President

Professor Amare Abebe is a theoretical cosmologist and the current Director of the Centre for Space Research (CSR) at North-West University (NWU), South Africa, where he also holds the position of Professor of Cosmology. His research interests span cosmological perturbation theory, large-scale structure formation, modified theories of gravity, interacting dark energy and dark matter models, and observational tensions in contemporary cosmology, such as the Hubble constant and structure growth discrepancies.

He obtained his BSc degree from Addis Ababa University and went on to complete both his MSc and PhD in Cosmology at the University of Cape Town, specializing in modified gravity and cosmology.

Prof. Abebe is an active member of several professional bodies, including the International Astronomical Union, the South African Gravity Society, and the South African Institute of Physics. He currently serves as the President of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS), where he leads efforts to strengthen astronomy research, education, and outreach across the continent. His work at AfAS focuses on capacity building, continental collaboration, outreach, and positioning Africa as a key player in global astronomy.

He has contributed to numerous international research collaborations and has served as a mentor to emerging African scientists, reflecting his deep commitment to empowering the next generation of researchers. Under his leadership, the CSR at NWU has expanded its research footprint and postgraduate training initiatives. 

Driven by a vision of an inclusive, connected, and scientifically empowered Africa, Prof. Abebe is passionate about advancing frontier science while fostering a vibrant, collaborative African astronomy community. He views astronomy as both a unifying science and a powerful tool for innovation, education, and development on the continent.