Brhanu Fentaw Znabu

I’m a PhD researcher in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, currently advised by Nicole Sexton.

My research bridges computational biology and AI-driven genomics. I explore how arboviruses evolve and adapt across hosts, leveraging machine learning, deep learning, and high-performance computing to analyse codon-usage patterns, predict viral evolution, and optimise protein expression. I integrate genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics with large-language models / NLP for genomics, building predictive models of host–virus interactions that inform precision medicine, antiviral strategies, and synthetic biology.

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About

Prior to my PhD, I earned an M.S. in Biomedical Science and Engineering from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Korea, where I used unsupervised machine-learning algorithms (autoregressive models and hidden Markov models) to reveal intricate 3D behavioural patterns in diabetic-neuropathy mouse models. I also hold a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Jimma University, Ethiopia, graduating in the top 2% of the School of Biomedical Engineering.

If you don’t find me at my computer, I’m probably exploring a coffee house ☕ or working out at the gym 🏋️.

Grants and Awards

• Jun 2018: Graduated in the top 2% of the School of Biomedical Engineering, Jimma University, Ethiopia
• Jun 2018: Best BSc Thesis Award, Ethiopian Science, Technology & Innovation, Jimma, Ethiopia
• Jun 2020: Research Grant for Colostomy Device Development, Hawassa University, Ethiopia
• Dec 2020: Korean Government Full Scholarship for Master’s Study, GIST, Korea

News

• Apr 2025: Manuscript “Moseq-based 3D Behavioural Changes in Diabetic-Neuropathy Mice Models” accepted in Nature Scientific Reports.
• Aug 2024: Joined the Sexton Lab as a PhD student, School of Biological Sciences, UNL.