By Ethiopian Science Academy

Professor Heluf Gebrekidan who was inducted as Fellow of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) in January 2013, sadly and suddenly passed away on June 26, 2014 at the young age of 55. In the presence of his family members and friends from the Haramaya University (HU) community, his funeral and burial service was completed at the Holy Selassie Church in Harar on June 28.
The late Professor Heluf received his BSc degree in Plant Sciences in 1980 and MSc in Soil Science in 1985 from the former Alemaya College of Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, now HU. He obtained his PhD degree in Soil and Water Science from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA in 1995.

For over two decades, Professor Heluf served Haramaya University (HU) with distinction in teaching, research and extension in the soils discipline climbing the academic ranks all the way from Assistant Lecturer to Professor. In addition, he has served HU administratively ranging from Dean of the College of Agriculture, Coordinator of the Plant Science Graduate Program, Leader of Soil and Water Management Research, and Editor- in-Chief of the East African Journal of Science.

The major courses which Professor Heluf taught at HU were Advanced Soils and Plant Nutrition, Soil Chemistry, Management of Arid and Salt Affected Soils. Among his most recent areas of research were Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition, Combating Nutrient Depletion in the Ethiopian Highlands, and Soil Characterization and Classification.
As author or co-author, he has published over 30 scientific articles in the soils area in peer-reviewed Journals.
His membership in Professional Associations included the Ethiopian Society of Soil Science (ESSS), the Ethiopian Association of Agricultural Professionals (EAAP), and the Association of Ethiopian Alumni of American Universities (AEAAU), among others.

During his years with HU, Professor Heluf has served as advisor or co-advisor of 73 MSc and 14 PhD graduate students.
The EAS recognizes that it has lost one of its youngest and promising Fellows and hereby extends its condolences to the family and friends of the late Professor Heluf Gebrekidan.