|
Dr. Fetien Abera, senior scientist and director of the Center for Plant Breeding, Genetics and Genomics (cPBGG) at SC State Public Service & Agriculture (SC State PSA), brings a global perspective and groundbreaking research to agricultural science. With her leadership, the cPBGG will become a hub for addressing the most pressing challenges in food security and sustainable agriculture. Since joining SC State PSA, Abera has focused on plant breeding strategies that improve crop resilience to climate change.
Born in Wukro, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia, Abera's journey began at Awasso College of Agriculture, earning her diploma in plant science. Shortly after, Abera worked as a development agent in Oromia and Amhara regions, improving rural livelihoods. After earning her Bachelor of Science in plant science from Haramaya University in Ethiopia, Abera transitioned into research, working at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. Abera continued her academics at Bangor University in Wales, UK, where she earned her Master of Science in rural resource management. She later completed her Ph.D in plant breeding and seed sciences at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in As, Norway.
Before joining SC State PSA, Abera pioneered participatory barley breeding in Ethiopia, releasing five varieties adopted by farmers in the Tigray region, including three drought-resistant varieties. Abera became Ethiopia's first woman professor of plant breeding and seed, and was appointed president of Mekelle University in Ethiopia.
Abera is the recipient of two prestigious awards: the 2014 East African Laureate of African Union Kwame Nkrumah for Scientific Excellence and the 2017 Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture Impact Research and Science in Africa Award, where she was honored as the second runner-up.
At SC State PSA, Abera will lead transformative research through the cPBGG. Her work could emphasize the importance of blending local and international efforts to address climate change.
With a vision to become a nationally and internationally recognized center of excellence, the cPBGG is committed to developing improved plant cultivars for agronomic and horticultural species, while tailoring the needs of South Carolina, the U.S. and global farmers.
Under Abera's leadership, the cPBGG fosters partnerships with industry, academic and government organizations to ensure its research has practical applications and measurable impact. The center will collaborate with breeders, geneticists and genomics experts worldwide, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and resources to drive innovation. The cPBGG has also expanded its capabilities by hiring research scientists specializing in genomics and investing in a state-of-the-art laboratory that will serve as a foundation for research and innovation.
The center's team of staff and students is dedicated to advancing genetic research, focusing on translating discoveries into real-world solutions for farmers in South Carolina and beyond. The work of the cPBGG is poised to improve livelihoods, shape the future of agriculture and position South Carolina as a leader in plant breeding and genomics research.
The cPBGG is committed to enhancing agricultural sustainability and food security by blending local and international expertise, ensuring a lasting impact for South Carolina farmers and the global farming community.
| 
