Do The Change: Challenging and Reimagining OEHS
This podcast focuses on highlighting upcoming leaders in their fields and how they got to where they are today with a special focus on the field of Occupational Health and Environmental Health Sciences & Health Equity. So we are going to be talking about all the hills and valleys of their journeys and get some insight into non-traditional paths into the field. Sponsored by the Northern California Education and Research Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of California Berkeley, San Francisco, and Davis.
Do The Change: Challenging and Reimagining OEHS
Do the Change: Reimagining OEHS with Rezahn Abraha (Part 2)
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In the next episode of #DoTheChange, we are joined by Rezahn Abraha, MPH, a recent UC Berkeley graduate in Environmental Health Sciences and Global Health. Rezahn embodies a social-justice based approach to environmental health, striving to create equitable environments through her work in environmental policy analysis, exposure assessment, and epidemiological research. Tune in to hear her perspective on the importance of mentorship in building a career, her multicultural upbringing in the U.S. and Japan, and her research in addressing social determinants of health. You can find the full transcript of this episode on our website: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-rezahn-abraha
Hi, everyone. Welcome back to part 2 of our conversation with our amazing speaker on the Do the Change podcast. We're going to jump right back into the conversation. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube, and follow us on Spotify and Instagram at Do the Change podcast. I think it's really cool. I really like your mentorship insights because it sounds like something that made you really uncomfortable when you first started. But as people say, leaving your comfort zone is what lets you learn the most.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Definitely. Yeah. That's so true.
JOANNE TEH:I wanted to ask you about your work in the BiomSPHERE initiative. So I wanted to ask how you actually got involved with that. Were you initially interested in air pollution, or was it just like dipping your toes into a new field?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Right. So Betsy, not the instructor had posted on, I believe, the Public Health Internships and Jobs Platform, PHLEX, which is available to all public health students. And then I had applied. And then I got the position. And the reason I was interested was because I was looking for something that would look at-- Where I could look at, obviously, we're all doing this public health. Look at a specific environmental pollutant, see how it impacts marginalized communities. And I think that's what drew me to the position, because I would have the opportunity to look at air pollution, which is studied, but also just hasn't been studied maybe enough in marginalized communities. And that's what drew me to the position in the first place. And I wanted to get that more hands-on experience, which I saw was part of the description. And also the team was very flexible and said, you can be as involved as you want. And that was a green light to me. I saw that as an opportunity to-- it could be a space where I could ask questions. And I could help out with certain things. And so that was what drew me to the position, I guess.
JOANNE TEH:Awesome. Do you think it makes you more interested in working with air pollution sometime in the future maybe?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. I think what I learned is that I would love to work in the science communication space, which all science is like communication. But I really do enjoy taking the summary, the results and communicating it to the public. I think that's where my head's at now. And that's something that I also realized from the project. Is I really enjoy speaking with folks, and I really enjoy helping to mentor and teach people. So that's all been a part of the journey.
JOANNE TEH:Wait, that's awesome. That's a good. So that's the best takeaway. When you can find out what you actually are most passionate about from a project.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:Yeah. I think easier said than done.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. Because you have to, sometimes, do what you don't like to do to figure out what you do. So that's been a huge takeaway for sure.
JOANNE TEH:Science communication has been a really hot topic in my previous episodes with other OEHS professionals. So it's really interesting that you bring it up.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:My previous conversations have mostly been with people who worked on the research side. So they are preparing the things for others to communicate to the people. But what can people do? What jobs can people get involved in or activities can people get involved in if they want to actually be on the side of science communication? Of communicating it to the people.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Right. So I think there are a lot of ways to do it. You can be involved. You see, there's communication, and then there's action. And they also go like hand in hand. So I see policy-oriented jobs as can be science communication, too. Yeah. There's also certain consulting positions where you take the results from the research and then turn it into something the public understands. And then there's also science communication that happens in community organizing spaces. And I think that that is a space I'm very interested in and would love to explore more and have a little bit of experience. But I think that helping to-- or being involved in taking research from academia and communicating it to folks who are trying to get action done in their communities is something that I'm really interested in and very passionate about. So that's a space I would like to inhabit, I think, in the future.
