Do The Change: Challenging and Reimagining OEHS

Do the Change: Reimagining OEHS with Javier Freire (Part 1)

• Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) • Season 2 • Episode 1

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Tune into Season 2, Episode 1 with Javier Freire, a PhD candidate in Environmental Health Sciences! This episode is the first of our second season of Do the Change, hosted by Joanne Teh. In this conversation, Javier and Joanne discuss Javier's career in biomonitoring wildland firefighters, his journey from Chile to America, the invaluable role of mentors, and his tips for young professionals looking to stand out to employers.

See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-javier-freire

JOANNE TEH:

Hi everyone, welcome to Do The Change podcast where we're challenging and reimagining Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences. In this podcast, we focus on upcoming and current leaders in their field and diving into how they got to where they are today and their advice for those interested in the field. My name is Joanne Teh and I'm a current undergraduate here at Berkeley, and our guest for this episode is Javier Freire. So Javier Freire Herrera was born and raised in Concepión, Chile. In 2022 he will begin his PhD in Environmental Health Science at the EHS division of UC Berkeley. His research focuses on ergonomics or human factors and his specific research will delve into the impact of climate change and extreme environments on Wildland firefighters. Javier also currently holds a position as a professor at the Universidad de Concepción. In 2022 he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to pursue his PhD studies in the USA, where he now resides with his wife and three children. So how are you today, Javier?

JAVIER FREIRE:

I am really good I am so happy to be here, thank you for the opportunity.

JOANNE TEH:

Of course, of course. I'm glad to hear that. So, I guess we can start with my first question which was can you share your personal journey and how you became interested in your field, so like what sparked your passion and motivated you to pursue a career in this area, because working with firefighters is pretty interesting.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah sure, absolutely. Well, when I was a child I had a lot of questions in my mind but in relation with this personal journey about my Academia, my first approach into this work was when I read or search information about the human health. I think was really interesting for me this topic when I was a child and I remember when with my friends and siblings we did a lot of experiments about the different situations, although they sometime fail but all always amaze us and taught us something new. And my more formal interest in ergonomics and human factor arose during my Kinesiology studies at the University of Concepción in 24, I remember. And during this time I delved deeper into the physiology of the human movement and I understood how the physical demand of the work can influence of- our health and performance. And I was fortunate to have had classes with Dr. Elias Apud, who was a pioneer of discipline, ergonomics area in Chile and Latin America for more than 50 years. Which inspired me even more in this field. Yeah but you're right, absolutely, Wildland fires and Wildland firefighters are a really important topic now, because every year we have more wildfires around the world and until we have a big problem with that situation. Well, my specialization in ergonomic was in 2010 and after my study as a physical therapist and during my master degree I studied, I studied the urban firefighters and I include some assessment such as physical capacity, medical examinations, and body composition. And probably in this opportunity I developed the interest about the wildfires or the fires in general. Also I have been working as a professor at the University of Concepción for 12 years, or maybe 14 years. And this department had a lot of research about the Forestry and the wildland firefighters, too. Yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

What did you, how did you get involved with becoming a professor at the University, what did you teach?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Well I have different subjects but at the first, during the first years I just did a lot of applied studies, such as I went to the different companies to research about the working condition of the workers. I remember I went to the north of Chile, I went to the south of Chile, Chile is a long country it's 4,000 kilometers, really long country. And I went to the different places for evaluation of different work in situation in Chile. I got a lot of experience about that it's amazing.

JOANNE TEH:

That's really interesting.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

So you started off as like a physical therapist you said?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah. A physical therapist.

JOANNE TEH:

Yeah. That's really interesting, so you went from biological sciences into ergonomics and firefighting.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah. Well, actually ergonomics is a mix between different areas, one of them is biological, engineering, psychological, yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

Mhm. Can you explain that first? Just for like the layman listening.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah. Because human factor or ergonomics, we try to see the human being as a holistic point of view and and we need to maybe mix different knowledge about the biological, engineering, and psychological aspect. We're trying to understand better what is the worst situation for the human being and we, the last goal is we try to avoid different disease during the work spaces.

