I am a seasoned research leader with over 18 years of experience in designing and implementing development research and protocols for agrifood systems, the digital economy, entrepreneurship, and gender initiatives across Africa. My work has established thought leadership on the continent and beyond, demonstrated by a prolific publication record of over 100 works, with more than 18,100 Google Scholar citations and an H-index of 63. My research excellence and leadership have been recognized through several prestigious awards, including election as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences and Associate Fellow of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences. I also received the World Academy of Sciences Siwei Cheng Award in Economic Sciences and have been ranked among the world’s top 2% of scientists on Stanford's list for three consecutive years (2021-2023). Additionally, I led the development of the MOre Young Entrepreneurs in Silk and Honey (MOYESH) initiative, which secured a $55.5 million investment from the Mastercard Foundation to create green employment opportunities for 100,000 youth in Ethiopia. I remain committed to advancing evidence-based decision-making and building research capacities to empower the next generation and shape sustainable development policies.