King-Morgridge Scholars Program

Brook Gugsa

Position title: Cohort 10 Scholar

Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Major: Electrical Engineering

Questions and Answers: 

What is a fun fact about your hometown?

  • My hometown, Addis Ababa, is home to Merkato, Africa’s largest open-air market.

What are you looking forward to doing during your degree at UW-Madison?

  • I am looking forward to getting involved in UW-Madison’s engineering community, meeting people from different backgrounds, and exploring Madison. I am especially excited to experience my first Wisconsin winter and discover new activities and places around the city.

Why do you believe that the King-Morgridge Scholars Program at UW-Madison is important to the institution, state, and world?

  • The KMSP is important because it gives a great opportunity to students with great talent and potential living in areas where opportunities are limited. Since KMSP provides the resources, education, and support to scholars, it allows students to expand their knowledge, skills, and ideas rather than being restricted by their circumstances.

    For UW-Madison, KMSP brings students with diverse experiences and perspectives to the university community, which strengthens the university through the ideas and experiences they contribute. For Wisconsin, it brings future leaders who can apply their education and network to create a meaningful partnership and contribute to their communities. For the world, KMSP creates a ripple effect that extends far: scholars can take what they learn at UW-Madison and apply it to challenges in their home countries and beyond.

Are there specific issues in poverty alleviation or development that you would like to work on or are currently addressing?

  • One of the problems I want to work on is locust prevention. In my home county, it is a major problem for farmers, especially for those who can’t afford pesticides. Since I am majoring in electrical engineering, I want to do a project that can prevent a locust attack through ultrasonic frequencies.

What do you like to do in your free time?

  • In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, going to the gym, swimming, and playing mobile games.