Research interest for PhD Position in Soil – plant – atmosphere continuum Modeling at the
institute of Soil, water and Environmental science – Volcani center, Israel
I am writing this statement letter to express my strong interest in joining PhD at the institute of
soil, water and environmental science at Volcani center. I am highly motivated to be involved in
this program that I believe will improve and build my scientific as well as theoretical knowledge
in the field of Earth observation technology (EO) for agricultural application and in particular,
modeling various climate and biophysical parameter for sustainable crop management and use.
My professional goals are applying my knowledge in EO and data to the field of agriculture and
natural resources for solving food security problems. In addition, I am interested in promoting
among the decision-makers in Ethiopia’s policies and strategies that show the key role of EO has
for sustainable agricultural development, mitigation of climate change and environment
protection. My second long term goal after obtaining PhD is to become an expert in my field, to
lead science projects, supervise students, conduct remote sensing-based cut edge research and add
my contribution to science and technology development in Ethiopia, in Africa, as well as globally.
Throughout my work, at the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute at the Remote
Sensing Research and Development Department, I gained strong skills and experience regarding
EO data and techniques for agricultural transformation systems and the use of EO for a sustainable
cotton crop farming system in Ethiopia. I am currently leading a research project related to the
EO-based drought watching and forecasting system in Ethiopia. Moreover, I have also boosted my
subject matter knowledge and developed communication skills through the university teaching
experience in remote sensing, GIS, GPS. I have a strong background in geospatial data
computation software like ArcGIS and knowledge in programming languages such as R and
python.
Now I am eager to get myself admitted to this PhD and I am motivated in improving my knowledge
and develop skills in strong research environment with high levels of scientific production, an
excellent reputation regarding research facilities and expertise. Having a chance to do my PhD at
this institute will help me to develop strong communication skills, exchange culture, and meet
students and people with diverse backgrounds. I believe my past education, research, teaching
experience, in addition to my interests and strong motivation make me a strong candidate.
Many thanks in advance for your consideration.
Curriculum Vitae
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Replace with First name(s) Surname(s)
Alexander Takele Muleta
Algeria street, Addis Ababa, 33679, Ethiopia
+251942113749
AlexanderTakele5@gmail.com
Sex Male | Date of birth 03/12/1991 | Nationality Ethiopians
WORK EXPERIENCE
1. From Feb 17,2020 to present, Associate Researcher at Ethiopian space
science and technology institute under Remote sensing research and
development department (www.essti.gov.et), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
✓ Digital image processing for different research theme such as drought
monitoring, remote sensing of Agricultural advisory support program,
geospatial technology for digital tourism development, remote sensing of
cotton crop monitoring and yield prediction with machine learning
2. From March 19,2018 to Feb 17, 2020 Assistant Lecturer at Wachemo
University (www.wcu.gov.et), Hosanna, Ethiopia
✓ Have teaching experience on course such as GPS, GIS, Remote sensing,
Adjustment computation and Research methodologies for engineers at under
graduate level
EDUCATION AND
TRAINING
✓ Adama science and technology University, Adama, Ethiopia
received M.Sc. degree in Geo-informatics in Aug 08,2019
✓ Adama science and technology University, Adama, Ethiopia
received B.Sc. degree in Geomatics Engineering in July
07,2016
✓ Certificate of Attendance in introduction to data science and
computational thinking from National Institute for
Theoretical and computational science, Stellenbosch
University
✓ Certificate from NASA Applied Remote sensing Training program
for completion of Agricultural crop classification with Radar and
optical remote sensing for five days.
© European Union, 2002-2012 | http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu
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Replace with First name(s) Surname(s)
Curriculum Vitae
LANGUAGE
Amharic
Understanding
listening
Reading
Fluent
Fluent
Speaking
spoken
spoken
interaction
production
Fluent
Fluent
Writing
Fluent
English
Fluent
Fluent
Fluent
Fluent
Fluent
▪ Good at computer programming such as Python, R
▪ Have excellent skill in geospatial computing tool like ERIDAS IMAGINE,
ArcGIS, ENVI, PCI geomatic a, Arc SWAT
COMPUTER SKILLS
1.
PUBLICATION
2.
Quantifying spatial patterns of urbanization: growth types, rates, and changes in
Addis Ababa City from 1990 to 2020
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41324-021-00388-4
Does the Recent Afforestation Program in Ethiopia Influenced Vegetation Cover
and Hydrology? A Case Study in the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia (submitted)
REFERENCE
Berhan Gessese (PhD) Associate Professor of Remote sensing, Geospatial
Head, Remote sensing R&D Department
Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute
Cellular Phone: 0911126910
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Berhan_Awoke2/research
Google Scholar: HTTPs://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Wo5R6HAAAAAJ
Getachew Tesfaye (PhD)
Remote Sensing Department
Earth Observation Division
Ethiopian Space Science Technology Institute (ESSTI) email:
sget2006@yahoo.com
Worku Zewdie, Ph
Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute
Cell Phone +251(911)666435, Skype: worku_he; workuz@essti.gov.et
ResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Worku_Zewdie
Google Citation Profile:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=OTRDdb0AAAAJ&hl=en
© European Union, 2002-2012 | http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu
Page 2 / 2
Publications
Summary
Title: Quantifying spatial patterns of urbanization: growth types, rates, and changes in Addis
Ababa City from 1990 to 2020
Urban patterns have shown that shifts in the social, economic, and geographical features of an
area result in metropolitan growth, planned or otherwise. Rapid urbanization takes a toll on the
ecological makeup of the environment and the wellbeing of humans at multiple levels. Thus, this
study was drafted to quantify urban growth rates, types, and changes, with regards to urbanization
patterns from 1990 to 2020. It tries to evaluate whether Addis Ababa’s urban expansion conforms
to the diffusion-coalescence theory using remote sensing data. The Spatio-temporal pattern and
changing aspects of the built-up land were examined using urban growth types, spatial metrics,
and a gradient method. The last decade evidenced the most pronounced growth within a buffer
distance of 10 to 22 km from the city center. Edge expansion was the most dominant form of growth
across all three decades with more than 61% of new development each. Infill and outlying growth
showed decadal variability with an alternating dominance. The Spatio-temporal investigation
confirmed that the urban class and growth types remained consistent. The team concluded that
diffusion and coalescence are two simultaneously occurring phases of urban growth rather than
two dichotomous successive phases. Spatio-temporal patterns and the dynamic behavior of spatial
metrics are instrumental in comprehending the urban growth process and cycle. Moreover, the
results can aid in assessing the land use planning policy as well as to guide future land use
planning.
Key words: Urban growth, Spatial metrics, Urban growth type, Remote sensing data,
spatiotemporal pattern, Addis Ababa
Publication link https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41324-021-00388-4
Submitted manuscript and under review
Does the Recent Afforestation Program in Ethiopia Influenced Vegetation Cover and
Hydrology? A Case Study in the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia
Abstracts
Ethiopia government implemented afforestation programs in different times and more attention
was given to tree plantation since 2010. However, effectiveness of the afforestation programs and
its impacts on vegetation cover and hydrology has not been well studied. This study aims to assess
the recent campaigned afforestation and its impact on vegetation cover and hydrology in the upper
Awash basin, Ethiopia. Landsat 8 images of 2013 to 2020 were used to calculate the NDVI for the
upper awash basin to sasses trends in vegetation greenness for the basin. Observed streamflow
and rainfall datasets were also collected in the basin to assess the impact of the afforestation on
hydrology. The study result showed decreasing NDVI values despite afforestation programs in the
upper Awash basin. This shows either afforestation rate was less than the deforestation rate or the
tree plantation campaign was not effective in the basin. In addition, the campaign-based tree
plantation focused on the number of trees planted not on how many trees are grown. On the other
hand, mean annual rainfall and streamflow were generally increased from 2013 to 2020 in the
upper Awash basin. Declining NDVI values but increasing mean annual rainfall in the Awash
basin indicated that the declining vegetation was attributed to anthropogenic effects. The
increasing streamflow during the same time could be due to the increasing mean annual rainfall.
Moreover, the decreasing vegetation cover might have contributed for the increasing streamflow
through increasing surface runoff and decreasing transpiration. However, further research is
required to assess the precise impacts of afforestation on vegetation cover and hydrologic
processes. Generally, the study result showed that the focus of afforestation should be on tree
growing than on tree plantation alone.
Key words: NDVI; Landsat 8; Afforestation; Hydrology; upper Awash basin
C E R T I F I C AT E O F AT T E N DA N C E
Proudly presented to
alexander takele
for attending the 5-day online short course
‘Introduction to Data Science and Computational Thinking’
presented at the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking, Stellenbosch University, from 26 to 30 July 2021
Prof Francesco Petruccione
NITheCS Interim Director
Prof Kanshukan Rajaratnam
Director: School for Data Science and
Computational Thinking, Stellenbosch University
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
NASA’s Applied Remote Sensing Training Program
presents this certificate of completion to
Alexander Takele
for completing
Agricultural Crop Classification with Synthetic Aperture
Radar and Optical Remote Sensing
October 05, 07, 12, 14, & 19, 2021