·         Ph.D. in Mechanical Systems Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, 2010

·         M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Addis Ababa University, 2004

·         B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Bahir Dar University, 2001.

2023 (Jan) – present:      Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering, Reykjavik University

2020 (Aug.) – 2022:       Research Specialist, Department of Engineering, Reykjavik University

2018- 2020 (July):         Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering, Reykjavik University

2013 -2018:                    Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavik University

2013(spring):                  Teaching Assistant, Reykjavik University

2013(Jan)-2013(Feb):    Feet Engineer, Össur Iceland 

2010-2012:                     Research Associate, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

2005-2006:                     Department Head of Mechanical Engineering, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia

2004-2006:                     Lecturer, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia

2002-2004:                     Assistant Lecturer, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia

2001-2002:                     Graduate Assistant, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia

Honors and Awards

2007:  PhD scholarship, Politecnico di Milano, Italy

Grants

1. RU Infrastructure Fund (2025) – 2.800.000 ISK – Accessories for Instron Static 34TM-50 Testing System – (PI).
2. RU Infrastructure Fund (2024) – 4.000.000 ISK – Medium-range Universal Testing Machine– (PI).
3. RU Infrastructure Fund (2022) – 2.000.000 ISK – Computational Resources for Additive Manufacturing – (Co-applicant).
4. RU Infrastructure Fund (2022) – 3.000.000 ISK – Multi purpose wind tunnel facility – (Co-applicant).
5. Icelandic Research Fund (2022) – 21.208.000 ISK – Adaptation of aluminum reduction cells to CCS – (Co-applicant).
6. RU Infrastructure Fund (2021) – 2.000.000 ISK – Large size product design lab – (Co-applicant)
7. Technology Development Fund (2021) – GeoEjector: Connecting low and high pressure wells – (Co-applicant).
8. The Icelandic Research Fund (2020) – 44.706.000 ISK – Modeling of Submerged Arc Furnace – (PI)
9. The Climate Fund (2020) – 10.000.000 ISK – Model-Based Design for Adaptation of Aluminum Reduction to CCS – (Co-applicant).
10. Technology Development Fund (2018) – 45.000.000 ISK – DeepUtil: Efficient Utilization of Deep Geothermal Fluid – (Co-applicant).
11. People Marie Curie Actions, Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) (2013), Call: FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF- 145.282,20 EURO - Aerodynamic Shape Optimization by Physics-Based Surrogate- (Co-applicant).
12. Politecnico di Milano (Italy)(2011) – 19.367 EUR- XL-GEAR Simulazioni FEM su ingranaggi extra large per applicazioni eoliche (XL-GEAR FEM simulations on extra-large gears for wind turbine gears) – (Co-applicant).
13. Politecnico di Milano (Italy)(2010) – 18.520 EUR- Modellazione ed analisi mediante il metodo deglgi elementi finite di sistemi meccanici (Modeling and analysis of mechanical systems using the finite element method) – (Co-applicant).

Profesional Organizations

Member, NAFEMS (The International Association for the Engineering Modelling, Analysis, and Simulation Community)

 Organization of conferences

1. Organizing Committee Member, INFACON 2027 – An international ferroalloy conference to be hosted at RU.
2. Program Committee member, International Conference on Computational Science (2015- 2021).
3. Program Committee member, IEE MTT-S International Conference on Numerical Electromagnetic and Multiphysics Modeling and Optimization (2018).

Journal Articles and Book Chapters

1.      L.Leifsson, S. Koziel, Y.A. Tesfahunegn, and A. Bekasiewicz, “Fast Multi-Objective Aerodynamic Optimization Using Space-Mapping-Corrected Multi-Fidelity Models and Kriging Interpolation,” In S. Koziel, L. Leifsson, and X.S. Yang (Eds.) Recent Advances in Simulation-Driven Modeling and Optimization, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, 2015.

2.      L. Leifsson, S. Koziel, and Y. A. Tesfahunegn, “Multi-objective aerodynamic optimization by variable-fidelity models and response surface surrogates," Accepted, AIAA Journal, 2015. 