JOANNE TEH:

Mmm. I see, I see. So that's where the occupational health comes into play. That's really interesting.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yes.

JOANNE TEH:

Can you tell us more about like how you got specifically into firefighting, because that's a pretty interesting intersection.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah, one of my studies as a professor in Chile was evaluate the different aerobic condition and body composition, but maybe physical condition in general about the Wildland firefighters and every year we evaluate like a thousand workers each season, because we start the season in between August to September in Chile, for prepare the summer season for the wildfires. And each season we have a lot of workers who try to apply for being wildland firefighters and with different techniques we try to capture what is the aerobic capacity, body composition, and what is the different medical aspect too and psychological aspect. It's like a big team that we evaluate three main aspect, physiological, and medical, and psychological aspect for the workers. Yeah it's really interesting.

JOANNE TEH:

So you're trying to like quantize these into like numbers, graphs, is that the goal?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah, because being a wildland firefighter is a critical work, they work in extreme conditions, environment conditions like high temperature ambient level and they work as a great physically forward and they need to have a specific for example aerobic capacity or different physical conditions.

JOANNE TEH:

I see, I see. So this to make sure that they're like fit for the job.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

Interesting, interesting, so-

JAVIER FREIRE:

And yeah and even we have, I participate in other study about the other workers but I think my interest is in extreme maybe environment conditions.

JOANNE TEH:

I see, what made you like decide that, like commit to that as your interest?

JAVIER FREIRE:

I am not really sure when I decide this decision but the last, at least the last five years of my professional career I am looking for different extreme condition for workers and we try to improve this kind of working condition.

JOANNE TEH:

I see, that's pretty cool.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

So you said that you don't, you're not sure if there's any any pivotal like decision making point that made you decide you have- Oh, go ahead.

JAVIER FREIRE:

I don't remember any specific point but in my academic and professional career has been marked by crucial moments that have shape who I am today. For example it all began in a public school with limited resources, when I learned from an early age the value of a(FOUR) then I studied at the Salesiano School in Chile, its like a Catholic School in Concepción. And this opportunity not only provide me the quality good education, but also they give me a really good values such as solidarity, teamwork, and maybe commitment with the community. And this value became the foundation of my career and have a guide my action to this day. After that I study at the University of Concepción and I remember I got a scholarship for study at the University of Concepción because I came from big family. I have four siblings and when I study at the University of Concepción, we have a big issue about the socioeconomical challenges and I got a scholarship for studying my physical therapy career, was amazing. And then I well, I got a job at the same University.

JOANNE TEH:

Wow so it sounds like a combination of like fortunate circumstances, good educational environment, all kind of helped you to get to where you are now.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah, sure, absolutely.

JOANNE TEH:

That's awesome. That's so cool giving you a scholarship, that's awesome. So are there any achievements that you have gotten along your path, along your career path until now that you think really helped point you into the direction that you're going today?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Sure. During the 2020 I got this scholarship for study my PhD in USA. This was a really great moment too, but this scholarship was a special grant for people who don't speak English.

JOANNE TEH:

Oh.

JAVIER FREIRE:

And they have special classes for learn English and then maybe practice and prepare for apply to the different universities in USA. I think was a great scholarship for special people who don't have a background in English.

JOANNE TEH:

Awesome so what- yeah, sorry.

JAVIER FREIRE:

I remember when I studied for example, my school I don't have a lot of English classes, maybe one hour per week. But finally with this scholarship I can learn the base of English. But when we arrive to USA I felt a little uncomfortable with the language still because the people speak so fast and use a lot of slang. Probably the same feeling when the other people visit Chile because we speak a little fast Spanish too.

JOANNE TEH:

Yeah that's definitely how I felt when I visited Colombia.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah, probably.

