iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 29/09/2026

Applications are now open for the UC President's Postdoc Fellowship Reach out if you want to submit an applicaiton focused on environmental/soil sciences, biogeochemistry, climate change, & related areas As a former fellow, this is a program I highly recommend 4 ECRs interested in academic careers

screenshot of the call for applications for the UC President's Postdoctoral Fellowship program

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 15/06/2026

I'm one of the voices in a new documentary, Groundswell, about soil & the value of regenerative practices in maintaining & restoring soil health Groundswell is from the team behind Kiss the Ground & Common Ground. It's narrated by Demi Moore & Woody Harrelson (check out my favorite soil necklace 😊 )

the coverpage of the documentary Groundswell.

AA Berhe being interviewed in the documentary

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 03/06/2026

Came work with me at the emerging UC Merced Earth Institute. We have two open positions for a: 1) Grant Writer aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02181 2) Communications and Outreach Coordinator aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02180 Please share with your networks, and reach out if u have questions I can answer.

image of the beginings statue at UC Merced.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 29/04/2026

Prof. Adriana Romero-Olivares, UC Riverside, was doing incredible work on how fungi and ecosystems respond to global change. A rising voice, a dynamic scientist and educator, a young mother, wife and daughter gone far too soon. A huge loss. Her family, students and community are in my thoughts.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 29/04/2026

Prof. YangQuan Chen, UC Merced, was a dynamic colleague. I had the honor of collaborting with him & benefited from his generosity. He brought infectious curiosity to everything he touched, from fractional calculus to drones & beyond. A huge loss for his family, students, the field & our university.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 23/04/2026

Yay👩🏽‍🔬🎤🧪🎉! Congratulations to @ucmerced.bsky.social graduate student Tahirah Williams, who took home the first-place Slammy trophy at University of California systemwide Grad Slam AND won the People’s Choice award! Go Bobcats! @ucmgraddiv.bsky.social @uofcalifornia.bsky.social #scicomm

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 09/04/2026

So wonderful to see the innovative design that includes composting toilet and preservation of pieces from the historic barn that was on the land before the UC Merced campus was built.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 09/04/2026

Congraulations to my LES dept colleagues Jessica Blois & Jason Sexton (past & current Faculty Directors of UC Merced Natural Reserve System) and team on the official opening of the Field Education and Research Center at the Merced Vernal Pools & Grassland Reserve today ucnature.org/reserves/mer...

Department of LIfe and Environmental Sciences faculty at the the new UC Merced Field Research and Education Center, located in the The Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve

Opening celebration of the new UC Merced Field Research and Education Center, in the The Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 10/03/2026

I grew up during political turmoil and war. My community faced many challenges. What kept me going in school during all that was something my parents instilled in me from early on. Money can disappear. Fame & beauty fade. Politics changes. "Education is the only lasting wealth in the world".

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 10/03/2026

This past weekend, I had the honor of keynoting an event hosted by CSU Channel Islands, Oxnard College, & ACS CA Los Padres section. A student asked what I'd say 2 some1 excited about higher ed, but is horrified by today's political climate. It's an important question that deserves a serious answer.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 17/02/2026

May your soul rest in eternal peace and power, Rev. Jesse Jackson. I had the honor of meeting him my first week in DC, as I started my DOE appointment. He couldn't have been kinder. That moment served as an incredible motivator as I began my journey in government. A giant, in every sense.

A pictures of Asmeret with the Rev Jesse Jackson

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 07/02/2026

I just returned from Dakar where I co-chaired the NASEM US-Africa Frontiers in Science, Engineering, & Medicine symposium tinyurl.com/ybdjn22m. It was an extraordinary gathering of leading scholars from across Africa & US discussing timely research. Truly one of the highlights of my career!

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 30/01/2026

Attending today's California's First Nature Based Solutions Summit, it was so lovely to meet our @ucmerced.bsky.social @snriucmerced.bsky.social alumni who now hold key positions across the state.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 30/01/2026

A lot going on in the world these days. It is an incredible privilage to live & work in our state where today CNRA, CARB and CDFA hosted California's First Nature Based Solutions Summit. It was an honor to be invited to speak along with many folx I admire. So much soil love throughout the day 🤎!

