Sarah Freeman | Environmental effects | Best Researcher Award

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Sarah Freeman | Environmental effects | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sarah Freeman at Emory University | United States

Dr. Sarah Slocum Freeman, PhD, BCBA-D, is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine (since September 2024) and a Doctoral Board Certified Behavior Analyst (#1-13-14435, certified since 2013) with extensive expertise in autism intervention, severe behavior, and professional training. She has been affiliated with the Marcus Autism Center since 2018, serving as a clinician in the Complex Behavior Support Program, Program Manager of the Transition Program since 2022, and more recently as Postdoctoral Resident Training Coordinator and Provider Mentorship Director in 2025. Her prior academic appointments include Practicum Coordinator and Visiting Assistant Professor at Rollins College (2015–2018) and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University (2018–2024). She previously held leadership roles at the University of Florida as Associate Clinical Director of the Behavior Analysis Research Clinic (2013–2015). Dr. Freeman earned her B.S. in Psychology from Louisiana State University in 2010, an M.S. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2013, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida in 2016, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Rollins College (2015–2016). She has advanced numerous training and administrative programs at Marcus Autism Center, including serving as Program Manager of the Master’s and Ph.D. Program in Applied Behavior Analysis with the University of Georgia (2022–2025), chairing the Severe Behavior Department Research Mentorship Program (2019–2022), co-directing the Applied Behavior Analysis Postdoctoral Training Program (2021–2023), and leading the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee (2025–present). A dedicated advocate for professional standards, she has served as Treasurer of the Association for Behavior Analysis International Challenging Behavior Special Interest Group since 2021 and held leadership roles in the Georgia Association for Behavior Analysis, including President in 2023. She has also contributed to state licensure efforts through committee work since 2019. Dr. Freeman is a frequent reviewer for major journals, including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (since 2013), Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities (since 2019), and Education and Treatmen

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

Slocum, S. K., & Tiger, J. H. (2010, May). Developing an assessment of sensitivity to and preference for forward and backward chaining strategies. Poster presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, San Antonio, TX.

Scheitauer, M. C., Tiger, J. H., Mevers, J. L., & Slocum, S. K. (2011, May). Assessing preference for choice-making opportunities with college students. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO.

Barlow, K., Tiger, J. H., Slocum, S. K., & Miller, S. J. (2011, May). Comparing mand-training efficiency with selection-based and topography-based communication systems. Poster presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO.

Scheitauer, M. C., Tiger, J. H., & Slocum, S. K. (2011, May). Descriptive and experimental evaluations of procedural fidelity failures of parents implementing differential reinforcement of alternative behavior in the treatment of problem behavior. Poster presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Denver, CO.

Slocum, S. K., Miller, S. J., & Tiger, J. H. (2012, May). An evaluation of the blocking procedure to teach conditional discriminations to a child with autism. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Seattle, WA.

Slocum, S. K., Zeug, N. M., Baker, C., Peters, K. P., Wunderlich, K. L., & Vollmer, T. V. (2013, May). A functional analysis of mild punishers for vocal stereotypy. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Minneapolis, MN.

Slocum, S. K., Vollmer, T. R., Whitehouse, C. W., Peters, K. P., Phillips, C. L., Radonavich, K., & Lewis, M. H. (2014, May). Developing a novel treatment for rigid inflexible behavior. Paper presented at the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Chicago, IL.

Zinabu Assefa Alemu | Environmental effects | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Zinabu Assefa Alemu | Environmental effects | Best Researcher Award

Zinabu Assefa Alemu at Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Ethiopia

Zinabu Assefa Alemu is an accomplished researcher with extensive experience in environmental health and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). Holding an MSc in Environmental Studies and Resource Management and a BSc in Applied Chemistry, he has led and contributed to numerous large-scale research projects, including nationwide surveys addressing sanitation, food security, and environmental sustainability. His leadership as a Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator, coupled with strong project management skills, has resulted in impactful studies published in high-impact journals like Health Science Reports and Environmental Systems Research. Zinabu is proficient in advanced research tools and actively advocates for environmental awareness. He has received prestigious fellowships, including the NFP Fellowship (UNESCO-IHE) and the Open Society Foundations’ Leadership Award. While expanding international collaborations and public outreach could enhance his impact further, his substantial contributions to research, leadership, and community advocacy position him as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile 

Education

Zinabu Assefa Alemu has a strong educational foundation that underpins his expertise as a researcher in environmental health and resource management. He earned an MSc in Environmental Studies and Resource Management from the TERI School of Advanced Studies in India, where he gained specialized knowledge in sustainability and resource efficiency. His academic journey began with a BSc in Applied Chemistry from Hawassa University, Ethiopia, which provided him with a solid grounding in scientific principles and analytical techniques. Zinabu has further enriched his knowledge through advanced training, including a short course on Conventional Wastewater Treatment at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands. This diverse educational background equips him with a multidisciplinary perspective essential for addressing complex environmental challenges. Zinabu’s education has been complemented by prestigious scholarships, such as the Open Society Foundations’ Civil Society Leadership Award, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence and impactful research.

