Background
Freire, Olival was born on February 2, 1954 in Jequié, Bahia, Brazil. Son of Olival Figueredo and Maria Antonieta Andrade (Ribeiro) Freire.
physics educator science historian
Freire, Olival was born on February 2, 1954 in Jequié, Bahia, Brazil. Son of Olival Figueredo and Maria Antonieta Andrade (Ribeiro) Freire.
He wrote his masters thesis with Amelia Hambuger on interpretations of quantum physics, in particular the interpretation by Vladimir Fock, and subsequently wrote his Doctor of Philosophy thesis with Michel Paty and Shozo Montoyama on David Bohm"s approach to quantum mechanics.
He is Full Professor of Physics and History of Physics at the Universidade Federal da Bahia, former president of the Brazilian Society for the History of Science and president of the Commission for the History of Modern Physics, International Union of History and Philosophy of Science. After studying electrical engineering for a year and a half at the Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA). Subsequently, impressed by the lectures of physicist Benedito Pepe, he switched to physics.
He worked as post-doctoral researcher at the Université Paris VII, at Harvard University, and subsequently at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also president of the Brazilian Society for the History of Science and vice-president of the Commission for the History of Modern Physics, International Union of History and Philosophy of Science.
His current research covers especially also the history of science in Brazil.
Director Teachers Union, Salvador, 1981-1983, Communist Party, São Paulo, 1988-1992. Mayor assistant Town Hall, Camaçari, Brazil, 1986-1987. Member British Society History of Science, Brazilian Society Physics, Brazilian Society History of Science.
Married Sandra Regina Soares, November 25, 1978 (divorced October 1986). 1 child, Vitor Soares. Married Ana Angelica Marinho Rodrigues, March 27, 1996.