JOANNE TEH:

Definitely speaking fast.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

When you came to America did you, were you the one who decided you want to come to California?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah, well I when I applied to the different PhD programs in USA, I applied maybe six or seven program in USA because the scholarship require apply for several University. I got an acceptance letter in Virginia Tech University and in UC Berkeley too. But I met my academic advisor Dr. Eva Harris in 2018 in Florence, in Italy. This was a really great moment too, because in this International meeting I can met my actual, my current, sorry my current academic advisor Dr. Harris. And was amazing opportunity to talk with Dr. Harris about ergonomics and I remember I heard her presentation about the economics, it was great moment too.

JOANNE TEH:

Wow, awesome. Is your academic advisor linked to Fulbright, or is it just like here at Berkeley?

JAVIER FREIRE:

No, but she explained me what is the main activities in the ergonomics lab at UC Berkeley and she gave me courage to pursue my goals. And but I remember in this opportunity I didn't speak, maybe nothing in English I tried to mix between Spanish and English, and she speak Spanish very well too.

JOANNE TEH:

That's perfect then, wow. That's an amazing person to have helped you.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah. JOANNE TEH: So, now that we've gotten to Berkeley, how did you get involved in you said the UC Berkeley ergonomics lab, and now you're going to start your PhD soon- oh wait in 2022 you started your PhD, right? Yeah I start my PhD in August 2022, but uh before that I had different meeting with Dr. Harris and she invite me to participate in an online program and even I participate in a presential workshop during the summer in 2019. This was my first approach in presential classes at UC Ergo lab, and I met the other professor at the UC Ergo lab. Was amazing opportunity to, for visit California for my first time too.

JOANNE TEH:

Can you tell us more about the UC Ergo lab because like me, at my job I'm often hearing about the UC Ergo lab, I don't really know what it quite is?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah, UC Ergo Lab is an amazing team that have people from different backgrounds and even they have different projects and they develop a specific activity, has Academia, research, they have a great equipments too, and and they are located in Richmond Field station and they have amazing equipment for research about the ergonomics situation, yeah. I when, I remember when I visit for the first time I was impressed about the all kind of equipment and capacity for research they have.

JOANNE TEH:

Yeah. I've never personally been to the Richmond Field Station but I remember once, a few months ago there was like a Berkeley WarnMe about sapphires or like precious gems being stolen from the Richmond Field Station that were being used for experimentation.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah it's not really far but I love the Richmond Field station because currently I'm living in Albany, it's close to the ocean.

JOANNE TEH:

Oh, yes.

JAVIER FREIRE:

I, when I visit Richmond Field station I use the Bay Trail and I ride my bike to commuting. I think it's 25 minutes just for relax and enjoy the coast.

JOANNE TEH:

Wow, that's nice.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah. JOANNE TEH: I think you're stronger than me though. I don't think I'd be able to bike for 25 minutes every day. It's really great. Even I try to run maybe every week around this area because it's, it's amazing area for practice sport or yes walk when you have a lot of things in your mind I think it's a really good place for just relax.

JOANNE TEH:

Well, okay. Note to self, go visit Albany more.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

Okay, while you take a sip of water, let's talk about, so I found you via the COEH trainee list.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Okay, right.

JOANNE TEH:

Can- yeah. Could you tell us more about the, like how you got involved with the COEH trainees, like how does that work, what is that program?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Okay, yeah. It's, I consider it's a really great program, have, for example I am research about the Wildland firefighters or the impact of the climate change, but other classmates research about the other fields and we can share different knowledge about the different areas. That is really great because I had other advice made for maybe toxicology point of view or areas or other kind of areas and I think it's really great for have a great conversation about the environmental health science. I think this program have different activities during the year, even we have field trips different companies, I remember a couple of companies that we had, a really great experience and because I never visited any other companies in USA. But with this this program I visit a lot of places and I learned a lot about the different organization, different ergonomics situation in different companies.

JOANNE TEH:

Awesome. Shout out COEH.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah it's really great.

JOANNE TEH:

Okay, in that case can I ask you about any specific challenges or obstacles you faced along your way along your journey. Like how were you able to overcome them?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah I think I face a lot of challenges maybe in academic and personal areas because I stay here with my wife, my three kids and it's not really easy to decide move your own country and maybe say goodbye to your relatives, your friends, your life, your culture, your job, and but was a really great I think this was the most significant challenge has been did and, but yeah, for sure the decision to move to California. I think has been really great because my kids when we arrived here two years ago they did not speak nothing in English. Currently they speak really well.

