Tafesse Gobena is a Research Fellow at the International Potato Center (CIP), where he conducts interdisciplinary research on seed potato systems and seed quality assurance approaches in Ethiopia. In addition, Shiferaw investigates effective containment strategies to deal with bacterial wilt in the context of smallholder potato production and monitoring of the disease. He has over 15 years of experience in agricultural research and development activities, including analysing molecular and socio-ecological aspects of bacterial wilt in potato, seed systems, climate-smart agriculture and innovation systems approach. He has also extensive experience in social dimensions of potato disease management and collective action among farmers.

Shiferaw holds a PhD in Crop Protection and Innovation Systems from Wageningen University and Research. He has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals, mainly relating to understanding and managing bacterial wilt in potato and analysis of seed potato systems.