ICACBR Affiliated Students | School of Rehabilitation Therapy

Addisu Taye, Abate

Addisu Taye Abate is a doctoral student in Nursing, a Mastercard Foundation Fellow, and an Assistant Professor of Medical Nursing at the University of Gondar. He did his BSc in Nursing in 2010 and his MSc in Medical Nursing in 2017. Addisu has worked in Motta, East Gojjam health office as a Curative and Rehabilitation Officer for 3 years, and since 2013, he has been working as a lecturer and researcher at the University of Gondar. He has published several scholarly research articles in peer-reviewed journals. Addisu has also been involved in curriculum development, coaching, coordinating clinical practices, advising, leading research projects, and delivering lectures

for nursing students within the university. Addisu’s research focuses on inclusive health, Access to Healthcare Services for People with Disabilities.

Doctoral research area: Access to healthcare services for people with disabilities.

Education

PhD Fellow, Nursing, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc. in Medical Nursing, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
BSc. in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Pilar Camargo Plazas

Biniyam Abebaw, Abebe

Biniyam Abebaw Abebe studied Sociology at the University of Gondar and received a Bachelors’ degree before joining Addis Ababa University for his Masters’ degree in Sociology of Health and Illness. Biniyam has been teaching at the Department of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Gondar and has engaged in various research and community service projects. He has worked as an educator, researcher, and community development volunteer with various partners. Biniyam is highly interested in social justice, sustainable development, and community participation. At Queen’s, he expects to learn research, critical thinking, and analytical skills within

the core subject matter of Rehabilitation Science. Biniyam believes his research will bestow insights on the intersectionality between disability, rurality, and health, a forgotten or marginalized topic in academia and practice in Ethiopia.

Doctoral research area: Access to primary healthcare for persons with disabilities in rural Ethiopia.

Education

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc. in Sociology, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
BSc. University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Supervisors: Dr. Nicole Bobbette And Dr. Catherine Donnelly

Birhanu Mulat, Addis

Birhanu is a doctoral student in Mechanical and Materials Engineering, a Mastercard Foundation Fellow and faculty member at the University of Gondar in Ethiopia. He received his BSc in Mechanical Engineering at Mekelle University, Ethiopia in 2006 and MSc in Thermal Engineering at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia in 2011. Before Birhanu started his PhD career at Queens University, he worked at the University of Gondar (UoG) for more than 10 years as a faculty

member in Mechanical Engineering Department engaged with teaching, research, and community services activities. Apart from academic responsibilities, he also worked in different academic leadership roles; 2 years as Department Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, 2 years as a Dean of Faculty of Technology, and 3 years as a Director of Institute of Technology at the University of Gondar. Birhanu strongly believes that his research output will have a positive impact on disability as it focuses on design and development of assistive technology for disabled people in resource limited countries.

Doctoral research area: 3D printed hand prosthesis using electrothermally activated polymer as an actuator.

Education

PhD Fellow, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc in Thermal Engineering, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, 2011
BSc in Mechanical Engineering, Mekelle University, Ethiopia, 2006

Supervisor: Dr. Claire Davis

Ansha Nega, Ahmed

Ansha Nega is a doctoral student in Rehabilitation Science and a Mastercard Foundation Fellow. She is a faculty in Addis Ababa University and adjunct staff at University of Gondar, Ethiopia. Ansha worked for more than a decade in academia and has ample experience in community development programs through large-scale research and intervention projects in collaboration with national and international partners. She is one of the founding members of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ program at University of Gondar for the partnership with Queen’s University. Ansha’s research interest and work experiences are related to Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) to improve quality of life of people with disability

and their family, rehabilitation in post injury and chronic illness (Return to work and participation), special groups’ health at work, Occupational Health and Safety, and Ergonomics at work and in everyday life.

Doctoral research area: Exploring the construct and trajectories of return to work in post traumatic injury.

