Do The Change: Challenging and Reimagining OEHS: Recent Episodes
Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH)
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.
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
In our most recent episode of #DoTheChange, we'll be featuring an amazing conversation with Kevin Ru, MPH, who currently studies increased risk of chronic disease in janitors. We'll talk about different ways people can get involved in occupational and environmental health and areas of concentration. We'll also explore how today's changing society might impact the field and open up opportunities for new professionals. Tune in to hear Kevin's tips on how to succeed in the field of OEHS.
In Part 2 of our most recent episode of #DoTheChange, we'll be featuring an amazing conversation with Kevin Ru, MPH, who currently studies increased risk of chronic disease in janitors. We'll talk about different ways people can get involved in occupational and environmental health and areas of concentration. We'll also explore how today's changing society might impact the field and open up opportunities for new professionals. Tune in to hear Kevin's tips on how to succeed in the field of OEHS.
For Do The Change's third episode of the season, we are joined by a guest with a truly exceptional story: Sangeeta "San" Agarawal, RN, MS, CAS. San's journey starts off in a very traditional part of India where education was something she had to fight for. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and passion to help others, she enjoyed a successful career in both the tech and nursing fields, creating a tech company and later working as a registered nurse. Still motivated by her desire to work more closely with the people she yearns to help, San most recently pivoted into occupational health, where she is now about to graduate with her NP, and will be starting her PhD with the UC Occupational Health and Nursing Department.
Join us for Part 2 of our conversation with Sangeeta "San" Agarawal, RN, MS, CAS. With many years of professional experience across the tech and healthcare sectors, San has an incredible amount of career development advice to give. From the best ways to use networking to break into a new industry, to effective self-care techniques to stay motivated through tough times, join San as she discusses the twists and turns in her career.
Join us for Part 2 of our conversation with Simon Camponuri! Discover his untraditional journey from premed student, to wildlife researcher, and finally to Valley Fever researcher, and explore how his drive to explore his various passions led him to a field he feels fulfilled in.
See full transcript here: www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-simon-camponuri
Join us for Part 1 of our conversation with Simon Camponuri! Discover his untraditional journey from premed student, to wildlife researcher, and finally to Valley Fever researcher, and explore how his drive to explore his various passions led him to a field he feels fulfilled in.
See full transcript here: www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-simon-camponuri
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
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
Dive into Episode 11 with Mulika Musyimi, a dedicated advocate in the fields of public health and global health. Mulika’s global perspective includes his role as a Human Rights Fellow at Sanergy in Nairobi, Kenya, where he contributed to the WASH sector (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). Join us for this illuminating conversation with Mulika Musyimi as we delve into his personal journey in public health, the power of mentorship, the role of community colleges, and the importance and expansiveness of diversity.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-mulika-musyimi
Tune into Part 2 of our conversation with Mulika Musyimi, a passionate advocate in public and global health!
About the Speaker: Mulika Musyimi, MPH is originally from Kilifi, a small town in the Coast province of Kenya, and he is the son of farmers, cooks, teachers, tailors, hotel workers, and storytellers. He wants to acknowledge them and their impact because without them, there wouldn't be a story thread featuring him. In addition to having various relatives experience health challenges throughout his life, there was also the realization that as a Sub-Saharan African migrant living in a US context, there was now this different exposure/perspective of seeing and making sense of his surroundings. The markedly poor overall health outcomes experienced by Black communities on the continent and in the diaspora is dire and needs addressing particularly because of the sum of stressors that social determinants of health place on an individual, a family, and a community. In short, these were some of his motivators in pursuing an MPH in Global Environmental Health.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-mulika-musyimi
Tune into Part 2 of our conversation with Bhavya Joshi, MA! Discover Bhavya's work in women’s reproductive health access for refugees, her strong human rights background, and insights on pursuing a interdisciplinary Doctor of Public Health degree. Listen now for a compelling conversation on health as a human right and the global pursuit of reproductive health equity.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-bhavya-joshi-ma
Dive into Episode 10 with Bhavya Joshi, a UC Berkeley Doctor of Public Health candidate from India! A Global Public Health Fellow and Human Rights Center Fellow, she researches reproductive needs in crisis areas, focusing on South Sudan and Ukrainian women refugees in Croatia. Bhavya advocates for global women's rights, leveraging her 6+ years of experience in public health project management in South Asia. Her research covers sexual health, empowerment, and more.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-bhavya-joshi-ma
