Belay Simane is an Associate Professor of Environment and Development Studies (Agronomist) at AAU. He got his PhD from Wageningen Agricultural University (1993). He has served as head of the Center for Environment and Development, Director of Research of Haremaya University, Research Advisor of the Sida/ANRS Rural Development programme, Senior Agronomist of EIAR and Ethiopian Input Authority. Currently he is working as a senior staff member at the Center for Environment and Development under the College of Development Studies of the Addis Ababa University and a lead scientist for Choke Mountain Development and Research Imitative. He is the recipient of several research awards and fellowships including, CNH-NSF, PEER, BELMONT, MAINBIOSYS, AFRINET and WOTRO. He is also visiting research fellow of JHU since 2013. He has published extensively in areas related to agronomy, crop physiology, environment and climate change. Belay is an active member of many professional associations related to agriculture, climate sciences and development.