Eba Itafa profile picture
Eba
Itafa
Molecular Plant Biology
Doctoral Researcher, Department of Life Technologies
M.Sc , Doctoral Researcher
Photosynthetic Microbes group

Areas of expertise

Photosynthesis
stress tolerance
Cyanobacteria
Biotechnology

Biography


           

PhD Candidate, Photosynthetic Microbes Group
2024-2028
Supervisors: Prof. Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne, Laura T. Wey, Pia Damlin
Research Focus: Harnessing cyanobacteria for green electricity

MSc in Plant Science
2020-2023
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Israel
Thesis: Effect of chloroplast proteases on photosynthesis in tomato plants

Graduate Assistant, College of Agriculture
2016-2017
Dilla University, Ethiopia

BSc in Horticulture
2012-2016
Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Ethiopia
Research Project: Growth Response of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) to Different Planting Dates in Jimma, Southwestern Ethiopia

Internship, Arava International Center for Agricultural Training (AICAT)
2014-2015
Israel
Award: International Diploma in Advanced Agricultural Studies

Research

Biophotovoltaic devices (BPVs) utilize photosynthetic microorganisms, such as algae and cyanobacteria, coupled with electrodes, to generate electricity through the process of photosynthesis. While significant progress has been made in enhancing BPV performance through optimized electrode design, advancing the biological components remains a challenge due to a limited understanding of exoelectrogenesis in these microorganisms. My PhD research focuses on bridging this gap by investigating the potential of Nordic and genetically engineered photosynthetic microbes. The goal is to understand mechanism of exoelectrogensis,   develop sustainable and efficient bio-hybrid systems that generate green electricity directly from sunlight, utilizing abundant resources such as water and CO₂.