Awet Abraha Research Assistant BS, Human Biology, University of Minnesota at Mankato axa143 [at] cwru [dot] edu

Awet is originally from Eritrea, moving to the United States in 1992. She graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 2000 and has been working for Dr. Eric Arts since then. Awet’s current project involves investigating the properties of HIV-1 subtype C viruses obtained from Zimbabwe. By comparing the fitness of these Zimbabwean HIV-1 isolates to those found in other parts of the world, she’s looking to determine the pathogenesis of these subtype C HIV-1 strains and their role in disease progression to AIDS. In addition to her role in research, Awet is also the laboratory manager and is responsible for; maintaining laboratory inventory, ordering supplies, maintaining budgets, teaching new graduate students and visiting scientists from around the world, and supervising undergraduate students.