JOANNE TEH:

Wow.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Better, better than me. I- they have a really good pronunciation, yeah and this is the other big challenge, the language. Because when you move to another country you need to obviously learn another language and but, yeah with the time or immersion, I think is possible to improve maybe the listening and speaking.

JOANNE TEH:

Yeah, wow. That's awesome. Your kids are very smart.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

Pretty jealous of kids' ability to pickup language fast.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah. Currently they are in elementary school, next year they move to Middle School.

JOANNE TEH:

Oh wow, so they're quite- they're so that means they must be about 12, 13?

JAVIER FREIRE:

I have three kids, I have a twins.

JOANNE TEH:

Ohhh.

JAVIER FREIRE:

They are 10 years old now, and a boy, he's eight years old, yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

Nice.

JAVIER FREIRE:

But my twins turn around the middle school I think it's great for us.

JOANNE TEH:

Yeah, sounds like- JAVIER FREIRE: They are really excited. Yeah?

JAVIER FREIRE:

They're really excited to [Unitelligible]

JOANNE TEH:

I remember entering Middle School I was really excited for my first time having different periods and different classes to go to in the day instead of just having one teacher the whole day.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah, it's funny because in the elementary school they are in Ocean View school they are otters, but the next year in middle school I think is a cobra, so there kind of animals. Cobras, animal and they feel excited with to be Cobras now.

JOANNE TEH:

They have so much school spirit already.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah. And they love the sport and they have a lot of opportunities for practice sport too.

JOANNE TEH:

That's nice. JAVIER FREIRE: Such as volleyball or basketball. Mhm. Awesome, wow that's a even tougher decision for your kids to be like quite grown.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

And already established in Chile and then having to move everyone and go to California.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah, and other cool things is the opportunity to meet classmate from different countries. Currently we are living in UC Village, it's a specific Village for people who study the undergrad or graduate studies.

JOANNE TEH:

I see.

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah and they have maybe classmate from different countries, maybe five or six other countries, I think it's really great.

JOANNE TEH:

Awesome, yeah. So it makes it kind of easier to acclimate since there's many other people who have the similar, have gone through the similar struggles as you of with packing up everything and moving to a different country?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah, yeah. That's really right because we have a in the UC Village we have special program for people from other, for international people. And we can talk with people from the different latitude.

JOANNE TEH:

I see, I see. Sounds awesome. Sounds like you have, you don't regret your decision to come here at all. The Fulbright scholarship really helped you out.

JAVIER FREIRE:

I think this was part of the journey and the Fulbright scholarship is not just for academic issues, it's for cultural, it's for developed societies, I think it's a more holistic scholarship that include the, all kind of areas on the people life, yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

That's awesome. So is the end goal to like go back to Chile or to like remain here in California?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yes, when I finish my PhD maybe in 2027 I hope we can return to my country because one requirement of this scholarship is return to the country, the original country.

JOANNE TEH:

Oh, to like return to the country and kind of like add to the science the technology back home?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah. And this was my special goal because I have to return to my country, and yeah and try to improve the working condition in Chile and Latin America too.

JOANNE TEH:

Awesome.

JAVIER FREIRE:

We need to improve the working condition in Latin America, we have a really high physical effort in different workplaces, yeah, we need to do more research about the what is the consequence when you have a really high physical effort or you have a really bad working condition you need to improve, we need to improve the working condition.

JOANNE TEH:

So that's where you come in, right?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Yeah.

JOANNE TEH:

So like with ergonomics, quantizing like the ergonomics streams and stuff?

JAVIER FREIRE:

Sure, that's right.

JOANNE TEH:

I see, I see. Hey guys, this is Joanne Teh, your host for this episode and we have reached the end of part one of this conversation with our wonderful guest. Don't click out yet, because part two of this conversation has already been posted, so check out our page to finish the conversation. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Spotify and Instagram @dothechangepodcast.