Blesson Varghese
School of Public Health
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
Dr Blesson Varghese is an early career researcher in the field of public health. He is an epidemiologist with specific interests in environmental and occupational health. Blesson has a background in Health Science (Public Health) with First Class Honours and recently a PhD within the School of Public Health at the University of Adelaide.
His PhD project titled "Worker's Health and Safety at High Temperatures: new perspectives on injury prevention", part of a multi-institutional Australian Research Council (ARC) grant examined the impacts of extreme heat on work-related injuries in Australia.
His research interests include work-related injury epidemiology and prevention, climate change, workplace heat exposure, and infectious diseases. He has extensive experience conducting research using large administrative surveillance datasets and surveys.
His recently completed work at the Bureau of Meteorology examined the correlations between demographic profiles, dwelling profiles, existing health risks factors, and the human health impacts of heatwaves. Currently he is part of a team led by Professor Peng Bi examining the burden of disease of climate-sensitive or heat-attributable diseases and injuries in Australia.
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Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2021 - ongoing Senior Project Officer Wellbeing SA 2020 - 2021 ARC Grant-Funded Researcher (A) The University of Adelaide 2020 - 2020 Epidemiologist Australian Bureau of Meteorology 2019 - 2021 Research Assistant Omega Consulting Engineers 2019 - 2020 APR Intern Epidemiologist Bureau of Meteorology (Australia) 2019 - 2019 Lecturer University of Adelaide 2018 - 2018 Research Assistant The University of Adelaide 2017 - 2017 Marker: HLTH SC 2105 - Reflect. Research. Resolve Questions in Health The University of Adelaide 2016 - 2016 Marker: MEDIC ST 1000B First Year MBBS Examination Part 2 The University of Adelaide 2013 - 2013 Intern, Communicable Disease Control Branch SA Health -
Awards and Achievements
Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount 2021 Award Travel Award International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) Australia - 2021 Honour Mace Bearer, Graduation Ceremony University of Adelaide Australia - 2020 Award Eric Wigglesworth OHS Education Medal Australian Institute of Health & Safety Australia - 2020 Nomination 2020 CAPHIA PhD Excellence in Public Health (Nominated) Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia Australia - 2020 Achievement Dean's Commendation for Doctoral Research Thesis Excellence The University of Adelaide Australia - 2020 Nomination Safety 2020 Young Investigator Award (Nominated) MDPI Switzerland - 2020 Nomination IJERPH 2020 Young Investigator Award (Nominated) MDPI Switzerland - 2020 Recognition Early Achievers Leaderboard Rising Stars The Australian Australia - 2020 Research Award Doctoral Research Medal University of Adelaide Australia - 2020 Nomination Early Career/Young Professional Award Finalist Australian Public Health Conference Australia - 2020 Award Kerry Kirke Student Award Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) SA Branch Australia - 2020 Award Travel Award International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) Australia - 2019 Scholarship Australian Postgraduate Research Intern (APR. Intern) Stipend University of Adelaide Australia - 2019 Scholarship Philip Ryan Doctoral Candidate Travel Grant University of Adelaide Australia - 2019 Scholarship Walter and Dorothy Duncan Trust Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia - 2018 Award People's Choice Award for Best Presentation Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA) Australia One year AEA membership 2018 Award 2018 AEA STUDENT AWARD Australasian Epidemiological Association Australia $500 2018 Award 2018 Florey Postgraduate Research Conference School of Public Health Poster Prize The University of Adelaide Australia $300 2018 Award Global Learning Travel Grant The University of Adelaide Australia $500 2018 Award 2018 Graduate Women SA Centenary Bursaries The Australian Federation of University Women – SA Inc. Trust Australia $ 3000 2018 Scholarship Climate Adaptation 2018 Post-Graduate Student Travel and Registration Scholarship National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) Australia $2000 2018 Recognition Special Mention for Presentation 2018 SA Population Health Conference Australia - 2017 Award 2017 Florey Postgraduate Research Conference School of Public Health Poster Prize The University of Adelaide Australia $300 2017 Nomination Shortlisted for Research & Business Partnerships Prize for Impact, Engagement and Translation University of Adelaide Australia - 2016 Scholarship Faculty of Health Sciences Divisional Scholarship University of Adelaide Australia - 2014 Award Coles Caring and Compassionate Award Coles - Port Adelaide Australia - 2013 Award Dean's Certificate of Merit The University of Adelaide Australia - 2013 Award Golden Key Award for Academic Merit Golden Key International Honour Society Australia - 2013 Award Coles Monthly Team Member Award Coles - Port Adelaide Australia - -
Language Competencies
Language Competency English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review Hindi Can read, write, speak and understand spoken Malayalam Can read, write, speak and understand spoken -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2016 - 2020 University of Adelaide Australia PhD in Medicine 2014 - 2014 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Science, BhlthSc (Honours) in Public Health and General Practice 2011 - 2013 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Science, BhlthSc ( Majors in Public Health and Pathology) -
Research Interests
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Journals
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Conference Papers
Year Citation 2018 Varghese, B. M., Hansen, A., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. L. (2018). The Impact of Heatwaves on Workers' Health and Safety in Australia: A Multi-City Study. In ISEE Conference Abstracts Vol. 2018. Environmental Health Perspectives.