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 22/12/2025

🌟✨New paper: Check out our New Phytologist Tansley review on how changing precipitation patterns (changes in amount, intensity, & frequency of ppt already being observed due to climate change) affect soil organic matter dynamics. nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.... @ghezzehei.bsky.social

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 21/12/2025

The science breakthrough of 2025 is Solar Energy, not because it is new but because of how successful its deployment has been. This year renewable energy surpassed coal as a source of electricity worldwide. Hopeful sign for what’s to come. www.science.org/content/arti...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 15/12/2025

TFW your professional society, at a conference you've been attending for 20+ years, finally gets your name to appear on the badge correctly. #AGU25

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 05/12/2025

Happy world SOIL day all! Soil is life! Soil is beautiful!

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 02/12/2025

On this #GivingTuesday, if you are able, please support local scientists working to address some of the most pressing environmental, climate, and related challenges at the @snriucmerced.bsky.social Make a gift today: lnkd.in/girEEWra Learn more at snri.ucmerced.edu Follow us on social media.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 22/11/2025

The fervor around college sports in the US will always fascinate me. And, when my child is excitedly rooting for his school's team, I can't help but cheer as they crush the visitors today.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 11/11/2025

Bonus, got to attend a performance at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the historical home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 11/11/2025

#CANVAS2025 (ASA,CSSA, SSSA) at Salt Lake. I love the new format of the opening ceremony & our keynote panel. It was fun to imagine the next 40 years of research undertaken by our scientific societies and how we are doing in preparing the next generation of scholars and thought leaders.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 31/10/2025

As always, SACNAS @sacnas.bsky.social continues to be vibrant, brilliant, and healing. I’m so grateful for all the love showered on me yesterday.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 20/09/2025

Energized and hopeful after attending the annual meeting of the @uc-ppfp.bsky.social with a new fellow in our department & my wonderful @ucmerced.bsky.social colleagues.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 12/09/2025

The application is now open for the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. If you are interested in applying for this fellowship to work with me, do reach out and visit the How to Apply section for key dates and application requirements. see lnkd.in/gKafRtku

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 27/08/2025

First day of teaching! Excited to be teaching a graduate-level soil organic matter dynamics class—the largest grad class I've taught to date! Students are eager to learn all about soil, carbon, and more. I'm always so excited to teach this class.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 26/08/2025

It was a pleasure to visit @woodwellclimate.bsky.social and engage in many wonderful conversations. Many thanks to Taniya RoyChowdhury for the invitation.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 15/08/2025

Key messages: 1) Timing/Seasonality of change matters for C storage in Mediterranean grasslands under climate change. 2) Deep soil response matters as 1/3rd of SOC is below 1m. 3) Plant and soil systems' response to changes in precipitation is tightly coupled 2/2 bg.copernicus.org/articles/22/...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 08/08/2025

🎓 Congratulations to our newly minted PhD, Dr. Melinda Gonzales! Special thanks to @beccaryals.bsky.social for stepping in to advise Melinda during my extended leave and continuing as a wonderful mentor and co-advisor. Grateful also to our awesome committee members for their guidance and support.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 30/07/2025

This is new @agu.org Has this ever been a thing before this year? Did I just miss this?

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 24/07/2025

In the 1990s, this issue finally received the global attention it deserved, and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines received the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2025, the promise of a mine-free future for the world is slipping away. www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 24/07/2025

For more on the current issue, read the @ucmerced.bsky.social press release Bottom line, we need defense strategies that don't weaponize our shared environment and cause misery for generations. Alternative approaches exist—let's choose them. news.ucmerced.edu/news/2025/uc...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 19/07/2025

Timely reminder! I’ve had this shirt for a while now … I got it in 2017 after McConnell said “Nevertheless she (Elizabeth Warren) persisted” after a Senate debate. It’s taken on new significance lately, for obvious reasons. 📸: @teamrat.bsky.social 📍: Lake Yosemite

Picture of Asmeret wearing a t-shirt that reads “nevertheless science persisted” while standing in front of a lake during sunset

