Keywords
Fields of Research (FoR)
Health services and systems, Primary health careBiography
I am a Postdoctoral researcher at the School of Population Health, UNSW. I hold a PhD in health systems and services from UNSW and a Master of Public Health from Mekelle University, Ethiopia.
My research interest and experience span health services, implementation science, health policy and systems research. Specifically, my research portfolio is focused on strengthening primary healthcare systems and advancing health workforce development in...view more
I am a Postdoctoral researcher at the School of Population Health, UNSW. I hold a PhD in health systems and services from UNSW and a Master of Public Health from Mekelle University, Ethiopia.
My research interest and experience span health services, implementation science, health policy and systems research. Specifically, my research portfolio is focused on strengthening primary healthcare systems and advancing health workforce development in diverse settings, with particular emphasis on underserved and marginalized communities.
Prior to joining UNSW, I was a research associate at the George Institute for Global Health, Australia, where I currently hold an honorary fellow position. I have also served as a public health researcher and academic in Ethiopia. During this period, I taught various public health courses and supervised both undergraduate and graduate students.
My Grants
1. 2023 – 2024. Review and revision of community health worker training in Fiji. Rohina Joshi, Bindu Patel, Kristen Beek, Kishan Kumar, Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema. Tetra Tech International Development Pty Ltd on behalf of DFAT. (AUD$) 230,000. Role: Investigator.
2. 2022 – 2023. Incentive grant, WHO-Defeat-NCD Partnership (UNITAR) Programme for Implementation Research to Scale-up National NCD and Mental Health-related Responses for Achieving SDG 3.4. Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema, David Peiris, Rohina Joshi, Seye Abimbola and Yohannes Kinfu. Health system readiness and capacity to deliver non-communicable diseases and mental health services in resource-limited settings: Evidence from Ethiopian National Surveys. $11, 479. 2022-2023. Role: PI
3. 2019 – 2020. The George Institute Seed Grant. Rohina Joshi, A Blake, Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema, W S, Ajisegiri. A systems approach to understanding and improving the delivery of primary healthcare through non-physician health worker teams in Sub-Saharan Africa. $50,000. Role: Investigator.
4. 2018 – 2022. Scientia PhD scholarship. Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema. University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. Understanding and strengthening primary health care system for noncommunicable diseases prevention and management in Africa; the case from Ethiopia. $200,000.
5. 2019 – 2022. Top-up Scholarship. Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema. The George Institute for Global Health, Australia. Understanding and strengthening primary health care system for noncommunicable diseases prevention and management in Africa; the case from Ethiopia. $61,600.
6. 2016 – 2017. LIGHT FOR THE WORLD and Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema et al. Post Zithromax Mass Drug Administration Coverage and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Tigray schools, Ethiopia. $30, 000. Role: PI
7. 2016 – 2018. Tigray Regional Health Bureau, Tigray Ethiopia, and Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema et al. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on WASH and associated factors among primary school children in Tigray Region. $30,000. Role: Investigator
8. 2016 – 2019. Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema et al. Magnitude, motivating factors, and level of intention to cease psychoactive substance use disorder and effectiveness of stage-specific behavioral therapeutic intervention for quitting substance abuse among Mekelle University Students: A Randomised Control Trail. $30,000. Role: PI
9. 2016 – 2017. Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema. Awareness creation to the Public towards Community Based Training Program of Mekelle University: Knowledge and Technology transfer. $ 2,000. Role: PI
10. 2014 – 2015. AMREF Ethiopia. Azeb Gebresilassie Tesema et al. Exploratory Study on Recruitment, training, deployment and Retention Strategies of Human Resources for Health, the case of Health extension workers. 3,200. Role: Investigator.
My Qualifications
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), UNSW, Sydney
• MPH, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
• BSc in Environmental Health, Jimma University, Ethiopia
My Awards
• 2022: Recipient of Young Researcher Award from WHO during the 2022 World Health Summit.
• 2020: Emerging Voices for Global Health (EV4GH) recipient.
• 2027: Awarded Mandela Washington Fellowship Young African Leaders, U.S. Department of State.
• 2017: Awarded Honorary Citizen of Lubbock, Texas, USA.
• 2016: Awarded Young African Leaders, Nairobi, Kenya.
My Research Activities
I am a health services and systems researcher with expertise in the evaluation of primary health care systems. My focus is on improving access and delivery of quality health care across diverse settings, including in humanitarian contexts.
I am currently leading and involved in implementation projects to evaluate community health workers’ role in delivering primary health care in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia, Fiji, and Nigeria. I also conduct research on health system preparedness and response in emergency and conflict affected settings.
Previously, I led implementation research on scaling up non-communicable disease services in Ethiopia. My approach combines qualitative and quantitative methods with evidence synthesis.
ORCID as entered in ROS
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0618-4499