JOANNE TEH:That's awesome. Wait. Can you tell us more about that? What does it actually entail? What was your experience in the past?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Great. So it was both academic and organizing. But I did an internship through the UC Berkeley Labor Summer program, which was really awesome. And I think the reason I thought of it as more of an organizing experience was because we got placed in a job essentially for eight weeks. And we were fully with that organization for the eight weeks. So I was with SEIU 10 to 1, which is a Service Employees International Union. And I helped organize on campaigns that involved temporary workers or Uber and Lyft drivers, for example. And then I also worked on a project or on a campaign for early childhood educators and organizing early childhood educators for fair pay and things like that. So I did a lot of interviewing for workers during that experience. And I think that-- and just that experience helped me-- I don't know, formed my certain desires to study certain things in grad school. Yeah. So that's an experience that I've had. And then I also have-- in undergrad, I was also part of the Students of Color Environmental Collective. And I think I saw that a little bit as an organizing space just because we would talk about issues that were important to us and that we thought people should organize around. And then I had some organizing experience in high school as well. So yeah. That's always been something that's really important to me. And I think seeing that play out in, I don't, in a different way, like in an environmental health way is very important to me as well.
JOANNE TEH:That's awesome. That tie in to what you mentioned in your bio. That was like, you're using a social justice-based approach to environmental health?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. Exactly. I see science as a way to communicate what I think this is what a lot of people see in public health as is. A way to help articulate the issues that people already know happened or are happening but want to help validate and understand in a clearer way so that we can problem solve. Yeah. So that's where I'm coming from.
JOANNE TEH:That's awesome. Can you tell us more about the social justice-based approach?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. So. I think it's like a frame of thinking of like, OK. So I want to go into this specific type of research, because they're working on this issue right now. So I'm trying to give an example in grad school, but one thing I want to do is to disseminate the findings of my research and give it to folks so that they know they're exposed to x, y, and z. And they can do that. They can take the information and then use it to inform their life and to help create policies that will benefit them and help clean the environment. So yeah. I don't have much to say about that other than I think that's just my frame of thinking and how I approach academic research. Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:That's pretty cool. I feel like so far, I've mostly learned about, in my personal experience of OEHS, I've mostly learned about the sciency academia side, where people are talking about the research topics that they like the most and what brought them there, but not really the aspect of conveying it to the people and having social principles inserted into their communication of the science to the people.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Right.
JOANNE TEH:So I think it's a cool aspect of the field.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. Yeah. I don't know. I'm very grateful that that exists, because I think that there are a lot of people in public health who do care about those things. And that's why they study them. Yeah. I realized that another part of the example that-- I'm thinking of more examples of maybe more of a social justice-based approach was I took a law class and we talked a lot about how our academic research, a public health law class specifically, and how research needs to translate into policy. And part of that is coalition building and grassroots organizing. And so for me, in that class, I had the opportunity to go on a trip with this semester alongside Betsy, industrial hygienist, and other folks on the team, ergonomists. And I got a chance to talk to poultry plant workers in North Carolina. And that was just a huge experience for me. And so taking away from that experience, I think, I used, first of all, that experience to help inform my writing for the public health law class. But I realized so many intersections between labor and environmental health and occupational health that are just so vivid that you hear about. You learn about a lot of these things in school, and then it plays out in real life. And I think I realized how important research was, but also how important organizing was. And creating conditions for a safe workplace and a good workplace. A healthy workplace, sorry. Very, very important. So I think that's part of another approach of thinking that I have when it comes to research. Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:That's awesome.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Thank you.
JOANNE TEH:Do you have any recommendations where, I guess, undergrads or people, high schoolers even more interested in getting involved in the intersection of policymaking in environmental health?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. I think that one piece of advice is that I have is that I think a lot of people just have an intuition about what an issue is because they come from-- they have what is it called? Experiential knowledge. And they come from a background same like as you and me and what you were saying. And so leaning into that instead of away from it, I think, is one thing that folks should do. Is study what you're passionate about and study-- for folks that want to go into the field, yeah. Study what you're passionate about, and you will do great. Even if it doesn't feel like it, like, you already are doing so well because you're able to-- how do I say this? Whatever place you go into, that knowledge that you have learned from, I don't know, an institution like Berkeley, you can carry back to your community. And then also understand that learning happens there. So I guess, yeah. Just lean into what you're passionate about, and don't doubt yourself because you're great, I guess.[LAUGHTER]
JOANNE TEH:That's awesome.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Thanks.