Education

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
Higher Diploma Program (HDP) for Teaching Methodology, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
MSc. in Ergonomics/Human Factors at Loughborough University, The United Kingdom
BSc. in Occupational Health and Safety at University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Diploma in Sanitary Science at Gondar college medical sciences, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Marcia Finlayson

Abebe Assefa, Alemu

Abebe received his Masters of Laws (LL.M) from Bahir Dar University in 2013. He received his degree in Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from Hawassa University in 2009. Since Sept. 2009, Abebe has been serving as assistant lecturer, lecturer and assistant professor in the School of Law at the University of Gondar. He taught several courses, both in the undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including human rights law, ethical issues in human rights, seminar current human rights issues, the law of refugees and internally displaced persons, regional human rights systems,

introduction to law, criminal law, criminal procedure law, business law, tort law etc. Besides his teaching experience, Abebe has been actively participating in research and community service projects focusing on his areas of research interests: disability rights, access to justice, prisoners’ rights, women legal empowerment. Abebe’s PhD study, as it is directly related to access to justice for persons with disabilities, encompasses many issues of the human rights of persons with disabilities. The right to quality and accessible education, the right to work, the right to access public service are meaningless for persons with disabilities unless they can equally access the justice system and able to seek remedy whenever such rights are violated.

Doctoral research area: The state of access to justice for persons with disabilities in Ethiopia: Legal and institutional responses (tentative)

Education

PhD Fellow, Law, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
LL.M, Law, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia
LL.B, Hawassa University, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Cherie Metcalf

Dagnachew Eyachew, Amare

Dagnachew Eyachew Amare completed his Bachelors’ degree in Chemistry at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, he joined Dilla University’s Department of Chemistry as an assistant instructor. In 2009, Dagnachew was awarded a Netherlands Fellowship to pursue a Masters’ degree with a focus on environmental toxicology at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

Dagnachew pursued another Masters’ degree in environmental engineering given by Joint European Universities, namely Technical University of Hamburg (Germany) and Aalborg University (Denmark), funded by the European Union Erasmus Mundus scholarship. In 2016, Dagnachew began working as a lecturer at the University of Gondar’s Department of Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health. Dagnachew is fascinated to conduct a PhD study about healthcare, WASH and other rights of children with disabilities in Ethiopia. Dagnachew’s research will attempt to answer questions such as what are the hurdles and facilitators to children with disabilities in Ethiopia on access to healthcare, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and other environmental rights? The findings could lead to more research and policy changes based on the extent of hurdles and enablers for children’s access to such rights.

Doctoral research area: Access to Healthcare, and Wash (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Ethiopia.

Education

PhD Fellow, Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc degree, Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Hamburg (Germany) and Aalborg University (Denmark)
MSc. in Environmental Toxicology, Wageningen University, Netherlands
BSc. in Chemistry, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Supervisors: Dr. Colleen Davison

Fisseha Zewdu, Amdie

Fisseha is a doctoral student in Nursing, a Mastercard Foundation Fellow and an Assistant Professor of Nursing at University of Gondar. He received his BSc degree from University of Gondar and MSc degree from Addis Ababa University. He is passionate about chronic disease management. This passion has led Fisseha to work with patients with diabetes and patient empowerment programs at University of Gondar tertiary referral hospital. He has worked as a program coordinator for continue education programs and participated in patient education

outreach initiatives. Fisseha’s Ph.D. project area is on initiating and strengthening self-management programs in Ethiopia. He is very keen to create innovative and cost-effective diabetes self-management programs. Fisseha is passionate about the care and rehabilitation of patients with chronic health conditions and he is always eager to invest his time and energy towards patient empowerment.

Doctoral research area: Simulation-based diabetes self-management education and patient empowerment in Ethiopia.

Education

PhD Fellow, Nursing, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
BSc degree, Nursing, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Supervisors: Dr. Kevin Woo

Hiwot Temesgen, Andualem

Hiwot is a doctoral student in Rehabilitation Science, a Mastercard Foundation Fellow and faculty member at the University of Gondar in Ethiopia. She received her BA in Sociology at Addis Ababa University in 2014 and MA in Social Work in Addis Ababa University in 2016. Hiwot’s research area focuses on enhancing Community Based Rehabilitation Program’s services to be able to provide an opportunity for women with intellectual disability have access to sexual and reproductive health services.

This study can benefit the society, especially women with intellectual disability to enjoy their rights to the fullest. The study will also contribute in advancing the services of CBR program at the University of Gondar by adapting the experiences of other countries on the area.

Doctoral research area: Sexual and reproductive healthcare access for women with intellectual disability: the role of community-based rehabilitation programs.

