Tilahun Adera, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.A.
Division Chair
Charles W. and Evelyn F. Thomas Professor in Epidemiology and Division Chair
Department: Division of Epidemiology
Phone: (804) 628-2519
Email: tilahun.adera@vcuhealth.org
Address/Location:
One Capitol Square, 8th Floor, Room 811
830 E. Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Faculty Bio:
- Dr. Adera is currently serving as Professor and Chair of the Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has multidisciplinary academic training and work background in the health sciences including Pharmacy, Environmental Health, Health Education, and Epidemiology. He has been teaching in various academic disciplines including Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Science, Psychoactive Drugs and Human Behavior, Population Medicine, and Solid and Hazardous Waste Management at four major US universities. As a methodologist, Dr. Adera's research background and interests also cross various disciplines including breast cancer epidemiology, low back pain, cardiovascular disease epidemiology, occupational noise exposure and hearing loss, maternal and child health concerns focusing on risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm and low birthweight, and hearing vision deficits.
He has extensive academic leadership experience in various capacities including as Chair of the Department Epidemiology and Community Health at Virginia Commonwealth University, Senior Associate Dean for Public Health at Virginia Commonwealth University, Dean of the College Health and Social Services at New Mexico State University, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Evangel University.
Teaching Expertise
- Epidemiological methods, psychoactive drugs use and abuse, environmental and occupational epidemiology, chronic disease epidemiology, environmental health.
Keywords & Interest Areas
- Maternal and child health focusing on adverse pregnancy outcomes, minimal hearing and vision deficits and academic performance, occupational hearing loss, epidemiology of low back pain.
Awards & Honors
- Honors and Awards:
Dean Emeritus (2014-present): New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Outstanding Teacher Award for Best Teacher (2001-2002) School of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Outstanding Teacher Award for Best Teacher (2000-2001) School of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Recipient of Outstanding Departmental Teacher Award in Health Sciences Education (1999-2001): School of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University.
Visiting Scientist: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology Branch, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Research Project: Hearing loss in off-springs of mothers exposed to PCBs and DDT (May15-August15, 2000).
Visiting Scientist: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology Branch, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Collaborated on a research project involving organochlorine compounds and birth defects (May-August 1999).
Educator of the Year Award: (Awarded for teaching excellence). Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, (August 11, 1995). 2014
Professional Affiliations
- Society for Epidemiologic Research, American Public Health Association.