3.      S. Koziel, Y.A. Tesfahunegn, and L. Leifsson, “Expedited Constrained Multi-Objective Aerodynamic Shape Optimization by Means of Physics-Based Surrogates," Submitted, Applied Mathematical Modelling, 2015

4.      S. Koziel, Y.A. Tesfahunegn, and L. Leifsson, “Variable-Fidelity CFD Models and Co-Kriging for Expedited Multi-Objective Aerodynamic Design Optimization," Submitted, Engineering Computations, 2015.

5.      S. Koziel, Y.A. Tesfahunegn, and L. Leifsson, “Cost-Efficient Multi-Objective Aerodynamic Optimization by Variable-Fidelity Models and Design Space Reduction," Submitted, Aerospace Science & Technology, 2015.

6.      L. Leifsson, S. Koziel, S. Hosder, and Y.A. Tesfahunegn, “Multi-Objective Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Shape Optimization Using Multi-Fidelity Surrogates," Submitted, Computers & Fluids, 2015

7.       H. Shah, S. Hosder, S. Koziel, and Y.A. Tesfahunegn, “Multi-fidelity robust aerodynamic design optimization under mixed uncertainty”, Aerospace Science and Technology, vol. 45, pp. 71-29, 2015.

8.      Y.A. Tesfahunegn, F. Rosa, and C. Gorla, “The effects of the shape of tooth profile modifications on the transmission error, bending, and contact stress of spur gears,” Proc. IMechE, Part C: J. Mechanical Engineering Science, 2010, 224 (C8), 1749-1758.

 Refereed Conference Papers

1.      S. Koziel, Y. A. Tesfahunegn, and L. Leifsson, and S. Koziel, “Rapid Multi-Objective Aerodynamic Design Using Co-Kriging and Space Mapping," Accepted, AIAA Aerospace Science and Technology Forum (AIAA SciTech), San Diego, CA, Jan 4-8, 2016.

2.      A. Amrit, A. Thelen, J. Ren, L. Leifsson, S. Koziel, and Y. A. Tesfahunegn, “Application of Multifdelity Optimization Techniques to Benchmark Aerodynamic Design Problems," Accepted, AIAA Aerospace Science and Technology Forum (AIAA SciTech), San Diego, CA, Jan 4-8, 2016.

3.      Y.A. Tesfahunegn, S Koziel, L Leifsson, and A Bekasiewicz “Surrogate-based Airfoil Design with Space Mapping and Adjoint Sensitivity,” Procedia Computer Science, vol. 51, pp. 795-804, 2015.

4.      I.M. Jonsson, L. Leifsson, S Koziel, and Y.A. Tesfahunegn “Shape Optimization of Trawl-doors Using Variable-fidelity Models and Space Mapping,” Procedia Computer Science, vol. 51, pp. 905-913, 2015.

5.      Y.A. Tesfahunegn, S. Koziel, and L. Leifsson “ Adjoint-Enhanced Multi-Level Optimization: Investigation of Algorithm Parameter Settings,” 16th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, June 2015.

6.      Y.A. Tesfahunegn, S. Koziel, J.-R. Gramanzini, S. Hosder, Z.-H.Han, and L. Leifsson “Application of Direct and Surrogate-Based Optimization to Two-Dimesnsional Benchmark Aerodynamic Problems: A Comparative Study,”  53rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting , 2015.

7.      Y.A. Tesfahunegn, S. Koziel, and L. Leifsson “ Surrogate-Based Airfoil Design with Multi-Level Optimization and Adjoint Sensitivity,”  53rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting , January 2015.

8.      L Leifsson, S Koziel, Y.A. Tesfahunegn, and S Hosder “Multi-Objective Aeroacoustic Shape Optimization by Variable-Fidelity Models and Response Surface Surrogates,” 56th AIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, January 2015.

9.      H. Shah, S. Hosder,S. Koziel, L. Leifsson, and Y.A. Tesfahunegn  “ Multi-fidelity Robust Aerodynamic Design Optimization Under Mixed Uncertainty,” 17th AIAA Non-Deterministic Approaches Conference, January 2015.