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Conference Items
Year Citation 2020 Varghese, B., Beaty, M., Panchuk, S., Mackie, B., Chen, C., Jakab, M., . . . Nairn, J. (2020). Heatwave-related Mortality in Australia: Who's impacted the most?. Poster session presented at the meeting of EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. OXFORD UNIV PRESS.
DOI WoS12018 Varghese, B., Barnett, A., Hansen, A., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. (2018). The effects of ambient temperature on work-related injuries in Adelaide, Australia - workers’ compensation claims increase with high temperatures. Poster session presented at the meeting of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Dublin: BMJ Publishing Group.
DOI2018 Varghese, B., Barnett, A., Hansen, A., Nitschke, M., Nairn, J., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. (2018). Are moderate heatwaves more important than severe heatwaves for worker injury risks? (Poster presentation).. Poster session presented at the meeting of Climate Adaptation 2018. Melbourne. 2018 Varghese, B. M., Barnett, A. G., Hansen, A., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. (2018). The impact of ambient temperatures on work-related injuries in three Australian cities [Mini-Oral presentation]. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA). Fremantle, WA. 2018 Varghese, B. M., Hansen, A., Nairn, J., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. (2018). Heatwaves and work-related injuries in Australia: A multi-city study (Oral presentation). Poster session presented at the meeting of The Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA). Fremantle, WA. 2018 Varghese, B. M., Hansen, A., Williams, S., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. (2018). 'Risk factors for heat-related injuries: Survey of work health and safety professionals' (Poster presentation). Poster session presented at the meeting of The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) SA State Population Health Conference. Adelaide. 2018 Varghese, B. M., Hansen, A., Williams, S., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. (2018). 'Occupational injuries during hot weather: Perspectives from health and safety representatives' (Oral presentation). Poster session presented at the meeting of The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) SA State Population Health Conference. Adelaide. 2018 Varghese, B. M., Hansen, A., Nairn, J., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. (2018). Characterising the impact of heatwaves on work-related injuries in three Australian cities: When is it unsafe to work? (Poster presentation). Poster session presented at the meeting of The Florey Postgraduate Research Conference. Adelaide. 2018 Hansen, A., Pisaniello, D. L., Varghese, B. M., & Bi, P. (2018). Lived Experiences of Heat Exposure as an Occupational Safety Hazard in Australia. Poster session presented at the meeting of ISEE Conference Abstracts. Environmental Health Perspectives.
DOI2018 Varghese, B. M., Hansen, A., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. (2018). The Impact of Heatwaves on Workers' Health and Safety in Australia: A Multi-City Study [Poster presentation]. Poster session presented at the meeting of ISEE Conference Abstracts. Ottawa. 2017 Varghese, B. M., Barnett, A. G., Hansen, A. L., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. L. (2017). Do temperature extremes pose risk to workers’ injury risk? [Oral Presentation]. Poster session presented at the meeting of The 30th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Epidemiological Association (AEA). Sydney. 2017 Varghese, B. M., Barnett, A. G., Hansen, A. L., Nitschke, M. N., Nairn, J., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. L. (2017). Are moderate heatwaves more important than severe heatwaves for worker injury risks? (Poster presentation). Poster session presented at the meeting of The Florey Postgraduate Research Conference. Adelaide. 2017 Varghese, B. M., Barnett, A. G., Hansen, A. L., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. L. (2017). Both low and high temperature may increase the risk of work-related injuries- an assessment using case-crossover analysis in Adelaide, Australia (Oral presentation). Poster session presented at the meeting of The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) SA State Population Health Conference. Adelaide. 2017 Varghese, B. M., Barnett, A. G., Hansen, A. L., Nitschke, M. N., Nairn, J., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. L. (2017). Are moderate heatwaves more important than severe heatwaves for worker injury risks? (Oral presentation). Poster session presented at the meeting of The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) SA State Population Health Conference. Adelaide. 2017 Varghese, B. M., Barnett, A. G., Hansen, A. L., Nitschke, M., Nairn, J., Bi, P., & Pisaniello, D. (2017). The effects of daily maximum temperature and heatwaves on worker injury risks (Oral presentation). Poster session presented at the meeting of Heat and Injury Seminar, National Safe Work Month, Safe Work SA. Adelaide. 2013 Varghese, B. M., Flood, L., Miller, M., Milazzo, A., & Raupach, J. (2013). Findings from a study of Salmonella infection and sewage disposal [Poster presentation]. Poster session presented at the meeting of STATE POPULATION HEALTH CONFERENCE. Adelaide. -
Theses
Year Citation 2014 Varghese, B. (2014). The Epidemiology of Respiratory Viruses causing Influenza-like Illness in Australian Working-age adults (20-64 years) from 2010-2013.. (Undergraduate Dissertation, The University of Adelaide).
