Open to opportunities

Dr Ararso Tafese Olana

@drararsotafeseolana

Assistant professor in occupational and public health, driving exposure assessment research and evidence-based risk policies.

Ethiopia

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for an academic and research role where I can lead occupational/public health investigations, teach and mentor students, and help shape evidence-based workplace risk and policy initiatives—especially in low- and middle-income settings.

I’m an Assistant Professor of Occupational and Public Health at Ambo University, with more than 17 years of professional experience spanning occupational health and public health. I focus on exposure assessment, exposure monitoring and modelling, and occupational risk assessment, bringing practical evidence into workplaces and public health programs.

My work also supports national occupational health policies and occupational health guidelines, and I coordinate multidisciplinary research teams and international collaborations. I’ve supervised 25+ MPH students and have authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications, with strong expertise in conducting health research in low- and middle-income countries.

I combine rigorous research design with academic teaching, curriculum development, and academic leadership, including roles such as Chair of the Department of Public Health and various department coordination responsibilities. I also lead and train teams in OHS capacity-building and exposure-focused interventions for community and industry stakeholders.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Assistant Professor (OHS)

Current

Ambo University

Sep 2016 - Present (9 years 9 months)

Taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in occupational and public health and supervised 25+ MPH students. Led research projects and published findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Occupational Health Teaching Curriculum Development Job Exposure Matrix (JEM)Industrial Hygiene Monitoring And Evaluation (M&E)Research Design Public Health Supervision

PhD Fellow (Occupational Health)

Addis Ababa University

Nov 2021 - Jul 2025 (3 years 8 months)

Conducted doctoral research on occupational exposure and respiratory health. Built evidence through occupational health research methods applicable to working populations.

Respiratory Health Research Exposure Modelling Epidemiology Research Design Data Analysis Evidence Synthesis

Chair, Department of Public Health

Ambo University

Sep 2018 - Oct 2019 (1 year 1 month)

Managed academic staff and coordinated teaching, research, and community service activities. Provided department-level leadership to support ongoing programs.

Academic Leadership Staff Management Coordination Research Coordination

Lecturer (EOHS)

University of Gondar

Apr 2014 - Aug 2016 (2 years 4 months)

Delivered teaching and supported research in environmental and occupational health. Contributed to academic activities within the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Academic Teaching Research Support Study Design

Senior & Chief OHS Expert

Regional Bureau of Labour

Jan 2010 - Mar 2014 (4 years 2 months)

Enforced and supervised occupational health policies and related workplace requirements. Supported occupational health oversight through inspections and monitoring.

Labour Administration Compliance Monitoring Industrial Relations Occupational Health Capacity Building

Junior OHS Officer

Adama City Labour & Social Affairs

Sep 2008 - May 2009 (8 months)

Performed occupational safety inspections and supported labour administration activities. Documented workplace safety findings to support compliance and hazard prevention.

Safety Inspections Occupational Safety Labour Administration Regulatory Compliance Field Documentation Team Coordination

PhD Curriculum Development Chair

Ambo University

Jan 2026 - Present (5 months)

Chaired and developed the PhD curriculum to strengthen occupational and public health training. Coordinated curriculum development activities for the program.

Academic Governance Program Quality Assurance Research Training Design