Dr. Vijay Golla
- Consulting Interests
- Occupational Exposure Assessment
- Noise Assessment
- Biological Exposure Assessment
- Total Worker Health
- Agricultural Health
- HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response)
- Dr. Golla’s "Why"
I grew up in India, and since my childhood, I have been very observant of health and well-being of people. I was touched by the high prevalence of occupational diseases in the community, due to rapid industrialization in the region I grew up in. This passion for people’s health led me to pursue my higher education in medicine, and specialization in public health (occupational and environmental health) in the United States. I was always fascinated by the study of etiology of disease. My interest in the characteristics of etiological agents (biological, physical and chemical) has led me to pursue my doctoral training in exposure assessment and occupational health. I believe there is a great need for early diagnosis and disease prevention, and this can be achieved through greater emphasis on studying exposures and assessing determinants of disease in order to prevent/reduce disease causation and protect public health.
- Favorite project
In recent years, my research has focused on the critical issue of firefighters’ health, a matter of utmost importance to both career and volunteer firefighters. By combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, I have been studying exposures to fire smoke and occupational air contaminants. My research has shed light on the unique challenges faced by these brave individuals, revealing disparities in training and resources between career and volunteer firefighters. Firefighters are exposed to numerous contaminants not only during a firefighting event but also at the fire station engine bay and during fire training events. I have been working with firefighter associations to increase awareness, provide educational resources and interventions in order to help reduce exposures and improve/ protect firefighters’ health and wellbeing.