Education

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MA in Social Work in Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, in 2016
BA in Sociology at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, in 2014

Supervisors: Dr. Heather Aldersey

Bilen Mekonnen, Araya

Bilen is a doctoral student in Rehabilitation Science, a Mastercard Foundation Fellow and faculty member at the University of Gondar in Ethiopia. She did her BSc in Midwifery in 2010 and her MSc in Clinical Midwifery in 2017. Bilen has worked in Black Lion Specialized Hospital labor ward for two years and since 2012 she has been working at the University of Gondar as a lecturer and researcher. Bilen’s long aspiration to learn and experience new things pushed her to this program.

Rehabilitation is a new concept for her and a scholarship that is specific to disability related issues was a good opportunity to learn new things and bring back new concepts to Ethiopia. Bilen is hoping to gain the knowledge and skills on maternal rehabilitation that will help her to contribute to the growth of rehabilitation service in Ethiopia.

Doctoral research area: Estimating and understanding the burden of infertility on Ethiopian women.

Education

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc. in Clinical Midwifery, University of Gondar, Ethiopia, 2017
BSc. in Midwifery, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, 2010

Supervisors: Dr. Heather Aldersey And Dr. Maria Velez

Meseret Hassen Ayele

Meseret Hassen Ayele’s first and second degree is in Special Needs Education from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. She has engaged in teaching, research, community service and leadership positions at the University of Gondar. Meseret has been teaching different courses and advising undergraduate and postgraduate students. She has served the University as a Dean of College of Education for four years. Regarding research, Meseret has conducted studies in areas related to disability, inclusive education, and gender-based violence against girls with disabilities, folklore

and education. Meseret has published a book as a principal investigator based on an original research finding on pedagogical and development relevance of riddles for children in lower grades. She had a wonderful experience teaching in primary school prior to University. Meseret’s PhD research will focus on inclusive education for individuals with disabilities from societal perspectives. It will study societal beliefs towards disability using folklore as unique epistemology and its influence on inclusive education of individuals with disabilities, including access and quality of school experience.

Doctoral research area: Folk beliefs towards disability across cultural societies in Ethiopia and its influence on inclusive education.

Education

PhD Fellow, Education, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc. in Special Needs Education, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
BSc. in Special Needs Education, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Theodore Christou

Adhanom Gebreegziabher, Baraki

Adhanom Gebreegziabher Baraki is a doctoral student in Rehabilitation Sciences at Queen’s University. His work experience includes two years as a clinician at the primary health care level and six years as an academician and researcher at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. Adhanom is an active researcher and Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the same university. Adhanom’s previous research on the mental health status of people with cancer motivated him to learn more about mental health issues among vulnerable groups of people. The

research area Adhanom is working on focuses on people with physical disabilities. He will explore the health-related quality of life, mental health disorders and primary health care access.

Doctoral research area: Common mental health disorders, quality of life and health care access of people with physical disabilities in Ethiopia.

Education

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada

Supervisor: Dr. Catherine Donnelly

Kalkidan Nigussie, Chala

Kalkidan Nigussie Chala has been working in the Physiotherapy department at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, for the past nine years as a lecturer, clinician, and research team member mainly focusing on children with disabilities. He graduated with a BSc in Physiotherapy in 2000 and an MSc in Physiotherapy in 2016 from the University of Gondar. As a physiotherapist, Kalkidan has always been interested in working with children with disabilities. Thus, he has worked hard to improve the lives of children with disabilities through providing physical rehabilitation services at

the hospital and CBR outreach programs. Kalkidan has been involved in different training, community service projects, and research for people with disabilities at the University of Gondar. Kalkidan’s area of study is on how to improve the health-related quality of life of children with disabilities, which is connected to every aspect of one’s life. Improving the lives of these children will positively affect their day-to-day activities and social functioning. This can give them the chance to go to school. After his Ph.D., Kalkidan plans to write research projects related to disability and work with his colleagues at UoG.

