About the Lab & Our Trainer

Dr. Urgessa Tilahun is one of Ethiopia's foremost scholars in applied econometrics and quantitative research methodologies. Holding a doctorate in Econometrics, he has dedicated more than a decade to bridging the gap between rigorous academic statistical theory and its practical application in policy, development, and empirical research.

He serves as a lecturer and research consultant at a leading Ethiopian university, where he has taught graduate-level courses in econometrics, research methods, and statistical computing. His academic output includes peer-reviewed publications on development economics, poverty dynamics, agriculture productivity, and health-sector analysis — all employing the very tools he teaches at Nuwalif Lab.

Beyond academia, Dr. Urgessa has provided statistical consulting services to national and international development organisations, government bodies, and NGOs operating in Ethiopia and the East African region. This real-world engagement ensures that every session at the Lab is grounded in practical, career-relevant skills.

As a trainer, Dr. Urgessa is celebrated for his extraordinary patience, clarity of explanation, and ability to make complex concepts like cointegration, panel data heterogeneity, and optimisation programming feel intuitive and approachable. His students consistently describe his sessions as transformative — not just for their technical skills, but for their confidence as researchers.