10.  L. Leifsson, S. Koziel, Y. Tesfahunegn, S. Hosder, and J.-R. Gramanzini, “Aerodynamic Design Optimization: Physics-based Surrogate Approaches for Airfoil and Wing Design,” 52nd Aerospace Sciences Meeting, National Harbor, Maryland, Jan. 13-17, 2014.

11.   S. Koziel, L. Leifsson, and Y. Tesfahunegn, “Simulation-Driven Aerodynamic Shape Optimization with Automated Low-Fidelity Model Setup,”accepted, AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition (AVIATION), Atlanta, Georgia, June 16–20, 2014.

12.  Y. A. Tesfahunegn, F.Rosa, and C.Gorla, “The Influence of Profile Modifications on Root Stress,” Proceedings of MPT2009-Sendai, JSME International Conference on Motion and Power Transmissions, May 13-15, 2009, Matsushima Isles Resort, Japan, pp.407-412.

13.  Yonatan A., F.Rosa, and C.Gorla, “Influenza della forma delle modifiche di profilo sull’Errore di Trasmissione,” Organi di Trasmissione, Vol.4,April 2009, pp.84-88.

 Conference, Workshop and Seminar Presentations

1.      Y.A. Tesfahunegn, S Koziel, L Leifsson, and A Bekasiewicz, “Surrogate-based Airfoil Design with Space Mapping and Adjoint Sensitivity,” International Conference On Computational Science (Reykjavik, Iceland, June 1-3, 2015).

2.      Y.A.Tesfahunegn, “Simulation Driven Design,” Brown Bag Talk Series (Verkin Tala) at Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland, 27 May, 2015.

3.      Y.A. Tesfahunegn, L. Leifsson, and S. Koziel “ Aerodynamic Shape Optimization by Physics-Based Surrogate,”  Poster presentation organized by Rannis, Reykjavik, Iceland, 12 March, 2015.

4.      Y.A.Tesfahunegn, “How Things Fly,” Presentation at Hörðuvallaskóli Primary School 7- 9^th grade students, Kopavogur, Iceland, 26 February, 2015.

5.      Y.A.Tesfahunegn, “Simulation Driven Design,” Presentation at Össur, Reykjavik, Iceland, 13 February, 2015.

6.      Y.A.Tesfahunegn, “How Things Fly,” Presentation at International School of Iceland for 4- 8^th grade students, Garðabær, Iceland, 26 January, 2015.

7.      Y.A. Tesfahunegn, S. Koziel, and L. Leifsson “ Surrogate-Based Airfoil Design with Multi-Level Optimization and Adjoint Sensitivity,”  53rd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting , Science and Technology Forum ( Kissimee, Florida, Jan 5-9,  2015).

8.      Y.A.Tesfahunegn, S.Koziel,L. Leifsson and F.Rosa “ Optimization of Gear Tooth Surfaces By Physics-Based Surrogates” Third International Workshop on Advances in Simulation-Driven Optimization and Modeling (ASDOM) (Reykjavik University, Iceland, August 8-10, 2014).

9.      Y.A.Tesfahunegn, S.Koziel, and L. Leifsson  “ Aerodynamic Shape Optimization by Physics-Based Surrogates”   Euro Science Open Forum (ESOF) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Conference (Copenhagen, Denmark , June 19-20, 2014).

10.  S. Koziel , L. Leifsson, and Y.A. Tesfahunegn “Aerodynamic Shape Optimization Using Space Mapping,” Second International Workshop on Advances in Simulation-Driven Optimization and Modeling (ASDOM) (Reykjavik University, Iceland, August 9-10, 2013).

11.  Yonatan A. Tesfahunegn, F.Rosa, C.Gorla, The Influence of Profile Modifications on Root Stress,” MPT2009-Sendai, JSME International Conference on Motion and Power Transmissions, May 13-15, 2009, Matsushima Isles Resort, Japan.