Belachew Asalf Tadesse

Belachew Asalf is originally from Ethiopia. I took BSc. in Horticulture from Jimma University in Ethiopia in 2004. In 2005, I got a scholarship from NORAD to study MSc. in Norway. In 2007, I received my master’s degree in plant sciences from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). I took my Ph.D. in plant pathology in January 2013. I did my post-doctoral research in NIBIO from 2014 to 2016. I also worked as a research scholar at Cornell University, USA, in 2010. I have worked on many different projects in NIBIO and involved in teaching plant pathology courses and co-advising MSc. and Ph.D. students since 2008.   

I am a research scientist in plant pathology in the Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health in NIBIO. I am responsible for plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes that attack field-grown vegetables and postharvest diseases in Norway. To name some of the vegetables of interest: carrot, cabbage, brussels sprout, cauliflower, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, Rutabaga/swede, turnip, kale, radish,  sweet pea, green bean, cucumber,  Zucchini, pumpkin, parsnip, parsley root, leaf parsley,  celery, celeriac, lettuce, baby leaf,  Rucola (rocket/arugula), spinach, beetroot, sweetcorn/maize, onion, leek, spring onion, garlic, chive,  asparagus, dill, and so on).  

My key research interest includes diagnostics, pathogen biology, ecology, epidemiology, understanding mechanisms of plant resistance to pathogen, disease warning system, integrated pest and disease management, fungicide resistance, and alternative plant disease management strategies.