JOANNE TEH:I feel like you're pretty knowledgeable about the various classes that are offered in this field.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:Do you have any recommendations for classes that these undergrads could take?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Right. Are you talking about specifically for environmental health or for--
JOANNE TEH:Yeah. For people interested in getting into environmental health. Policy making and stuff like that.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yes. So. I'm thinking. A lot of the classes are very theoretical that I drew from-- or they're more abstract and thought and not hands-on policymaking courses. But like I said, Race, Space, and Inequality was a good one. And then there was another class that I took that I can't remember the name of right now, but that I will look up just for a second. Let's just see what my courses are. Great thing about having continued schools, I can just look up all the previous courses that I've taken in my b-courses.
JOANNE TEH:Oh. Yeah. That's true.[LAUGHTER]
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. So I took another class, oh. Performing Race, Class, and Space in Oakland. That was a really important class for me. There was another class called, let's see it. An environmental justice class that I took. Race, Class, and Equity and the Environment. And then Food in the Environment was lovely class that I took. And I really hope they still offer it, because you learn about food systems, and you learn about its intersection with the environment. And I think that also informs environmental health a lot. Introduction to Environmental Economics and Policy was also a very helpful class. And then this last class that I'm thinking of. Oh. I think that this is also offered to undergrads. But health implications of climate change.
JOANNE TEH:Oh. It's pretty topical.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. It's a very good class. And you get to learn-- for the final project, learn about a specific issue and present it. And I feel like that would be great for anybody that's looking in this field. And then the other class, the last class I was thinking about was Feminist Environmental Ethics. So yeah. Which I loved as well. So I mostly listed undergrad classes, and I listed one grad class, which was health implications of climate change that's available to folks. And then another class that I took as a grad just not to trail, but international maternal and child health. And while that class isn't available to undergrads, Ndola Prata teaches an undergrad class. And I think that that's also a great way to learn. Yeah. Which is all about environmental health specifically, but, I think, informs the approach.
JOANNE TEH:I see. I see. So you dip your toes into all sorts of different topics within environmental health and outside of it. What was your reasoning for doing so?
REZAHN ABRAHA:What was my reasoning? Well, no. That's a great question. I think that-- and just seeing how things intersect so much. When we study a specific issue, I think that I see how folks very rightly so, hone in on their discipline and their skill set. And then there's sharing that happens after you've done the research. But I think that my approach to schooling has been that I need to be able to understand a little bit about where other disciplines are coming from in order to dive deep into my own research. And so I think that that's informed my approach to taking classes because I'm like, I think I'm going to need to know a little bit about this later. And I need to know where people are coming from when they talk about this discipline. So at least I'm familiar with the terms. And at least I'm familiar with the approach. And so that's been my personal approach.
JOANNE TEH:It's a really interesting take. Because me personally, I don't have that much experience in academia, but I always just thought, in order to get further involved deeper into my field, I would just take more continuously niche classes in my desired field. But I never would have thought that-- I like what you said earlier, where you said taking the classes from surrounding topics lets you get to know your own topic better.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. Yeah. That's a great way of putting it.
JOANNE TEH:How did you see that happening, as you did this?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. I think I just realized the importance of, I don't know. Yeah. So to give the example of the law paper that I worked on and the law class that I took, I realized that unless you have good researchers, and you have good community organizers, and you can understand the power dynamics at play in this particular issue, and you can understand industry and their perspective, you cannot solve probably the issue of air pollution that all these communities experience. Being able to, I guess, articulate and understand where each person involved in a specific issue is coming from. But it allows you to prioritize, what's the most important thing in this issue. And like for me, that was reducing the exposure of people that are harmed by sources of ambient air pollution, and also other unknown sources. So I think that was an issue, I thought a lot about. That was the way I thought about it. And in all of the stakeholders that are involved in this issue, learning about each of them helps you prioritize which ones are the most important to you. And I think that's what I realized. Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:Hmm. I see. That's really interesting. I feel like I should be applying that to my own classes. So it's like having a well-rounded knowledge about the issue that you're trying to target will make you better equipped to target this issue.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Exactly. I think that I'm learning a lot from you and what you're saying, too, because there is something to taking a lot of classes. And I think that's something I haven't done as much, but taking a lot of courses in something and deepening your knowledge in that specific field is so valuable, too. And people just experience life differently. When I say, people experience life differently, I just mean they have different approaches, too. And I think that there are people that are needed that need to focus on a specific thing and develop that knowledge and skill set. I just I'm not sure that right now, I'm one of them. So yeah.