In Part 2 of this episode of Do The Change, we are joined by Gabriela Gonzalez, MPH! Gabriela is a passionate advocate in the field of maternal child health, dedicated to supporting moms and birthing people. Join us for this enlightening conversation as we explore her journey in maternal child health, imposter syndrome, the influence of family mentorship, post-graduate transitions, job search strategies, and more.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-gabriela-gonzalez
In episode 9, we are joined by our wonderful guest, Gabriela Gonzalez, MPH. A recent UC Berkeley MPH graduate, she is dedicated to reproductive justice and improving pregnancy experiences. Focused on Black maternal health equity, Gabriela aims for a future in policy, advocacy, and community doula accessibility. Tune in for an insightful conversation on public health, impactful change, and her journey as a young professional.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-gabriela-gonzalez
Our newest podcast guest is Ashley Smith, MPH! Ashley is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley's MPH program and has spent the last 3.5 years as a researcher at UCSF, focusing on research projects that examine health disparities. Her projects have included navigation programs for African American men, COVID-19 and housing insecurity, and lung cancer prevention for minority populations. Tune in now to hear her story on how she entered the field, how she utilized her network to expand her experiences, and how she uses her research to make an impact on community health.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-ashley-smith-mph
Join us for part two of our conversation with our newest podcast guest, Ashley Smith, MPH! Ashley is a recent graduate of UC Berkeley's MPH program and has spent the last 3.5 years as a researcher at UCSF, focusing on research projects that examine health disparities. Her projects have included navigation programs for African American men, COVID-19 and housing insecurity, and lung cancer prevention for minority populations. Tune in now to hear her story on how she entered the field, how she utilized her network to expand her experiences, and how she uses her research to make an impact on community health.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-ashley-smith-mph
Join us for a conversation with Adenike Omomukuyo, a 3rd year MPH/RD student at UC Berkeley. Through her education, Adenike became acutely aware of the invisibility many face in the world of nutrition, which motivated her to delve deeper into the intricate relationship between the body and food, and to advocate for body liberation and representation. In this episode, Nike sheds light on her path to becoming a dietician and navigating the complexities and barriers that can hinder underrepresented individuals from entering the fields of nutrition and dietetics.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-Nike-Omomukuyo
Join us for part two of our conversation with Adenike Omomukuyo, a 3rd year MPH/RD student at UC Berkeley. Through her education, Adenike became acutely aware of the invisibility many face in the world of nutrition, which motivated her to delve deeper into the intricate relationship between the body and food, and to advocate for body liberation and representation. In this episode, Nike sheds light on her path to becoming a dietician and navigating the complexities and barriers that can hinder underrepresented individuals from entering the fields of nutrition and dietetics.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-Nike-Omomukuyo
Join us for this episode with LaShyra "Lash" Nolen, a Southern California native, writer, activist, and dual-degree MD/MPP student at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is the first documented Black woman to serve as student council president at Harvard Medical School and strives to continue to dismantle systemic practices inside and outside medical institutions. In 2021, Lash founded We Got Us, a youth-led grassroots community empowerment project focused on increasing access to education and healing for marginalized communities. Join us for this enriching conversation with Lash as we explore her life story, her Fulbright adventure, and the powerful mission of her grassroots organization, We Got Us.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-lashyra-nolen
Join us for part two of our conversation with LaShyra "Lash" Nolen, a dual-degree MD/MPP student at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and the first documented Black woman to serve as student council president at Harvard Medical School. Continue listening to learn more about her life story, her Fulbright adventure, and the powerful mission of her grassroots organization, We Got Us.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-lashyra-nolen
Join us for part one of Do the Change with Brandon Phillips, MS, a second-year ergonomics student at UC Berkeley. Tune in to hear about Brandon's journey in the field and his thoughts on the importance of practical experience, creativity, and diversity in ergonomics. His journey includes a summer practicum he discovered through the power of social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), demonstrating how social media platforms can be instrumental in securing internships and connecting with others in your area of interest.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-brandon-phillips
Join us for part two of Do the Change with Brandon Phillips, MS, a second-year ergonomics student at UC Berkeley. Tune in to hear about Brandon's journey in the field and his thoughts on the importance of practical experience, creativity, and diversity in ergonomics. His journey includes a summer practicum he discovered through the power of social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), demonstrating how social media platforms can be instrumental in securing internships and connecting with others in your area of interest.
