Oluwabunmi Dada

I am an Assistant Professor of Occupational Safety and Health at Murray State University, where I teach mostly environmental courses and conduct research in toxicology, environmental exposures, disaster resilience, and public health. I trained as a Graduate Trainee in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where I studied aerosol toxicology and emerging inhalation exposures. 

My research integrates toxicology, environmental science, and public health, with a strong emphasis on health equity and vulnerable populations. My work centers on four core areas: evaluating the toxicological and public health impacts of e-cigarettes, including aerosol chemistry, particle formation, and cardiopulmonary effects using tools such as NMR spectroscopy; examining health disparities and chronic disease outcomes linked to environmental exposures and substance use; advancing disaster preparedness and community resilience in industrial and environmental emergencies; and exploring environmental and lifestyle determinants of longevity and well-being, informed by global Blue Zones research. 

I have contributed to national conversations on substance use, environmental justice, chronic disease prevention, and community preparedness. My publications span toxicology, environmental health, and public health, and I have served as PI or Co-PI on funded projects including a KentuckyView Mini-Grant on industrial pollution and water quality, a Natural Hazards Center grant on disaster preparedness and early warning systems, and a UAB Sparkman Pilot Grant on gaps in lung cancer screening implementation in South Africa. 

At Murray State, I have significantly shaped curriculum development, creating four new courses and expanding the environmental and occupational health track. I teach across undergraduate and graduate levels and have been recognized with the Murray State Alumni Association’s Emerging Scholar Award in STEM, as well as a nomination for the Board of Regents Teaching Excellence Award. 

I am a committed mentor and leader that supports students across educational stages and contributes to departmental and professional service. I am an active member of SOT, SETAC, ASSP, AIHA, and APHA, and holds national credentials including ASP, CSP, and ACUE certification in Effective College Instruction.