Mehari Tekeste says international and industry experience will shape his teaching at ISU
Originally from the small nation of Eritrea in the Horn of Africa, Mehari Tekeste has literally traveled the world before coming to Iowa State as an assistant professor this spring. All of his ventures have had one central theme – improving the production of food, fiber and fuel.
He says his interest in agricultural engineering started during his college career at Wageningen University Research Center in the Netherlands. Later he also studied soil engineering at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn, Alabama. That’s when he began applying the principles of soil mechanics while developing soil sensors and tillage designs.
Tekeste then worked at Moline Technology Innovation Center, Deere & Co. in Moline, Illinois, for seven years to support soil and crop technology development for agriculture and construction equipment. While working in industry, he has enjoyed learning about applied engineering problems in off-road machinery, along with the process of capturing customer understanding and needs that drive technology solutions.
These global adventures have been especially invaluable for his success. “Having international exposure gives you an advantage to broaden your understanding and develop a diverse portfolio,” said Tekeste.
Now, he’s settling in at Iowa State to research and teach in the area he was most passionate about – physical systems modeling and soil dynamics. He believes he will add value to linking academia to industry through his research and working with students. “My favorite part of being a professor is working with young and energetic engineers who have great potential to develop innovative solutions and learn from them.”
He is currently collaborating with Steve Mickelson, Charles R. & Jane F. Olsen Professor and ABE department chair, to develop a new elective ABE course in applied soil dynamics and traction that will include computational methods of soil-crop-machine interaction. Tekeste also plans to teach agricultural machinery and systems in the fall.
He feels fortunate to have joined the growing ABE department. “It gives me additional energy to work in Elings Hall – it’s equipped with state-of-the art laboratory facilities and a leading advanced machinery agricultural engineering team.”