Research: Health-related quality of life among children with disability

Education:

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
MSc. in Physiotherapy from the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, in 2016
BSc. in Physiotherapy from the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, in 2000

Supervisor: Dr. Nora Fayed

Tibeb Zena, Debele

Prior to joining the Mastercard PhD program, Tibeb had worked at Gebreguracha Hospital as a clinical Midwife. Since 2013 she has been working at the University of Gondar, involved in teaching, community work and research. She is passionate about safe and sound maternal health care. She has a keen interest in obstetric fistula because even though obstetric fistula is a totally preventable and treatable condition, it is still affecting many women in Ethiopia. The motive

behind Tibeb joining the department of Rehabilitation Science is the disabling nature of fistulas and the need for well-rounded rehabilitation services to the victims. Upon completion of her study, Tibeb is planning to work closely with women having pregnancy and childbirth-related complications, including obstetric fistula. Furthermore, with the knowledge and skills she has gained through the scholarship program, she plans to advance research works focusing on maternal and child health-related issues.

Doctoral research area: Rehabilitation experiences of women with obstetric fistula.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
BSc in Midwifery, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Supervisors: Dr. Beata Batorowicz

Amelework Mekonnen, Emirie

Amelework Mekonnen Emirie’s first tertiary-level study was at Gondar College of Teachers Education in the Department of Social Science. Then, she completed both her Bachelor and Masters’ degrees consecutively at the University of Gondar in the Department of Development and Environmental Management Studies (BA) & Natural Resource and Environmental Management (MA). Prior to Amelework’s current study, she worked as a teacher at the University of Gondar Community School, a Project Coordinator at St. George’s Charity School and a Lecturer at the University of Gondar.

Amelework has planned to research the climate change adaptation determinant to improve the livelihood of people with disabilities.

Doctoral research area: Analysis of climate change adaptation determinants for the improvement of livelihood of people with disabilities.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MA. in Natural Resource and Environmental Management, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
BA. in Environmental Management Studies, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Allison Goebel

Wondwossen, Firew

Wondwossen is a doctoral student in Law, a Mastercard Foundation Fellow and faculty member at the University of Gondar in Ethiopia. He received his LL.B in Law and an LL.M in Constitutional and Public Laws. Wondwossen’s research area has been constitutional Law, human rights, administrative Law, Jurisprudence and medical Law. He has taught and advised students in these areas. Apart from his teaching role, he was also working as the Director of Legal Services of the University of Gondar. Wondwossen’s latest academic rank is Assistant Professor of Law.

Wondwossen’s research focuses on addressing the theoretical/normative void that constitutional and human rights laws have created by their ignorance, namely the issue of the right to mental healthcare.

Doctoral research area: The right to mental health care: normative and institutional exploration.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Law, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
LL.M in Constitutional and Public Laws, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
LL.B in Law, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

Supervisors: Dr. Jacob Weinrib

Navjit, Gaurav

Architect Navjit Gaurav is a Rehabilitation Science doctoral Candidate and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholar at Queen's University, Canada. A Gold Medallist in Disability Studies and Action from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, he has extensive community work experience across different Indian states. As a community developer, he was instrumental in improving access to free quality education for school dropout children and women inside informal settlements in Delhi. During his time in Delhi, he worked on engaging the community, leading a

team of ten individuals on a participatory action project to build India's first Wi-Fi-enabled, accessible library for school dropouts and uneducated women. He co-authored a book "Beginners Guide on Access Audit for Higher Education Institutions- A Photo Narrative Approach." His research aims to explore the Community schools’ design in Indian informal settlements to promote meaningful participation and social interaction among children with disabilities. When not working, he loves traveling and sketching—traveling to new places close to nature and visiting age-old architecture and historical forts. Moreover, he loves cooking, meeting people, and documenting this beautiful planet through sketches, photographs, and narratives.

Doctoral research area: Exploring design consideration for community schools in Mumbai’s informal settlements for meaningful participation and social interaction of children with physical disabilities.

Education:

Ph.D. Candidate, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
Master of Social Work with specialization in Disability Studies and Action, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India.
Bachelor of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, India.
Diploma in Fine Arts, Kornik, Deoghar, India.

Supervisors: Dr. Heather Aldersey and Dr. Beata Batorowicz

Selamawit, Kassa

Selamawit is a doctoral student in Rehabilitation Science, a Mastercard Foundation Fellow and faculty member at the University of Gondar in Ethiopia. Before starting her PhD she was teaching, providing community services and conducting research at University of Gondar Ethiopia. In addition to that she has been working as a quality care unit officer with various activities such as reviewing and approving newly developed and revised curricula, organizing trainings and

conferences for teachers and developing guideline and working documents for the university. Selamawit’s motivation to be part of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program comes from the need to understand disability, inclusive education, and rehabilitation. Specifically, she has the interest to help individuals with mental illness in the process of their recovery, participation with the society and being independent at work, in school and day to day activities. After Selamawit finishes her study, her vision is to work on improving the recovery process of individuals with mental illnesses so that they could have a better quality of life, societal participation, education, and work.

