Prof. Demel Teketay obtained his B.Sc. from Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia), M.Sc. in 1986 from the Reading University (UK) and PhD in 1996 from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Sweden) and held a position of Post-Doctoral Fellow in the same University.

His research interests include ecosystem analysis and conservation, diversity structure, dynamics and conservation of forest coffee areas, diversity and mechanisms of regeneration of forest species, forest certification, role of fire in the regeneration of plants species, protection and conservation of forest and biodiversity, restoration of degraded forested sites, impact of plantations on indigenous woody species regeneration, medicinal plants, wild plants with edible fruits/seeds, ethno-botany and ethno-ecology.

He is currently Professor in Forest Science, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Previously, he has served at various capacities as: Executive Manager, African Eco-labelling Mechanism, Nairobi, Kenya; Associate Professor in Forest Science and Research Scholar in Plant Ecology, Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Maun, Botswana; first African Regional Director, Forest Stewardship Council – African Regional Office (FSC Africa), Kumasi and Accra, Ghana; Director General and Director of Forestry Research, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Assistant Professor, Alemaya University, Alemaya, and Wondo Genet College of Forestry, Wondo Genet, Ethiopia; Postdoctoral Fellow, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala and Umeå, Sweden; Assistant Professor, Alemaya University Alemaya, Ethiopia; Lecturer, Addis Ababa University, Alemaya College/University of Agriculture, Alemaya; Postgraduate Fellow, Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, Netherlands; Assistant Lecturer, Addis Ababa University, Alemaya College/University of Agriculture, Alemaya, Ethiopi; Graduate Assistant, Addis Ababa University, Alemaya College/University of Agriculture, Alemaya, Ethiopia; and Extension Agent and Coffee Quality Inspector, Ministry of Coffee and Tea Development (MCTD), Agaro and Jimma, Ethiopia.


He is a member of Ecological Society of Eastern Africa (ESEA); African Forest Forum (AFF); Forest Stewardship Council; International Association of Landscape Ecology (IALC); Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society; Forestry Society of Ethiopia; African Network of Ethno-botany and Ethno-ecology; International Union of Forest Research Organization (IUFRO) Project Group P2. 04-00: Seed Problems; Tropical Biological Association; International Society for Tropical Ecology; and Biological Society of Ethiopia (one of the Founding Members).

He has published 218 scientific articles and technical reports, i.e.  five books, 13 articles in books 132 peer-reviewed articles in international and national journals, five articles in quasi-scientific journals, 10 small articles published in bulletins and newsletters, 18 published abstracts and 13 technical reports.

He has also obtained several recognitions, i.e. appointed as an International Fellow of the Forestry Unit of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA); selected as a member of the United Nations University – Institute of Natural Resources in Africa(UNU-INRA) College of Research Associates (CRA); ranked as Number 1 in the “Ranking of scientists in Botswana Institutions According to Their Google Scholar Citations Public Profiles”; honored and recognized for outstanding contribution to the advancement of science in Ethiopia by the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences by conferment of the status of Associate Fellow (2014); recognition for Professional Services/Contribution from the Ethiopian e-Journal for Research and Innovation Foresight in 2011 - Ee-JRIF Vol 3, No 1 (2011) – Agriculture and Forestry Issue: pp (60-64); honored and recognized for outstanding contribution to the advancement of science in Africa by the African Academy of Sciences by conferment of the status of Fellow; trophy from the Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resources for outstanding contribution to forest research in Ethiopia; gold medal and Certificate of Appreciation from the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) for meritorious achievements in the National Agricultural Research System; “Man of the Year representing Ethiopia for 2008” – award, which exemplifies the importance and validation of deeds well done; “The Key Award” - issued for those who have attained high levels of personal success while demonstrating an ongoing determination toward enriching the lives of others; “Commemorative Medal of Honor, Special Hallmark 2000” - medal of Honor commemorating distinguished lifelong achievements; “International Cultural Diploma of Honour” - awarded for exceptional service to a profession and/or contribution to the area in which the nominee lives; and “Man of the Year 2000” - awarded for outstanding accomplishments to date and the notable example set for peers and entire community from the American Biographical Institute (ABI), USA.