P. of Research and Development at ExxPharma Therapeutics for 14 years Head of Department of Pharmacy at University of Asmara Eritrea for 9 years.
Hibreniguss is a research and development specialist with about 25 years of pharmaceutical industry and academic experience. He has broad experience in drug product development and is well versed in pharmaceutical regulatory affairs. His core area of expertise are solubility enhancement and twin-screw extrusion, a specialized pharmaceutical manufacturing process. He has extensive experience in product development of NCEs covering from Pre-clinical to Phase III clinical development stages using innovative drug delivery technology platforms including ANDA’s and 505(b)(2) using conventional and specialized pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies.
In 1996, joining the University of Asmara in Eritrea during the inception phase of its College of Health Sciences, he played a key role in the foundation of the various departments of the college. He led the establishment of the department of Pharmacy and chaired the department for nine years, progressively improving its curriculum and teaching/learning environment.
Hibreniguss is a co-inventor of three approved and two pending, and two provisional patents and has published several articles in scientific and professional Journals and a book chapter. He has a successful track record in establishing Pharmaceutical Research and Development Departments and has played a key role in establishing two Pharmaceutical companies.
Isaias Yemane Tesfalidet, LL.M
Isaias Yemane Tesfalidet is an international law expert with over 10 years of experience advising governments, private enterprises, law firms, NGOs and international organizations on issues relating to human rights and humanitarian law, laws of war, dispute settlement, protection of displaced persons and rule of law.
Isaias is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®). He earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) from Yale Law School and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Asmara Faculty of Law.
Kebreab Hailegiorgis, MA
Kebreab has a Master’s in Professional Counseling. He has been working as a coach and trainer at the University of Washington’s School of Social Work.
Kebreab is also the board Chairman of Eritrean Community Connections (ECC), a non for profit organization aimed at providing social, emotional and financial support to Eritrean refugees all over the world.
Kebreab is married to Ariam Tesfayesus and is a father of three children. Kebreab lives in the State of Washington, USA.
Yohannes Mehari, PhD
Dr. Yohannes Tesfamichael Mehari was born and raised in Eritrea. He graduated with a degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from University of Asmara. Then, he received his PhD in Molecular Biosciences from Middle Tennessee State University in 2016. As part of his doctoral work, he studied novel bacterial species and their interaction with eukaryotic cell nucleus. After grad school, he continued his scientific quest by taking a position as a post-doctoral fellow at Auburn University and studied medically important fungal species. To mention some of the highlights of his research work, Dr. Yohannes was an invited presenter as a young scientist at the 2015 American Society for Microbiology General Meeting. His research work has also been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals. Currently, Dr. Yohannes is working as a lecturer at Auburn University mainly teaching microbiology. In his spare time, Dr. Yohannes enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, and he also likes to play and watch soccer games.
Past Leadership
Abnet Ephrem, BPharm
Cofounder, Treasurer (2020-2022), Board Member (2022-2024)
Ariam Isak , RPh, MSc.
Cofounder, Secretary (2020-2022)
Haikel Negash, RPh, MS.
Founder, President (2020-2022), Board Member (2022-2024)
Lidya Hagos
Board Member (2022-2024)
Samrawit Hagos, RPh.
Cofounder, Public Relations Officer, Communications and Public Relations Committee Chair (2020-2024)
Selamawit M. Ghebreamlak, BPharm, PhD
Cofounder, Membership Committee Chair (2020-2024), Vice President (2020-2022), Secretary (2022-2024)
Sirak Tesfamariam, BPharm
Board Member (2022-2024)
Teklab Gebregiworgis, PhD
Board Member (2022-2023)
