Addis Ababa University | Ethiopia
Author Profile
Scopus
Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Trufat Hailemariam Gugsa's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and Geophysics from Addis Ababa University in 1995. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Science degree in the same field from the same institution in 2001. His thesis focused on the "Geotechnical investigation of Sibilu dam site, reservoir, and catchment area." Dr. Gugsa earned his PhD in Civil Engineering and Natural Hazard from the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria, in 2009. His dissertation, titled "Slope Rock Mass Characterization in Tekeze Hydropower Reservoir: Implication to GIS and Satellite Imagery-Based Slope Stability and Reservoir Impounding Induced Hazard Analyses," laid the foundation for his future research endeavors.
Professional Endeavors
Dr. Gugsa has held various academic and professional positions throughout his career. From 1995 to 2005, he served as a lecturer and researcher at Mekelle University, Ethiopia, where he taught courses in engineering geology, soil and rock mechanics, and geomorphology. In 2006, he joined Addis Ababa University as an Associate Professor in the School of Earth Sciences, a position he holds to date. Additionally, he worked as a senior geotechnical engineer at Saba Engineering PLC from 2010 to 2013, contributing to standards, manuals, and procedural developments for foundation investigations.
Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Gugsa's research has primarily focused on slope stability, geotechnical investigations, and geohazard analysis. He has been involved in numerous projects, including landslide hazard zonation and mapping, road slope cut stability assessment, and hydropower reservoir rim slope stability analysis. His expertise extends to GIS-based landslide risk zonation, construction material quality assessment, and dam foundation seepage evaluations. Dr. Gugsa has also contributed to the development of flexible geodatabases for catchment-based projects and geohazard assessments.
Accolades and Recognition
Dr. Gugsa has received several awards and recognition for his contributions to the field. Notably, he was awarded the AEG Best Publication Award in 2024 for his paper on internal erosion and ground fissures around Lake Ziway, Ethiopia. His research has been published in prestigious journals and presented at international conferences, highlighting his significant impact on geotechnical engineering and geohazard analysis.
Impact and Influence
Dr. Gugsa's work has had a profound impact on the field of geotechnical engineering, particularly in Ethiopia. His research has provided valuable insights into slope stability, landslide risk evaluation, and geohazard mitigation, influencing both academic and practical approaches to geotechnical challenges. He has advised over 40 postgraduate research theses, mentoring the next generation of geotechnical engineers and researchers.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. Gugsa's legacy is marked by his extensive contributions to geotechnical research and education. His work has improved the understanding of geotechnical hazards and their mitigation, benefiting infrastructure development and disaster risk management in Ethiopia and beyond. As he continues his career, Dr. Gugsa is poised to make further significant contributions to the field, advancing knowledge and practice in geotechnical engineering and geohazard analysis.
Notable Publications
GIS-based statistical analysis for landslide susceptibility evaluation and zonation mapping: A case from Blue Nile Gorge, Gohatsion-Dejen road corridor, Central Ethiopia 2024
Assessment of rock slope stability using slope stability probability classification (SSPC) system, around AlemKetema, North Shoa, Ethiopia 2021 (10)
Possible Role of Internal Erosion in the Development of Ground Fissures around Lake Ziway, Ethiopia 2024