Professional Experience

Zinabu Assefa Alemu has over a decade of professional experience as a researcher, with expertise in environmental health, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and resource management. Since 2014, he has been a researcher at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, where he has led numerous large-scale studies, including nationwide surveys on sanitation, water quality, food security, and environmental health. From 2010 to 2013, he worked at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, where he specialized in soil and water analysis and led laboratory operations. His roles have involved serving as a Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator, managing fieldwork, data analysis, financial processing, and report writing for high-impact projects. Zinabu has also facilitated workshops, provided training, and participated in advocacy campaigns to promote environmental sustainability. His leadership, project management skills, and dedication to research excellence have positioned him as a key contributor to addressing pressing environmental and public health challenges in Ethiopia.

Research Interest

Zinabu Assefa Alemu’s research interests lie at the intersection of environmental sustainability, public health, and resource management, with a particular focus on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). He is passionate about addressing critical environmental health challenges, including access to clean water, improved sanitation, and sustainable hygiene practices, especially in low-resource settings. Zinabu’s work emphasizes the assessment and improvement of environmental health systems, the mitigation of water pollution, and the promotion of sustainable practices to enhance community well-being. His interest extends to studying the impact of demographic disparities on WASH services and evaluating strategies to reduce health risks such as waterborne diseases. Zinabu is also deeply committed to leveraging his research to inform policy and advocate for environmental awareness. With a multidisciplinary approach, his work contributes to achieving sustainable development goals by bridging the gap between research, implementation, and community engagement to foster healthier and more sustainable environments.

Award and Honor

Zinabu Assefa Alemu has been recognized with prestigious awards and honors that highlight his academic excellence and contributions to research. He was awarded the NFP Fellowship by UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands, where he undertook advanced training in conventional wastewater treatment, enhancing his expertise in environmental health. He also received the highly competitive Open Society Foundations’ (OSF) Civil Society Leadership Award, a fully funded scholarship that enabled him to pursue his MSc in Environmental Studies and Resource Management at the TERI School of Advanced Studies in India. These accolades reflect his commitment to addressing critical environmental and public health challenges through research and education. Zinabu’s achievements underscore his dedication to professional growth, leadership, and impactful contributions to the fields of environmental health and sustainability, making him a distinguished researcher and a role model for aspiring professionals in his field.

Conclusion

Zinabu Assefa Alemu’s impressive academic background, extensive research experience, strong leadership skills, and impactful publication record make him a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His work addresses critical global challenges in environmental health and WASH, with substantial societal and policy implications. While there are opportunities to expand international collaboration and public outreach, his achievements demonstrate excellence and significant contributions to his field.

Publications Top Noted

  • Title: Prevalence and epidemiological distribution of indicators of pathogenic bacteria in households drinking water in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
    Authors: Adugna, E.A., Weldetinsae, A., Alemu, Z.A., Tessema, M., Girmay, A.M.
    Year: 2024
    Citation: BMC Public Health, 24(1), 2511
  • Title: Households’ access to basic sanitation services and associated factors in Geshiyaro project study sites in Ethiopia
    Authors: Alemu, Z.A., Kidane, A.W., Liyew, E.F., Tollera, G., Tessema, M.
    Year: 2024
    Citation: Discover Sustainability, 5(1), 200
  • Title: Prevalence of Open Defecation Practice and Associated Factors Among Households in Geshiyaro Project Implementation Sites in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
    Authors: Alemu, Z.A., Adugna, E.A., Kidane, A.W., Tollera, G., Tessema, M.
    Year: 2024
    Citation: Environmental Health Insights, 18
  • Title: Factors influencing access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in schools of Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
    Authors: Girmay, A.M., Weldegebriel, M.G., Mengesha, S.D., Tessema, M., Tollera, G.
    Year: 2023
    Citation: Discover Sustainability, 4(1), 5
  • Title: Access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and drinking water contamination risk levels in households of Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
    Authors: Girmay, A.M., Mengesha, S.D., Dinssa, D.A., Tessema, M., Tollera, G.
    Year: 2023
    Citation: Health Science Reports, 6(11), e1662
  • Title: Associations of WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Service Ladder service levels and sociodemographic factors with diarrhoeal disease among children under 5 years in Bishoftu town, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
    Authors: Girmay, A.M., Weldetinsae, A., Mengesha, S.D., Tessema, M., Tollera, G.
    Year: 2023
    Citation: BMJ Open, 13(7), e071296
  • Title: Level of JMP ladders for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services among healthcare facilities of Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia: An implication of healthcare-associated infection prevention status
    Authors: Girmay, A.M., Kenea, M.A., Mengesha, S.D., Tessema, M., Tollera, G.
    Year: 2023
    Citation: Journal of Water Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 13(6), pp. 415–423
  • Title: Adherence to infection prevention and control measures and risk of exposure among health-care workers: A cross-sectional study from the early period of COVID-19 pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
    Authors: Weldetinsae, A., Alemu, Z.A., Tefaye, K., Tessema, M., Tollera, G.
    Year: 2023
    Citation: Health Science Reports, 6(6), e1365
  • Title: Determinants of vaccine acceptance, knowledge, attitude, and prevention practices against COVID-19 among governmental healthcare workers in Addis Ababa and Adama, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
    Authors: Girmay, A.M., Weldegebriel, M.G., Serte, M.G., Tessema, M., Tollera, G.
    Year: 2023
    Citation: Health Science Reports, 6(1), e1074
  • Title: Factors associated with food safety practice and drinking-water quality of food establishments in Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia
    Authors: Girmay, A.M., Mengesha, S.D., Weldetinsae, A., Tessema, M., Tollera, G.
    Year: 2022
    Citation: Discover Food, 2(1), 35