Doctoral Research: Schizophrenia recovery in Ethiopia.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada

Supervisor: Dr. Setareh Ghahari

Dawit Gebeyehu, Mekonen

Dawit completed his first degree from the University of Gondar in Midwifery, and he got his second degree from the same University in clinical Midwifery. After completing his first degree in 2013 GC, he worked as a midwife at a district hospital found in the Northern part of Ethiopia for one year. From 2013 till date, he was an academic staff of the University of Gondar, College of Medical and Health Science, School of Midwifery. After finishing his Master’s Degree, he had a plan

to continue his PhD at International University. His PhD project is on improving maternal health care service utilization for women with disability in the Ethiopian context.

Doctoral Research: Maternal health service utilization and associated factors among women with disability in Ethiopian context.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada

Supervisor: Dr. Erna Snelgrove-Clarke

Melkitu Fentie, Melak

Melkitu Fentie Melak completed her Bachelors’ degree in Public Health in 2013 and her Masters’ Degree in Human Nutrition in 2015, both at the University of Gondar. After the completion of Melkitu’s first degree, she joined the University of Gondar, department of Public Health, as academic staff and worked in this position for two years. Melkitu then transferred to the Department of Human Nutrition after completing her Masters’. Melkitu’s roles were teaching, conducting research and providing community service. Melkitu has a passion for building her

capacity and upgrading her career profile by pursuing a PhD in a high-rated University such as Queen’s. The possible implication of Melkitu’s research is to create new knowledge about the quality of life of caregivers of children with Cerebral Palsy. This will help policymakers design and implement a rehabilitation intervention focused on both the caregiver and the child’s needs.

Doctoral Research: Quality of life of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Ethiopia.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc, Human Nutrition, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
BSc, Public Health, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Beata Batorowicz

Seid Jibril, Mohammed

Seid Jibril Mohammed is a graduate and faculty member of the Department of Sociology at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. He has been teaching and participating in different community service projects on various social and economic issues in Ethiopia for over ten years and has published seven peer-reviewed articles. Seid completed a yearlong higher diploma program for higher education teachers, became a trainer within the program in 2016, and coordinated the program from 2019-2021.

Seid’s academic contributions and research themes include: creating inclusive society through strengthening the capacity of students; Magnitude of sexual debut and associated factors among high school girls; Disadvantaged groups: social and cultural perceptions and practices on women, children and people with disabilities; Community perception toward women leadership and political participation; Prevalence and contributing factors of urban unemployment.

Doctoral Research: Institutional inclusiveness for students with physical disabilities: The case of University of Gondar, Ethiopia.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Education, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc, Sociology, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Theodore Christou

Dawit Deres, Sheferaw

Dawit Deres Sheferaw was working as a lecturer at the University of Gondar and a structural designer at the Engineering service at the University of Gondar. A current Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Fellow was a big inspiration to Dawit to be part of the program. Dawit hopes at the end of his studies; he will be the change he wants to see in the field of engineering and its

approach in solving problems related to people with disabilities. Dawit is working on a practical application of engineering assistive devices that can potentially solve social, economic, and other aspects of people with disabilities’ lives. After his studies, Dawit is planning to engage in research tasks aimed at provision of better living for people with disabilities and experiences in general.

Doctoral research area: Design and Evaluation of Low-Cost Variable Damper for Prosthetic Knee and Seismic Application.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Civil Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada

Supervisor: Dr. Mark Green

Sintayehu Daba, Wami

Sintayehu Daba is a doctoral student in Rehabilitation Science, and he is a Mastercard Foundation Fellow. He is a faculty member at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia. He did his BSc degree in Occupational Health and Safety and his Master’s in Public Health at the University of Gondar. He has been working as a researcher and lecturer at the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health in University of Gondar, Ethiopia. Sintayehu has been involved in different academic activities like teaching, research, community

services and administrative positions. As PI or Co-investigator, he has carried out several research projects successfully at university and through third-party funded projects. Sintayehu’s research focuses on assessing the effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with disability due to chronic low back pain in Ethiopia.