JOANNE TEH:Now that you mention it, I think it might have to do with my personality, I guess. I think I'm prone to tunnel visioning.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Oh.[LAUGHTER]
JOANNE TEH:So, of course, I would think of getting deeper into a topic as getting into super niche classes about that topic.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:But I guess both approaches are valuable to a field.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yea. Yeah. I'm learning from you, too. Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:Thanks.[LAUGHTER] OK. Let me pivot real quick. One last question-- or not last question. But one question I wanted to make sure I got in was I wanted to ask you, what's a piece of advice that you wish someone had given you when you were starting your journey in the professional field or just like in environmental health specifically?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Hmm. I think to see yourself as a professional already, even though it feels like maybe you're not. And you just have to do the thing that you want to do. And the more you do it, the better you'll get at it. So I think that's general advice I have, but it can be intimidating to be in an environment of people who are experts in their field. But they're not looking down on you. They're not judging you for not being at their level. They know that it probably took them years to get where they are. And so being able to just continue to ask questions and get help where you need it is probably the most valuable skill that you can learn. And yeah. Lean on the expertise and knowledge around you, but also know that you have expertise and you are also already professional in the field.
JOANNE TEH:I love that. So this is just for new professionals to any field.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Mhm.
JOANNE TEH:Yeah. Wow. How about environmental health specifically?
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. So I think that for environmental health, I think you have to-- embodying that approach, I think, you really should lean on other disciplines too to inform your own research. And environmental health is so broad. You're focusing on exposures from chemical exposures to the actual environment. Build roads and highways and things like that. So it's so broad. And understanding that, and then going into your own field, I guess, just know that you have a space there, too. So I guess that's the best answer that I can give for environmental health specifically. But yeah. If you're passionate about this specific thing, go for it. Because there are many things to study. And they're definitely not all studied.
JOANNE TEH:I like that.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:OK. Let me see. Is there anything that you missed saying earlier that you want to make sure you get in?
REZAHN ABRAHA:I don't think so. I think you've covered it.[LAUGHTER]
JOANNE TEH:Thanks to you. I was like, I have questions ready at my disposal. But you were answering them all as you were[INTERPOSING VOICES] with me.[LAUGHTER]
REZAHN ABRAHA:Can I just say, I also don't know if we're still recording. But even if we're still recording, it's fine. You have a great podcast voice. I think that you're doing a great job.
JOANNE TEH:Well, that's the most top tier personality-- or not personality. Top tier compliment ever.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yes.
JOANNE TEH:Podcast voice.[LAUGHTER] Thank you.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. You're doing great. I always think about MPR-- those other-- I don't know. It's so hard. I was like, how do they do that? It's difficult. But you're doing a great job.
JOANNE TEH:Thank you. Wow. I've never had my voice compared to MPR before. That's nice.[LAUGHTER] OK. In that case, any last things?
REZAHN ABRAHA:I don't think so. I think that we've covered it. And I'm very happy that you've had me on the podcast. And you're doing great. So keep doing it. And I've learned a lot, too. So thank you so much.
JOANNE TEH:Thank you. I haven't heard someone tell me they learn from me.[LAUGHTER] I loved having you. I really enjoyed talking to you. I also learned a lot from, especially, about the policymaking aspect.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. Definitely. I'm glad.
JOANNE TEH:Good luck with all your future endeavors.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Thank you.
JOANNE TEH:I hope wish you have good rest before you start your next project mission.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Thank you. Thank you so much.
JOANNE TEH:For sure. OK. I will maybe talk to you again in the future. Thank you, Rezahn.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Sure. Yeah. Don't hesitate to reach out. And you can always email me. And yeah. Just feel free to reach out whenever, honestly. Yeah.
JOANNE TEH:Awesome. OK. Well, have a good rest of your day.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Yeah. You too. Take care.
JOANNE TEH:Bye.
REZAHN ABRAHA:Bye.