Desta Abera Shanko holds a BA Degree in Economics from Addis Ababa University, a B.SC Degree in soil and water engineering from Haramaya University and a M.SC Degree in Water Resource Engineering from Adama science and Technology University and MA in Economics. He is currently the Director, Policy Strategy and Future Planning Directorate in Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia.

He is a member of different policy review works at regional and national level and has participated in different national research and Technology transfer working groups. In addition to this, he has coordinated STI policy design and formulation at national level and conducted research on STI policy implementation and its impact on national GDP.