Doctoral research area: Effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation in people with chronic low back pain: A feasibility randomized control trial.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada

Supervisor: Dr. Jordan Miller

Sara Yirgalem, Wolde

Sara Yirgalem Wolde studied clinical Optometry in her undergrad and has been working as an assistant lecturer at the Department of Optometry since she graduated in 2017. Sara has always been passionate about joining a health profession that enables clients to participate in their activities of daily living and that works collaboratively with clients to achieve goals. The Occupational Therapy Program offered by Queen’s University in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation appeared to be a great chance to fulfill this dream. Sara hopes to bring what she

learned during her study and identify feasible ways to provide Occupational Therapy clinical service at the University of Gondar. Sara is also looking forward to collaborating with Occupational Therapy Fellows and being part of teaching future Occupational Therapists.

Education:

OT Fellow, Occupational Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada

Sileshi Ayhualem, Wubu

Sileshi Ayhualem Wubu completed his undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Gondar in July 2015 and a Masters of Human Anatomy from the same university in March 2018. Sileshi is a faculty member at the University of Gondar. Between 2016 and 2021, he worked at the Department of Anatomy at the University of Gondar as an assistant lecturer and lecturer. Sileshi’s

research area focuses on musculoskeletal pain management, low back pain beliefs, imaging for low back and neck pain, health care service for low back pain. Sileshi’s ultimate goal after completion of his program is to develop evidence-based care for low back pain in Ethiopia to prevent the expected increase in the burden of disability related to low back pain in the coming decades.

Doctoral research area: Prevention of disability related to low back pain through evidence based care in case of Ethiopia.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
MSc. in Human Anatomy, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
BSc. in Physiotherapy, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Kathleen Norman

Yetnayet Sisay, Yehuala

Yetnayet Sisay Yehuala is a doctoral student in Health Promotion at the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, a Mastercard Foundation Fellow and faculty member at University of Gondar. Yetnayet has BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology and MSc in Public Health from University of Gondar. She has over five years’ experience in academic institutions in Ethiopia. She also worked as laboratory accreditation project coordinator and had an experience in clinical laboratory setup.

Engaged in teaching, advising, leadership, research & community service, she has also participated in blood donation, clean up & afforestation campaigns. With great passion in promoting healthy living, Yetnayet is interested to work in the areas of chronic diseases, disability, and healthy lifestyle. By being apart of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and a student at Queen’s University, Yetnayet wishes to expand her technical knowledge of health promotion and turn her focus towards their wide-scale applications in Ethiopia and Africa as a researcher, instructor and community service provider.

Doctoral research area: Current state of practice of polices, programs, and research on physical activity participation for persons with physical disabilities in Ethiopia/Africa/low- and middle-income countries.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Health Promotion, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc. in Public Health, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
BSc. in Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Amy Latimer Cheung

Fikadu Ambaw, Yehualashet

After high school, Fikadu went to Haremaya University, one of the legendary higher institutions in Ethiopia, to study Nursing and was awarded a BSc degree in Nursing in 2004. He started his professional career at Metema hospital, a peripheral and remote hospital about 30 km close to the border of Sudan, as a Nurse clinician. After serving for about three years, he joined the University of Gondar, one of the pioneer medical schools in Ethiopia, as a graduate student and studied a Masters of Public Health from 2009-2011. He served the college as a teacher and

academic leader for about four years. In 2015, he joined the University of Gondar as a lecturer and taught different courses like reproductive health for nursing students, community health nursing, nursing education and curriculum development courses. He has actively engaged in advising students’ research work and examining undergraduate and master’s student’s research projects for the last five years. His interpersonal communication skill, team working and leadership qualities provide him with an opportunity to lead the comprehensive Nursing Department and School of Nursing for about three years. In 2019, the University promoted him to the academic rank of assistant professor of Public Health. In 2020, he joined Queens University as a Mastercard Foundation Fellow. His research area is the sexual and reproductive health of disabled adolescents in Ethiopia under the supervision of Dr. Heather Aldersey.

Doctoral research area: Sexual and reproductive health of adolescents with disability.

Education:

PhD Fellow, Rehabilitation Science, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
MSc. in Public Health, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
BSc. in Nursing, Haramaya University, Ethiopia

Supervisor: Dr. Heather Aldersey