Tech Journey of Dagnachew Birru (PhD): From Ethiopia to the Netherlands and the USA

Our guest is Dagnachew Birru (PhD) who is currently the Global Head of R&D at Quantiphi. Dr. Dagnachew has many years of experience as an idea-driven technology researcher, developer, and leader in systems employing Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and smart algorithms, resulting in 50+ issued patents. He was born and raised in Northern Ethiopia. Dr. Birru grew up in a very difficult time where there were no role models who could inspire him professionally. He was curious to learn about technology that he used to disassemble his dad's radio to learn where the sound was coming from and how it worked. He used to do some work to financially help his family. Dagnachew was a bright young man that he betted on himself that when he sat for a national exam he said "If I pass this exam, I will move forward and continue my education or else I will be a businessman". He passed and went to Addis Ababa University to study Electrical Engineering. Dr. Birru had high grade and the university hired him as a lecturer. After serving for about a year, he and his friend were able to secure a scholarship in Netherland where Phlips was funding the program. He studied Master of Science -Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Electronics Engineering and Signal Processing from Technische Universiteit Delft. His PhD thesis helped him secure his job at Philips in New York, USA. Dr. Birru have worked at Philips, Philips Lighting & Signify all of which are Philips companies and he served in many different levels started from a researcher to team leadership roles and to more higher positions such as Head of Research & Sr. Director, Head of Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence. He is currently Global Head of R&D at Quantiphi where he focuses further shape, build and lead a world-class R&D function, reimagining business with AI-led solutions, and laying the foundation for the next phase of growth. Quantiphi, Founded in 2013, is an award-winning AI-first digital engineering company driven by the desire to solve transformational problems at the heart of business. As always, I was privileged to learn Dagnachew Birru's Tech Journey first hand. I would like to thank Dr. Birru for his time and willingness to share his tech journey and respond to all of the questions from audiences and myself. I would also like to thank everyone who made it to the live session on clubhouse. Please help us spread this wonderful recording here on LinkedIn & all of the social media platforms. Share | Comment | Like Follow Teferi Kassa | Follow Habesha in Tech