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 27/06/2025

My thanks to the American Chemical Society, C&EN for this timely piece on the importance of cultivating societal trust in science and scientists. Direct link to the audio lnkd.in/gRqKYCit Link to the full piece lnkd.in/gahwChnx

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 19/06/2025

Decades of federal support for basic research by the DOE Office of Science is advancing radiopharmaceutical development and cancer therapy. I'm delighted to celebrate this milestone and opening of a new pipeline for these lifesaving isotopes, Actinium-225. content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USD...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 13/06/2025

Today, NSF added another 500 GRFP awardees, bringing this year’s total to 1500 www.research.gov/grfp/Awardee...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 10/06/2025

They included this in the info on the link by the way, I’m not associated with the group.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 10/06/2025

2030STEM in partnership with Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is building a new, catalytic resource to advance the careers of early to mid-career STEM researchers and professionals who are motivated to build an inclusive STEM ecosystem. Get more informarion at 2030stem.org/fellowship-1

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 29/05/2025

Two all-around amazing scientists will deliver ESA Plenary talks this year: - Sasha Reed @ecology-awesome.bsky.social - New Phytologist Foundation Keynote speaker - Kathleen Treseder - MacArthur Lecturer Congratulations on this well deserved honor Kathleen and Sasha! esa.org/baltimore202...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 28/05/2025

Excited to co-Chair @nationalacademies.org 2026 U.S.-Africa Frontiers Symposium to bring together outstanding US & African early- & mid-career STEMM professionals to explore advances & emerging opportunities in STEMM. Application deadline is July 31, 2025. www.nationalacademies.org/event/45168_...

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 27/05/2025

My website views ve been through the roof... esp. from one university. Looks like there's a class assignment about me/my lab. To the students visiting my site: Hi 👋 I see you! No idea what they were asked to research. Who wants to guess? (keep it fun)

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 17/05/2025

So proud of all our UC Merced graduates! Go Bobcats! Fiat Lux! @ucmerced.bsky.social

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 17/05/2025

It’s always fun and an honor to celebrate our @ucmerced.bsky.social graduates with my wonderful colleagues. @beccaryals.bsky.social @teamrat.bsky.social LES faculty and more.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 17/05/2025

Congratulations to our 3 soil science PhD graduates — Jennifer, Yulissa, and Melinda! @teamrat.bsky.social @beccaryals.bsky.social

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 17/05/2025

Congratulations to soon-to-be Dr. Melinda Gonzales. Can’t wait to see her shine her bright light into the future. It was a special honor to hood Melinda with my incredible colleague @beccaryals.bsky.social who generously stepped in to mentor Melinda when I started my previous position at DOE.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 17/05/2025

#Commencement2025 is both celebration of our students' hard work & act of resistance - a defiance to the unreal chaos that our knowledge systems r being subjected to these days. Each moment of joy & diploma represents another dream that will not be deferred & our wish 4 more success 4 our students.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 12/05/2025

This is bittersweet. I'm grateful for the honor, but sad by the challenges facing STEM & higher ed. I want to take this moment to recognize the scientists, researchers & educators who continue to advocate 4 & uphold these crucial system, even in difficult times. My thanks to my UC Merced colleagues.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 09/05/2025

New pub in @aguadvances.bsky.social: "A Soil Scientist Goes to Washington: Navigating the Path to National #ScienceLeadership" #STEM Sharing my journey as DOE Office of Science Director, the challenges faced, and why inclusive excellence in STEM matters now more than ever. Read: tinyurl.com/ms2nhr4f

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 09/05/2025

Until recently, the US S&T enterprise & higher ed systems were the envy of the world. The way it's being gutted is beyond heartbreaking. The US innovation engine is crumbling before our eyes. This moment in history is not just sad—it is profoundly tragic & represents an incalculable loss. So unreal.

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Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe @aaberhe.com · 05/05/2025

Wonderful, much needed time at the lake with @ucmerced.bsky.social Life and Environmental Sciences faculty and students. … the judges (all kids) voted my dessert the best. Clearly we should let kids make all important decisions from now on — their taste is impeccable!

A picture of tiramisu, made to look like it had plants on soil, and with a dinosaur ribbon.

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