Dr. Amanuel Tamiru is a Senior Scientist under the Push-Pull Programme, Plant Health Theme. He obtained a Ph.D. from Kenyatta University and holds an MSc in Biology (Insect Sciences) from Addis Ababa University and a BSc in Agriculture (Plant Sciences) from Hawassa University.

He conducts cutting-edge research in plant signaling and insect-plant interactions, employing the latest behavioural and chemical ecology techniques. He has discovered, for the first time, that insect-egg deposition induces the production of bioactive volatiles attractive to parasitic wasps in some maize cultivars and elucidated underpinning molecular mechanisms. His other key discoveries include elucidating the underpinning chemical ecology mechanisms of the ‘Push-Pull’ cropping system in fighting an invasive fall armyworm pest, characterization of the first male-produced aggregation pheromone in the genus Megalurothrips and identification of volatile semiochemicals mediating vector thrips species-maize chlorotic mottle virus-host plant interactions.

He is a recipient of several highly competitive awards and fellowships including the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers (CGIAR) Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC) - Early Career Scientist Award, the prestigious Rothamsted International Award, Rothamsted Research (UK), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Award, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, (Germany), Entomological Society of America (ESA) - Early Professionals (STEP) Award and icipe's Governing Council Award for Best Published Science Paper. He has authored and co-authored several scientific publications in high-impact journals such as Ecology Letters.

Tamiru serves as an editor for ‘Arthropod-Plant Interactions (Springer-Nature)’, Physiological Entomology’, ‘International Journal of Tropical Insect Science’ and ‘Chemical Ecology’ section of ‘Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution journal. He is an active member of several professional bodies including the International Society of Chemical Ecology, the Entomological Society of America, The African Association of Insect Scientists, and the Plant Protection Society of Ethiopia (PPSE).

He is interested in understanding the underlying chemical ecology mechanisms of insect–plant and plant-plant interactions, above-below ground, with the aim of developing innovative, ecologically sustainable, and affordable solutions to manage crop pests that threaten food and nutrition security.