Lemlem Degafu Abate was born in Robe, Ethiopia, and began her journey into biomedical engineering after high school by joining Jimma University, where she graduated with a BSc in Biomedical Engineering in 2016. Her career started the same year at the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia, where she managed medical equipment lifecycles and contributed significantly to developing health technology policies and guidelines. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as Logistics Coordinator at the National Emergency Operation Centre, ensuring the distribution of vital medical supplies and PPEs.

Her humanitarian efforts extended to conflict zones, where she assessed healthcare needs and established temporary facilities. In 2021, she earned an MA in Project Management in Ethiopia, and in 2022, she moved to Italy to pursue an MSc in Biomedical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Marche. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD under the mentorship of Professor Leandro Pecchia at Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, focusing on innovative smart trap systems for vector surveillance, integrating IoTs and Artificial Intelligence.

As a founding member and Deputy President of the Society of Women Biomedical Engineering Professionals in Ethiopia, she is dedicated to promoting women’s growth and empowerment in the field.

Her commitment to biomedical engineering drives her to innovate and advance healthcare technology, with a particular focus on impacting low and middle-income countries.