Â鶹Éçmadou
Abiye Tigabu Molla

Abiye Tigabu Molla

PhD Candidate
PhD Candidate
Medicine & Health
School of Optometry and Vision Science

Biography

I am Abiye Tigabu Molla, a current PhD candidate at the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Â鶹Éçmadou. I earned my BSc degree in Medical Laboratory Technology in 2015 and my MSc degree in Medical Microbiology in 2018. Previously, I served as a Lecturer and Assistant Professor at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, where I taught Medical Microbiology courses to undergraduate and postgraduate students. In addition to teaching, I supervised and mentored both master’s and undergraduate students in their research projects. My academic contributions also included developing research ideas, collecting and analyzing data, and drafting and reviewing manuscripts. To date, I have published 23 research articles in reputable, peer-reviewed international journals, contributing as a first author, corresponding author, and co-author. Currently, my research focuses on the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of microbial virulence and antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates recovered from bacterial keratitis.

Research title: Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of microbial virulence and antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates recovered from bacterial keratitis

Supervisors: Scientia Professor Fiona Stapleton and Professor Mark Willcox

Research abstract

P. aeruginosa is a significant contributor to infections affecting the ocular surface. This bacterium exhibits resistance to a wide range of antibiotics and can develop additional resistance mechanisms through genetic mutations and horizontal gene transfer. Furthermore, it employs diverse virulence mechanisms to adhere to ocular cells, invade host tissues, and eventually lead to complications such as corneal scarring and perforation. A recent outbreak in the United States involving an extensively drug-resistant strain of P. aeruginosa resulted in severe outcomes, including four fatalities, the removal of four eyes, and vision loss in 14 other patients. Understanding the antimicrobial resistance profiles and virulence traits of P. aeruginosa strains associated with corneal infections is therefore crucial to address the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant ocular P. aeruginosa infections.

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Education

BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology (University of Gondar, Ethiopia, 2015)

MSc in Medical Microbiology (University of Gondar, Ethiopia, 2018)

PhD in Optometry (SOVS, Â鶹Éçmadou, Sydney, Australia, 2024–present)

Conference attendance

Antimicrobial Resistance Symposium 2024. Hosted by the Australian Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), held on 21 November 2024.

Structural Aspects of AMPs and Antimicrobials. Organized by the MDPI Antibiotics journal, scheduled for 3 December 2024.

AwardsÌý

University International Postgraduate Award, Â鶹Éçmadou Sydney 2024.

Best Presentation Award at the Antimicrobial Resistance Symposium 2024.

Affiliations and memberships

American Society for Microbiology

School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Â鶹Éçmadou, Syndey, Ethiopia

Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Research Interests

Molecular Microbiology, Microbial pathogenesis, Immunology, Bioinformatics

Researcher Profiles:

ORCID:

Scopus:

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Email

a.molla@unsw.edu.au,Ìýabty12@gmail.com

    1. Martha Alemayehu, Abiye Tigabu, Solomon Yunkura, Fana Hagos and Birehanemeskel Tegene. Prevalence of Smear Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Associated Risk Factors among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Suspected Patients at Private Health Institutions in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study. American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (2017), 5 (1), 61-65.
    2. Abiye Tigabu, Moges Tiruneh and Feleke Mekonnen, Nasal Carriage Rate, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern and Associated Risk Factors of Staphylococcus aureus with Special Emphasis on MRSA among Elementary School Children in Gondar; Northwest Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study. Advances in Preve Medicine (2018).
    3. Abiye Tigabu, Tigist Engda and Feleke Mekonnen. Seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible viral infections (HIV, HBV and HCV) among voluntary blood donors at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar; Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases (2019) 19:393.
    4. Abiye Tigabu, Solomon Taye, Melak Aynalem and Kasaw Adane. Prevalence and Associated Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Patients Attending Shahura Health Center, Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes(2019) 12:333.
    5. Abiye Tigabu, Worku Ferede, Gizeaddis Belay and Baye Gelaw. Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacterial Isolates among Cancer Patients and Healthy Blood Donors at the University of Gondar Specialized Hospital. International journal of microbiology. 2020.
    6. Zewudu Andualem, Tsegaye Adane, Abiye Tigabu, Walelign Worku Yallew, Sintayehu Daba Wami, Henok Dagne, Jember Azanaw, Gebisa Guyasa, Zelalem Nigussie Azene, and Mastewal Endalew. Pneumonia among Under-Five Children in Northwest Ethiopia: Prevalence and Predictor. A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study. International journal of pediatrics. 2020.
    7. Yihenew Million, Tigist Feleke, Dereje Mengesha, Betelhem Senay, Abiye Tigabu. Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Among Culture Isolates at University of Gondar, Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a Five-Year Retrospective Study. Clin. Lab. 2020; 66:1-12.
    8. Masresha Shimekaw, Abiye Tigabu, and Belay Tessema. Bacterial Profile, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern, and Associated Risk Factors among Patients with Wound Infections at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia. The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds. 2020; 19: 111.
    9. Abiye Tigabu, Gizeaddis Belay. Inducible Clindamycin and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus among cancer patients at University of Gondar Compressive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: Carriage Rates and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns. Clinical Laboratory. 2020; 66:2235-2244.
    10. Baye Gelaw, Abiye Tigabu, Temesgen Tadesse, Zerubable Tegegne, Workagegnehu Hailu, Eiman Mahmud, Tekeba Sisay, and Wagaw Sendeku. Mycobacterium tuberculosisand HIV co-infection among presumptive tuberculosis cases and asthmatic patients at University of Gondar hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Clin Laboratory. 2021; 67:1-8.
    11. Gizeaddis Belay, Baye Gelaw, Abiye Tigabu and R. P. Raju. Indoor bacterial pollution, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and associated risk factors of bacterial isolates among residences of Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Indoor and Built Environment. 2020: 115.
    12. Mulusew Liyew Ayalew, Wubet Birhan Yigzaw, Abiye Tigabu, Baye Gelaw Tarekegn. Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors and Rifampicin Resistance Pattern of Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Children's at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest, Ethiopia. Infection and Drug Resistance. 2020; 13:3863.
    13. Abiye Tigabu, Abiyot Jember, Temesgen Nega, Getachew Wubishet, Hana Misganaw, Tigist Goshu, Markos Negash. Bacterial Meningitis Among Adult Patients at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital. Iinfection and Drug Resistance. 2021:14: 565574.
    14. Abiye Tigabu, Alem Getaneh. Staphylococcus aureus, ESKAPE Bacteria Challenging Current Health Care and Community Settings: A Literature Review. Clinical Laboratory. 2021; 67:1539-1549.
    15. Atsedewoyn Firesbhat, Abiye Tigabu, Birhanemeskel Tegene and Baye Gelaw. Bacterial profile of high-touch surfaces, leftover drugs and antiseptics together with their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. BMC microbiology. 2021 Dec;21(1):1-3.
    16. Muluneh Assefa, Abiye Tigabu, Teshome Belachew, and Belay Tessema. Bacterial profile, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated factors of community-acquired pneumonia among adult patients in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. PloS one. 2022 Feb 1;17(2):e0262956.
    17. Minichil Worku, Gizeadis Belay, Abiye Tigabu. Bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in cancer patients. Plos one. 2022 Apr 15;17(4):e0266919.
    18. Minichil Worku, Melak Aynalem, Sirak Biset, Berhanu Woldu, Tiruneh Adane, Abiye Tigabu. Role of complete blood cell count parameters in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. BMC pediatrics. 2022 Jul 13;22(1):411.
    19. Tiruneh Adane, Minichil Worku, Abiye Tigabu, Melak Aynalem. Hematological abnormalities in culture positive neonatal sepsis. Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics. 2022 Jun 7:217-25.
    20. Hana Yohannes, Teshome Belachew, Muluneh Assefa, Eden Getaneh, Haymanot Zeray, Asamirew Kegne, Samre Angawu, Gizeaddis Belay, Sirak Biset, Abiye Tigabu. Pathogenic bacteria recovered from Gene X-pert tuberculosis-negative adult patients in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Pulmonary Medicine. 2023 Dec;23(1):1-9.
    21. Ayechew Adera Getu, Abiye Tigabu, Ming Zhou, Jianrong Lu, Øystein Fodstad, Ming Tan. New frontiers in immune checkpoint B7-H3 (CD276) research and drug development. Molecular Cancer. 2023 Dec;22(1):1-5.
    22. Muluneh Assefa, Azanaw Amare, Teshome Belachew, Abiye Tigabu. Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella Pneumoniae Caused Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. Clinical Laboratory. 2024 Sep 1;70(9).
    23. Abiye Tigabu. Immunoregulatory protein B7-H3 upregulated in bacterial and viral infection and its diagnostic potential in clinical settings. Frontiers in Immunology. 2024 Oct 21; 15:1472626.