13/01/2026
Addis Mekonnen Founder and CEO of Choke Manufacturing PLC: His academic biography
Addis Mekonnen is a physicist, materials scientist, and academic–industrial leader whose career spans fundamental physics, advanced materials research, and translational nanotechnology, with extensive experience across Africa and Europe. His professional trajectory is characterized by sustained academic excellence, international research engagement, and the successful integration of scientific research with industrial innovation.
He commenced his formal education at Motta Secondary School, where he demonstrated exceptional academic performance and graduated as the top-ranked student of his cohort. This early distinction reflected a strong aptitude for analytical reasoning, scientific inquiry, and disciplined scholarship. His outstanding secondary education provided the intellectual foundation upon which his subsequent academic and research achievements were built.
Following his secondary education, Addis Mekonnen enrolled at Bahir Dar University, one of Ethiopia’s leading higher education institutions, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, completing his undergraduate studies in 1997 Ethiopian Calendar. During this period, he acquired comprehensive training in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum physics, solid-state physics, and statistical mechanics, alongside rigorous laboratory instruction. His undergraduate education emphasized experimental precision, mathematical modeling, and critical scientific thinking, equipping him with the competencies required for advanced research in physical sciences.
In recognition of his academic merit and potential, Addis Mekonnen was appointed in 1999 Ethiopian Calendar as a Graduate Assistant at Bahir Dar University. In this academic role, he contributed substantively to undergraduate education by assisting in lecture delivery, supervising laboratory courses, and supporting curriculum implementation within the physics department. Concurrently, he participated in departmental research activities, gaining early exposure to academic research culture, scientific documentation, and collaborative inquiry. This appointment marked the beginning of his long-standing engagement with higher education teaching and mentorship.
Driven by a desire for advanced specialization and exposure to world-class research environments, Addis Mekonnen pursued further studies in Germany, enrolling at the University of Stuttgart in the field of Solid State Physics. His graduate training was conducted in close collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, one of the world’s foremost centers for condensed matter and materials science research. His master’s thesis focused on Raman light scattering investigations of multiferroic materials, a highly specialized area at the intersection of lattice dynamics, magnetism, and ferroelectricity.
At the Max Planck Institute, Addis Mekonnen designed and executed sophisticated Raman spectroscopy experiments, analyzed phonon–spin–charge interactions, and investigated magneto-electric coupling mechanisms in complex functional materials. This work demanded a high level of experimental rigor, advanced data interpretation skills, and familiarity with state-of-the-art characterization instrumentation. His research experience in Germany significantly strengthened his methodological expertise and placed him within an elite international research ecosystem characterized by interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific excellence.
Subsequently, Addis Mekonnen continued his academic advancement through doctoral (PhD) research in the Netherlands (Holland). His PhD stay further consolidated his expertise in solid-state physics and advanced materials characterization, while reinforcing his capacity for independent scientific inquiry. During this period, he engaged deeply with experimental research, theoretical interpretation, and scientific writing, contributing to the development of high-level research outputs. His doctoral experience expanded his international academic network and enhanced his understanding of European research frameworks, funding structures, and institutional collaboration.
Following the completion of his doctoral training, Addis Mekonnen undertook postdoctoral research, during which he continued to operate at the forefront of materials science and applied physics. His postdoctoral work emphasized advanced experimental techniques, optimization of material properties, and the systematic translation of physical principles into application-oriented research. This phase of his career further strengthened his scientific independence, leadership in research planning, and ability to manage complex experimental programs across institutional boundaries.
After several years of international academic and research engagement, Addis Mekonnen returned to Ethiopia, where he assumed a strategic role in strengthening national capacity in physics, materials science, and innovation. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor, contributing to higher education through teaching, curriculum development, student mentorship, and research supervision. His academic work emphasizes rigorous scientific methodology, experimental competence, and the training of the next generation of scientists and engineers.
In parallel with his academic responsibilities, Addis Mekonnen is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Choke PLC, a technology-driven enterprise focused on advanced materials and nanotechnology. Under his leadership, Choke PLC has developed capabilities in the synthesis, characterization, and application of copper oxide nanoparticles, with particular emphasis on biomedical and healthcare applications, including chronic wound management. His role as CEO encompasses scientific direction, product development, research coordination, and strategic engagement with academic and regulatory stakeholders.
Through his dual academic–industrial leadership, Addis Mekonnen has played a central role in bridging fundamental research, applied development, and commercialization. His work integrates physicochemical characterization, nanoparticle synthesis, electrochemical methods, biological evaluation, and quality assurance, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to translational science. He has been instrumental in establishing collaborative frameworks between universities and industry, promoting research-driven innovation within Ethiopia.
Technically, Addis Mekonnen possesses extensive expertise in Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), electrochemical systems, calcination processes, and nanomaterial synthesis. His analytical capabilities are complemented by proficiency in scientific data analysis, experimental design, and laboratory management. These skills have enabled him to conduct high-impact research across both academic and industrial settings.
Addis Mekonnen is fluent in Amharic and English, with professional working proficiency in German, facilitating effective collaboration across multicultural and international research environments. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to scientific integrity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity building.
At present, Addis Mekonnen stands as a leading figure at the intersection of physics, materials science, nanotechnology, and innovation leadership. His career reflects a rare combination of deep theoretical knowledge, advanced experimental expertise, academic mentorship, and entrepreneurial vision. Through his continued work in research, teaching, and industrial development, he remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge while delivering practical, high-impact solutions to societal and technological challenges.