See full transcript here: https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/do-change-brandon-phillips
This is Part 2 of conversation with Makeen Yasar on his journey into the field of medicine and his deep love for community-based programs that deliver healthcare to historically marginalized communities
Join us as Makeen Yasar and host Tyra Parrish, MPH discuss Makeen's journey through the healthcare field and the challenges associated with fighting for equitable healthcare. #EquitableHealthcare
Join us as Tyra Parrish, MPH, explores Mariah's journey as a trailblazing public health professional and recent graduate of UC Berkeley's prestigious Master's of Public Health Program. Mariah shares how her passion for social change and her experience with research in reproductive health have impacted her work. Mariah and Tyra also share their insights on salary negotiation, navigating the space of public health as Black women, and creating space to exist as your authentic selves with the help of leaders who have come before. #publichealth #reproductivejustice #blackwomenpodcasts
This is Part 2 of our eye-opening conversation between Mariah Jiles, MPH, and Tyra Parrish, MPH they explore Mariah's journey as a trailblazing #publichealth professional focused on #reproductivejustice .
This episode is Part 2 of our conversation with Aldo on his love and passion for protecting workers and creating accessible information channels for workers.
Join the conversation between Tyra Parrish, MPH, and Aldo Munoz, MPH, and gain fresh perspectives on the field of Industrial Hygiene in regards to how we as future leaders can protect workers and create accessible information channels for workers. In this episode, Aldo and Tyra talked about how Aldo entered the field and how the field of IH is decades back in regards to race, ethnicity and gender and that there is lots of room for improvement.
Integrative health is a holistic approach to healthcare that aims to support health by combining conventional and complementary forms of care. As a long time social justice advocate throughout her time in UC Berkeley's School of Public Health, Camila De Pierola has always believed that social, environmental, and structural factors play an important role in the health of marginalized groups. In this episode we explore Camila de Pierola's path to medical school and the field of public health, as well as her ideas as to why an integrative approach to health is necessary.
This episode is Part 2 of our conversation with Camila on integrative health, medical school, and how we as upcoming leaders can navigate internships, compensation, and college networking.
Paige Callaghan, BMSc, discusses the field of occupational safety, health, and wellness with Audrey Lawrence, MPH.
Audrey Lawrence, MPH, serves as the Director of Safety, Health, and Wellness at the San Francisco International Airport, where she has worked for 30+ years. She manages comprehensive occupational health, industrial hygiene, and wellness programs for more than 1,500 employees at the airport, including the workers compensation program and return to work.
She graduated from the Industrial Hygiene Program at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health as a NIOSH Trainee in 1991.
Join Josh Potocko, MD, for all things occupational health! How to lead a meeting with 300 people, what working on occupational health is like for the Navy, and so much more! As a Flight Officer-turned-Aerospace & Occ Med physician with a Neuroscience background, he has unique expertise in human performance, mishap investigation, causation analysis, toxicology, injury care, public health, and policy development. This episode is one you surely don’t want to miss.
Richard Hirsh, industrial hygiene icon and Senior Director of Nektar Therapeutics joins us for an exclusive look into the world of IH! His role is far from an industrial janitor, and no, he doesn’t floss factory worker teeth. So, what could it be? Tune in to find out how you can get involved in the exciting world of industrial hygiene!
Our first Day-In-The-Life interview series is here! Meg Honan, MS, PT, CPE, talks all things ergonomics and what her role looks like in the day-to-day. Want to learn more about this exciting field and how you get involved? We are super excited to have Meg, an ergonomics legend and industry trailblazer, join our podcast to talk about the work she does, how she got into the role, and how you too can get involved in the fascinating world of ergonomics! It’s a lot more than just posture… listen now to learn how!