About
This project aims to conduct a comparative analysis of human movement variables in Chilean wildland firefighters (WLFFs), measured using two different devices. The student will handle and analyze a subset of the collected data. The overarching goal of this project is to evaluate the impact of environmental conditions on physiological workload during wildfire suppression in Chile.
While the project includes various phases such as conducting a survey on last season’s wildfire activities and collecting real-time physiological and environmental data the student will focus on analyzing the relationship between data obtained from two wearable devices: Slate Safety and ActiPal. These devices collect information on movement and physical exertion, such as energy expenditure in kilocalories per minute and steps per minute, among other variables.
We are currently in the data collection phase, and by June, we expect to have information available from approximately 150 WLFFs. Through the student’s data organization and analysis, we aim to better understand the relationship between the two devices and validate our findings.
Note: This internship not take place in Chile. The internship will be at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, and at the UCSF/UCB Human Factors and Ergonomics Lab at the Richmond Field Station.
The internship will have a co-mentor. Javier Freire, PhD candidate at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. He is also a profesor at the Universidad de Concepción in Chile.
Required Skills:
To effectively organize and analyze the data, the student should have proficiency in software tools like Python or MATLAB, which will streamline and structure the analyses. Additionally, the student is expected to demonstrate the following skills:
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Research Skills: Ability to review and synthesize scientific literature on occupational heat stress, environmental health, and human movement.
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Communication: Proficiency in presenting results effectively through oral presentations, written reports, and posters.
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Collaboration: Capacity to work within a multidisciplinary research team.
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Independence: Motivation to complete assigned tasks independently and meet deadlines.
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Critical Thinking: Skills to address challenges in data collection, processing, and interpretation.
Learning Opportunities:
Throughout the internship, the student will gain knowledge and develop specific skills, including:
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Understanding environmental factors (e.g., heat, humidity, air quality) and physiological responses (e.g., heart rate, core temperature, sweat rate) related to heat stress in wildland firefighters.
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Recognizing the importance of heat stress prevention for worker health, safety, and productivity.
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Summarizing findings and creating presentations that highlight key patterns and actionable insights to improve work conditions.
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Designing clear and impactful visualizations to communicate fieldwork results.
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Presenting insights to the UC Ergonomics Research Team.
