Professor Ensermu Kelbesa, one of the Fellows of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS),passed away on August 14, 2016 at the age of 63. His funeral and burial service was completed at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the presence of his family, friends and colleagues on August 15, 2016.
Professor Ensermu Kelbessa was of a Plant Taxonomist at Addis Ababa University (AAU). He served in various positions up until his death. He was a Curator of the National Herbarium from 1995 to 2010 and an Associate Leader of the Ethiopian Flora Project between 1996 and 2009. Professor Ensermu was a member of various national and international professional societies. He was Founding and Executive Committee Member of the Biological Society of Ethiopia from 1996 to 2000. He also served as Vice President of the Society from 2000 to 2002 and President from 2002 to 2004. He was a Founding Member and Chairman of the Department of Plant Biology and Biodiversity from 2010 to 2014. Similarly, Professor Ensermu was the Founding and Executive Committee Member of the Regional Biodiversity Consortium of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, and a Member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission.
Professor Ensermu has published extensively, with over 100 publications.
The Ethiopian Academy of Sciences would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends and d colleagues of the late Professor Ensermu Kelbessa.