AuthorAID mentee discusses first publication

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Recently, we came to know that Ms. Bezaye Taye, a food science researcher in Ethiopia, has published her first research paper in a peer-reviewed journal. She has kindly agreed to answer some questions for the benefit of other early-career researchers in the AuthorAID community.

Ravi: Congratulations on the publication of your paper! I remember that you were one of the most engaged participants at the AuthorAID workshop in Ethiopia last November. To begin with, could you please describe your academic background, research interests, and current role?

Bezaye: I have a BSc in physics and MSc in chemical engineering, with a specialization in food engineering. I am very interested in research in food engineering, specifically dairy technology. I am also interested in nanotechnology and its application in sustaining the safety and quality of food and water. I work as the Research Coordinator in the Postgraduate and Research Office at the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, which is part of Addis Ababa University.

Ravi: Please tell us about your recent publication.

Bezaye: I am one of the three authors of this paper. The second author is Dr. Shimelis Admassu, my MSc thesis advisor, and the third is Prof. Yogesh Kumar, who helped me a lot in the writing process. This paper, which is my first, has been published in the World Journal of Dairy and Food Sciences, and its title is Biochemical and textural changes in pre-ripening stages during manufacture of cheddar cheese from different blends of doe and ewe milk. Though I’m a beginner at publishing research, my journey to publication was not very difficult because of the writing assistance I received from Prof. Kumar, who has published many papers. The reviewers of the paper had some comments, but they were minor.

Ravi: Did the AuthorAID workshop help you in getting published?

Bezaye: Yes. After attending the AuthorAID workshop in November 2011, I became inspired to publish research in peer-reviewed journals.

Ravi: Do you have any advice for early-career researchers who are keen to publish their work in journals?

Bezaye: It may seem difficult to publish a research paper in a journal for the first time. However, you can succeed if you are courageous and dedicated. Don’t worry about failing, for you can learn a lot from failure.

Ravi: I appreciate your efforts in organizing a local AuthorAID workshop at your institution this March. I’m sure this was a learning experience for the participants, but did you benefit in any way as an organizer? And do you have any advice for others who are looking to organize similar workshops?

Bezaye: I gained a lot from organizing the workshop. I have become much better at time management, communication, and critical thinking. I advise those who would like to organize a workshop to be patient and very critical in identifying the right activities to be undertaken before, during, and after the workshop.

Ravi: Thank you, Bezaye! The first publication is often the most difficult one, and you have successfully crossed this milestone. I wish you – and other early-career researchers who read this post – success in your research projects and publishing endeavors.

This post was first published on the AuthorAID blog on 17 July, 2012. AuthorAID helps researchers in developing countries to publish and otherwise communicate their work. It also serves as a wider global forum to discuss and disseminate research.

Ravi Murugesan
I live in India and I'm an INASP Associate. I work for the AuthorAID project, mostly as a trainer, and I spend a lot of time on INASP's online learning platform.

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