Dr. Tewodros A. Tesfamichael

I am a hydrogeologist with over a decade of experience in groundwater assessment and management, as well as environmental investigations. My work involves collecting, integrating, and analyzing complex geological, hydrogeological, and geochemical data to evaluate groundwater quantity and quality. I focus on combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to develop data-driven solutions for sustainable groundwater development and management. I aim to advance understanding of groundwater and aquifer system through the application of rigorous scientific methods, contributing to practical solutions that enhance groundwater resilience and sustainability in New Mexico.

Ph.D., Geoscience at Graz University of Technology, Austria, May 2011

M.S., Earth System Science at Wageningen University, the Netherlands, August 2005

B.S., Applied Geology, Mekelle University, Ethiopia, July 2001

10/2025 - Present: Research Associate IV-Hydrogeologist, NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, NM Tech

10/2023 - 09/2025: Visting Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology/Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Texas

07/2011- 09/2023: Assi/Asso. Professor, Mekelle University, Ethiopia

09/2005 - 02/2008: Lecturer, Mekelle University, Ethiopia

07/2001 - 09/2003: Graduate assistant, Mekelle University, Ethiopia

Research Interests

• Groundwater–surface water interactions and coupled hydrologic systems

• Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)

• Hydrogeochemical modeling

• Isotope hydrology and environmental tracers

• Groundwater vulnerability assessment and sustainability

• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2025-
• Geological Society of America, Member, 2023-
• Geological Society of Africa, Member, 2010–2011

Peer-reviewed papers

1. Haile T. Abadi, Tewodros Alemayehu, Berihu A. Berhe, 2024. Assessing the suitability of water for irrigation purposes using irrigation water quality indices in the Irob catchment, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Water Quality Research Journal 2024; wqrj2024055. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wqrj.2024.055

2. Haile T. Abadi, Tewodros Alemayehu, Berihu A. Berhe, 2024. Heavy metal's pollution health risk assessment and source appraisal of groundwater and surface water in Irob catchment, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Appl Water Sci 14, 201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-024-02237-9.

3. Haile T. Abadi, Tewodros Alemayehu, Berihu A. Berhe, 2024. Hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in mountainous catchment and its suitability for drinking purposes in Irob, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Water Practice and Technology 19 (4): 1495–1512. https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2024.067

4. Emnet Negash, Emiru Birhane, Aster Gebrekirstos, Mewcha A. Gebremedhin, Sofie Annys, Meley M. Rannestad, Daniel Hagos Berhe, Amare Sisay, Tewodros Alemayehu, Tsegai Berhane, Belay M. Gebru, Negasi Solomon, Jan Nyssen 2023. Remote sensing reveals how armed conflict regressed woody vegetation cover and ecosystem restoration efforts in Tigray, Ethiopia. Science of Remote Sensing 8, 100108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srs.2023.100108

5. Brhanemeskel Weleabzgi, Tewodros Alemayehu and Samual Estifanos, 2022. Assessing the environmental impact of artisanal gold mining activities on waters and sediments of Meli area, northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia. Momona Ethiopian Journal of Science (MEJS): Volume 13 (2):281-299.10.4314/mejs.v13i2.6

6. Tewodros Alemayehu, Abdulaziz Osman and Haddush Goitom, 2021. The challenges of construction waste management in Mekelle, northern Ethiopia. MEJS Volume 13 (1):177-190. 10.4314/mejs.v13i1.10

7. Tewodros Alemayehu, Leis, A., Dietzel, M., 2020. Environmental isotope and hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in central portion of Mekelle sedimentary outlier, northern Ethiopia, Journal of African Earth Sciences, Vol 171. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2020.103953

8. Tewodros Alemayehu, M. Gebreslassie and H. Amanuel, D. Bekele, 2019. Assessment of the Impact of Landfill Leachate on Groundwater and Surrounding Surface Water - A Case Study of Mekelle City, Northern Ethiopia. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 5 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-019-00328-z

9. Tewodros Alemayehu, Albrecht Leis and Martin Dietzel, 2018. Groundwater Evolution in the Multilayer Aquifers of the Mekelle Sedimentary Outlier (Northern Ethiopia): A Chemical and Isotopic Approach In: Chaminé H., Barbieri M., Kisi O., Chen M., Merkel B. (eds) Advances in Sustainable and Environmental Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Hydrochemistry and Water Resources. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (IEREK Interdisciplinary Series for Sustainable Development). Springer, Cham https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01572-5_50

10. Tewodros Alemayehu, Albrecht Leis, Anton Eisenhauer, Martin Dietzel, 2011. Multi-proxy approach (2H/H, 18O/16O, 13C/12C and 87Sr/86Sr) for the evolution of carbonate-rich groundwater in basalt dominated aquifer of Axum area, Northern Ethiopia. Chemie der Erde 71, pp.177-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemer.2011.02.007

Conference Proceedings and Papers

• Tewodros Alemayehu, Bridget R Scanlon, and Sofia Berdysheva, 2024. Increased vulnerability of hydropower generation to climate extremes in Sub-Saharan Africa AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2024, GC31P-0035

• Tewodros Alemayehu, Paul Bauman, and Bridget R Scanlon, 2024. Challenges of Accessing Water Supplies in Protracted African Refugee Camps. AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts 2024 H43Q-1113

• Tewodros Alemayehu, Solomun Atsbaha Gebru, 2023. Geophysical and Infiltration Surveys to Characterize the Subsurface Groundwater Storage in the Alamata Graben of Ethiopian Rift Valley Margin AGU Fall Meeting

• Tewodros Alemayehu, Martin Dietzel, 2013. Environmental isotopes as a tool to identify groundwater chemical characteristics and sources in crystalline rocks, Axum, 24th Colloquium of African Geology (CAG24) Jan 8-14, 2013, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• Tewodros Alemayehu, Martin Dietzel, 2011. The nature of CO₂-rich groundwater in basalt aquifer (Axum); Source and reaction pathways. International Water Congress 2011, 19-26 September 2011, Mekelle, Ethiopia.

• Tewodros Alemayehu, Martin Dietzel and Albrecht Leis, 2010. Evolution of groundwater in volcanic aquifer of Axum, Ethiopia: Isotopic and hydrochemical evidence. In: P. Birkle& I.S. Torres-Alvarado (eds.) Water-Rock Interaction–13, Taylor & Francis, pp.47-50. ISBN 987-0-415-60426-0

• Tewodros. Alemayehu, M. Dietzel and A. Leis, 2010. Geochemical Evolution of Groundwater Quality in Shallow and Deep Wells of Volcanic Aquifer in Axum, Ethiopia. In: A. Zuber, J. Kania and E. Kmiecik (eds.) Groundwater Quality Sustainability, proceedings, pp 413-418.

• Tewodros Alemayehu, Martin Dietzel and Albrecht Leis, 2010. Deciphering natural variability of groundwater chemistry using hydrochemical and stable isotope data in Axum aquifer, Ethiopia. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 12, EGU2010-5072, Vienna, Austria.