Grad Student Spotlight: Samrawit Gebeyehu

Samrawit Gebeyehu, originally from Ethiopia, started her PhD at the University of Minnesota in the Summer of 2022. Sam is working in dairy cattle genetics in collaboration with AcceligenTM, a company involved in genomic biotechnology. Her project focuses on precision crossbreeding for African dairy production systems, a significant milestone for African dairy production.

Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science earned from Wollo University in Dessie, Ethiopia, in 2013. Following her undergraduate studies, Sam embarked on a career in animal breeding as a junior researcher at the Gondar Agricultural Research Center, where she gained valuable experience and insights into animal breeding practices.

In 2019, Sam was awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, enabling her to pursue her passion for animal breeding and genetics. She enrolled in the "European Masters in Animal Breeding and Genetics" (EMABG) program, a transformative opportunity. Her first year of study was at Georg August University in Goettingen, Germany. Sam was an exchange student at the renowned Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden, for her second year.

In June 2021, Sam completed her Master's in Animal Breeding and Genetics, marking a significant milestone in her academic journey. As a PhD student at UMN, Sam is eager to contribute to dairy cattle genetics and further our understanding of genetic improvement in Sub-Saharan African dairy cattle.