SCHOLAR | SCIENTISTS | EDUCATOR | SCIENCE LEADER | PUBLIC SPEAKER
Scholar | Scientist | Educator | Science Leader | Public Speaker
AA Berhe CV
(a subset of Dr. Berhe’s experiences are listed below. For her full record refer to the CV)
Education
Ph.D. Biogeochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, 2006
M.Sc. Political Ecology, Michigan State University, 2000
B.Sc. Soil and Water Conservation, University of Asmara 1996
Professional Experience
Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry and Falasco Chair in Earth Sciences, University of California, Merced, 2019 – Present
Director, DOE Office of Science (Senate confrimed, Presidential Appointment) 2022 – 2024
Adjunct Professor, Salk Institute of Biological Studies, 2021 – 2022
Associate Dean for Graduate Education, UC Merced, 2019 – 2022
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine
– Chair, U.S. National Committee for Soil Sciences, 2016 – 2019
– Member, Board on International Scientific Organizations, 2015 – 2022
President’s Postdoctoral Fellow, UC Berkeley and UC Davis, 2006 – 2008
Recent Awards and Honors
Elected, National Academy of Engineering, 2023
John M. Hayes Award (Organic Geochemistry), Geochemical Society, 2023
Fellow, American Geophysical Union, 2020
Joanne Simpson Medal, American Geophysical Union, 2020
Great Immigrant, Great American; Carnegie Co. of New York, 2020
Fellow, Geological Society of America, 2020
Randolph W. “Bill” and Cecile T. Bromery Award, Geological Society of America, 2019
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics & Engineering Mentoring, (PAESMEM) to ESWN, 2018
National Science Foundation CAREER award, 2014
Editorship
Journal of Geophysical Research – Biogeosciences (2019 – 2021)
Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene (2019 – 2021)
Biogeochemistry, Associate Editor (2014 – 2019)
SOIL, Associate Editor (2014 – 2019)
Public Speaker
As a public speaker, Dr. Berhe offers compelling insights on the intersection of science, policy, and social justice. Dr. Berhe’s engaging presentations are tailored to diverse audiences, from scientific seminars and conferences to community forums, educational institutions, and corporate events. With her unique perspective as a globally recognized soil scientist and passionate advocate for inclusive excellence in the academy and specifically STEM, Dr. Berhe delivers thought-provoking talks that educate, inspire, and motivate action toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
for examples of Dr. Berhe’s speaking engagements see links below:
– A collection of youtube videos of talks and interviews by Dr. Berhe,
– A listing of media interviews and press coverage of Dr. Berhe’s work,
– 2019 TEDtalk “A climate change solution that’s right under our feet”, and
– 2023 TEDtalk “We actually have a shot at stopping the climate crisis”