Faculty of Health Science, Divisional Scholarship
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Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2024 Co-Supervisor Health assessment due to heat exposure among the Australian working-age populations: current risks and future projections Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Yannan Li 2022 Co-Supervisor Climate Change and Burden of Disease in Australia: Current Attributable Risk and Future Burden Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yohannes Tefera Damtew -
Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name 2020 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Burden of non-communicable diseases attributable to high temperature in Australia: current and future projections in a changing climate Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Jingwen Liu -
Other Supervision Activities
Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name 2021 - ongoing Principal Supervisor High temperatures, heatwaves and road crashes in South Australia University of Adelaide Master of Public Health (MPH) Master - Yannan Li 2020 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Heat-related diseases and burden of disease in Australia University of Adelaide Master of Public Health (MPH) Master - Clare Faurie 2020 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Hand, foot, and mouth disease and weather The University of Adelaide Master of Public Health (MPH) Master Full Time Tianyu Song 2020 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Diarrhoea and weather The University of Adelaide Master of Public Health (MPH) Master Full Time Jiawei Liang -
Mentoring
Date Topic Location Name 2020 - ongoing The impact of climate-sensitive communicable diseases in Australia: current attributable risk and future burden due to temperature exposure University of Adelaide Yohannes Damtew 2019 - ongoing Occupational injuries and hot weather: a spatial-temporal risk analysis in Australia University of Adelaide Syeda Hira Fathima
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Committee Memberships
Date Role Committee Institution Country 2021 - 2021 Member Early Career Academic and Postgraduate Sub-committee (ECAPS) Council Of Academic Public Health Institutions Australia (CAPHIA) Australia 2020 - ongoing Member Early Career Researcher Initiative (ECRI) Advisory Panel Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) United States 2020 - 2021 Member School of Public Health (SPH) Research Committee The University of Adelaide Australia 2019 - 2019 Member State Member - National Conference Advisory Committee Public Health Association of Australia Australia 2019 - ongoing Member Young researcher member - ICOH 2022 National Scientific Committee (NSC) ICOH - International Commission on Occupational Health Australia 2018 - 2019 Member SA Branch Committee The Public Health Association of Australia Inc (SA Branch) Australia 2018 - 2019 Member Health Sciences Postgraduate Student (HeSPA) Committee The University of Adelaide Australia 2018 - 2019 Representative School of Public Health (SPH) Research Committee The University of Adelaide Australia -
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2020 - ongoing Member International Epidemiological Association (IEA) United States 2018 - ongoing Member Statistical Society of Australia Australia 2018 - ongoing Member International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) United States 2018 - ongoing Member Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) Australia 2017 - ongoing Member International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) - 2017 - ongoing Member Australasian Epidemiological Association Australia 2017 - ongoing Member Environmental Health Australia Australia 2013 - ongoing Member Golden Key International Honours Society Australia -
Offices Held
Date Office Name Institution Country 2018 - 2019 School of Public Health Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Student Representative The University of Adelaide Australia 2018 - 2018 School of Public Health Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Student Representative (Acting) The University of Adelaide Australia 2017 - 2018 School of Public Health Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Deputy Student Representative The University of Adelaide Australia -
Presentation
Date Topic Presented at Institution Country 2018 - 2018 Heat and Work Injury: Quantitative Evidence National Heat and Work Injury Workshop The University of Adelaide Australia 2018 - 2018 The effect of daily maximum temperature and heatwaves on worker injury risks Data Analysis Group SA HEALTH Australia -
Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice
Date Title Type Institution Country 2020 - ongoing 14th World Conference on Injury Prevention & Safety Promotion (Safety 2020) Conference Review Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) - 2020 - ongoing International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) 2020 Conference Conference Review International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) - 2020 - ongoing 17th National Immunisation Conference 2020 Conference Review Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) - 2020 - ongoing World Congress of Epidemiology 2020 Conference Review International Epidemiological Association (IEA) - 2020 - ongoing Preventive Health Conference 2020 Conference Review Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) - 2019 - ongoing Communicable Diseases Control Conference 2019 Conference Review Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) - 2018 - ongoing AEA 2018 Conference abstracts Conference Review Australasian Epidemiological Association Australia 2018 - ongoing The Food Futures Conference 2018 Abstracts Conference Review Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles