Ayalnesh Zemene Yalew is an assistant professor of reproductive and maternal health at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC). Prior to pursuing her Ph.D., she served as the director of the Nursing Education Directorate at SPHMMC. She is also a senior research member of health and demographic surveillance at the same institution. Additionally, Yalew is a member of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at SPHMMC. Currently, she is collaborating with J-PAL Africa on a project “Digital Payment Solution to Incentivize Rural Health Extension Workers in Ethiopia,” where she serves as a co-principal investigator (co-PI).
Yalew’s academic pursuits have been further enriched through her participation in the University of Michigan African Presidential Scholarship (UMAPS) program winter 2024 cohort. Under the mentorship of Professor Sarah Compton, she has diligently worked on her project, demonstrating exceptional commitment and scholarly rigor. Her successful completion of the Ph.D. program coincided with her participation in the UMAPS program, a testament to her academic ability and dedication to scholarly advancement.
Yalew extends her heartfelt gratitude to the University of Michigan (U-M), the African Studies Center (ASC), and her esteemed host Professor Compton for their unwavering support and guidance. She also expresses her sincere appreciation to St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College and Pan African University for their invaluable contributions to her academic and professional growth. Additionally, Yalew acknowledges the invaluable support and guidance provided by her supervisors, Professor Oladapo Olayemi and Professor Alemayehu Worku, whose unwavering dedication played a pivotal role in shaping her academic journey and contributing to the successful. Their mentorship and expertise have been instrumental in her scholarly pursuits and are deeply appreciated.
Yalew is eager to collaborate with ASC and U-M faculty to conduct impactful research aimed at addressing pressing issues affecting women's health. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, she envisions leveraging her expertise in reproductive health alongside diverse perspectives to tackle challenges such as maternal mortality, reproductive rights, and gender-based violence. Yalew aims to foster partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, ensuring that research initiatives are culturally sensitive and contextually relevant. Additionally, she is committed to knowledge exchange, capacity building, and advocacy efforts, aiming to amplify the impact of her research findings and contribute to evidence-based decision-making in women's health. Through collaborative vision and community engagement, she endeavors to create a future where every woman has access to quality healthcare and reproductive autonomy.
