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Mekonnen is from Ethiopia, where he served as an instructor and researcher at Haramaya and Wollo Universities. He graduated from Addis Ababa University in Master of Science in Pharmacology (experimental stream), 2015, with cGPA of 3.95/4.00.

Regarding his research experience, he has authored several original studies, editorials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding chemotherapy (cancer and antimicrobials). In this regard,  he wrote literature reviews about molecular targets of cancer including cyclin dependent kinases (CDK4/6) (), poly-ADP ribose polymerases (PARPs) () and the RANK/RANKL/OPG molecular triad system in tumourigenesis (). In recognition of his contribution, he received the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Association young researcher award in 2019.

A key aim of his project is to determine how MYCN amplification influences different cancer associated fibroblast (CAF) populations, and whether this can be augmented using targeted drug therapies in neuroblastoma.