University of Missouri-Rolla,
Rolla, MO: November 6, 2000 – Present
7/1/06 to Present
Union Pacific/Rocky Mountain Energy Professor of
Mining Engineering; Director, Western Mining Safety & Health
Training & Translation
Center;
Coordinator, online Master of Engineering in Mining Engineering;
and
Interim Director, Energy Research and Development Center
Teach courses in Principles of Mining Engineering, Introduction to
Mining Safety, Mine Rescue, Mine Management, Mineral Processing, Mine
Power and Drainage, Coal Mine Development and Production, Advanced
Mine Health and Safety Design, Optimization Applications in Mining,
and Expert Systems Applications in Mining at various times.
Served as Chair of the Mine Safety Technology and Training Commission,
which was an independent and multi-partite commission established by
the National Mining Association to address underground coal mines fatalities
from fires and explosions that occurred in 2006.
During the period January through July 2006, was interviewed, quoted
for and/or made appearances on over 40 media contacts on mine health
and safety issues, including TV spots with CNN, CNBC, KY3, KOLR and
Rolla TV; radio stations in Los Angeles, Dover, Rolla and a spot on
NPR; newspapers, journals and news services including New York Times,
Wall Street Journal (twice), St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,
Charleston Gazette, The Cincinnati Post, National Geographic News,
Springfield News-Leader, Scripps-Howard, Knight Ridder, Associate Press,
and others. Also appeared before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions: Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace
Safety to discuss communication and mine safety technology issues.
Managing as Director and PI a $4.02 million grant from CDC-NIOSH for
the Western U.S. Mining Safety and Health Training & Translation
Center, from September 1, 2004 for a period of 5 years. It is a consortium
with Colorado School of Mines, Montana Tech, and University of Utah.
PI on a Department of Education grant for a Graduate Assistance in
Areas of National Need Fellowship program on Energy Technology Linked
with Sound Public Policy Making, from August 15, 2004, for a period
of 3 years.
11/6/00- 6/30/06
Professor and Chair, Department of Mining & Nuclear Engineering,
School of Materials, Energy and Earth Resources (formerly
Mines and Metallurgy); Union Pacific/Rocky Mountain Energy Professor;
Director, Western U.S. Mining Safety and Health Training & Translation
Center; and Interim Director (and co-founder, through collaboration),
Energy Research and Development Center
During this period, was responsible for overall management of the
department, embracing graduate and undergraduate education and research,
faculty and staff governance, the Experimental Mine, student recruitment
and placement, the budget, fund raising, and alumni relations. For
Mining Engineering, grew enrollments from 66 undergraduate students
in FS02 to 112 undergraduate students in WS06 and from 6 graduate students
in FS02 to 14 in WS06. Co-developed the online ME program in WS02 and
grew it to a WS06 enrollment of 24. Managed a successful merger of
Mining Engineering with Nuclear Engineering over a two-year transition
period from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2006. Nuclear Engineering
had similar growth in enrollment. Facilitated an increase in research
expenditures from $657,000 in 2004 to $2.1 million in 2006.
Averaging three courses per semester, taught courses in Principles
of Mining Engineering, Introduction to Mining Safety, Mine Rescue,
Mine Management, Mineral Processing, Mine Power and Drainage, Coal
Mine Development and Production, Advanced Mine Health and Safety Design,
Optimization Applications in Mining, and Expert Systems Applications
in Mining at various times.
Served as Chair of the Mine Safety Technology and Training Commission,
which was an independent and multi-partite commission established by
the National Mining Association to address underground coal mines fatalities
from fires and explosions that occurred in 2006.
Worked collaboratively with 56 faculty members across campus to create
an Energy Interest Group, and then the Energy Research Development
Center, which was founded to enhance approximately $3.8 million of
research funding, and to focus on the integration of technology development
with key issues that need to be considered in holistic public policy
making.
Chaired the National Research Council Committee on Material Flows
Accounting of Natural Resources, Products, and Residuals between July
2002 and July 2003. The study was sponsored by the Department of Energy,
the Environmental Protection Agency, the Unites States Geological Survey,
and the National Science Foundation, and was charged with studying
the value of establishing material flows accounts, analogous to financial
accounts, to track the flows of materials and energy through the economy
to better determine holistic impacts on the economy, the environment,
ecological balances, and public health in making sound public policy.
Served as Chair of the national Mine Safety and Health Research Advisory
Committee, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, until December 23, 2006.
Served on the Executive Committee of the Board on Natural Resources
and Chair of the Section on Mineral and Energy Resources, National
Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges.
Awarded a $4.02 million grant from CDC-NIOSH to establish the Western
U.S. Mining Safety and Health Training & Translation Center, effective
September 1, 2004 for a period of 5 years. It is a consortium with
Colorado School of Mines, Montana Tech, and University of Utah.
Awarded a Department of Education grant for a Graduate Assistance
in Areas of National Need Fellowship program on Energy Technology Linked
with Sound Public Policy Making, effective August 15, 2004, for a period
of 3 years.
National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington,
D.C.: November 3,
1997 – November
3, 2000
Associate Director, Office for Mine Safety and Health
Research
Served in a Senior Biomedical Research Service position (SES equivalent)
to plan, organize, manage and facilitate the national mine health
and safety research program. Oversaw directly national mine health
and
safety research laboratories in Pittsburgh, PA, and Spokane, WA.
Managed the merger of the former U.S. Bureau of Mines laboratories
into NIOSH.
Coordinated the planning and execution of the mining research program
and other activities across all NIOSH divisions. Responsible for advising
the NIOSH director with scientific judgment on mine health and safety
issues. Coordinated NIOSH mining-related policy and publications across
the Institute.
Served as the primary NIOSH contact with the Mine Safety and Health
Administration, National Mining Association, Bituminous Coal Operators
Association, the United Mine Workers of America, and other mining associations
and labor organizations. Facilitated and developed first-time, highly
visible research partnerships among mine operators, associations, and
organized labor on sensitive issues (diesel exhaust, dust, noise, and
ergonomics). Served as the Executive Secretary of the Mine Safety and
Health Research Advisory Committee to NIOSH, responsible for coordinating
meeting agendas, minutes, and make-up of the committee.
Planned and coordinated the content of and the budget for extramural
research solicitations (grants and cooperative agreements), and monitored
progress on successful applications.
Effected a new strategic planning process for prioritizing the national
mine health and safety research agenda, coupling broad constituency
inputs with risk analyses. Focused on reaching a balance of research
to embrace the needs of miners across all commodities and mine types.
University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, MO: August
1, 1996 – October
31, 1997
7/97 - 10/97
Professor and Acting Chair, Department of Mining Engineering,
School of
Mines & Metallurgy
As Acting Chair, oversaw administrative duties of the department while
the Chair was on sabbatical. Also, taught courses in Introduction to
Mining Safety, Mine Management, Coal Mine Development and Production,
and Expert Systems Applications in Mining. Graduate student and Graduate
Seminar coordinator. Advisor to student mine rescue team.
Co-Director of the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN)
Program, funded through the U.S. Department of Education, dedicated
to Environmentally Sustainable Mineral and Energy Industries.
Performed research for the State of West Virginia, Office of Miners’ Health,
Safety and Training, Technical Review Committee, to target priorities
for mine safety interventions through analysis of the personal injury
and occupational illness records of miners.
8/96 - 7/97
Professor, Department of Mining Engineering, School of
Mines & Metallurgy
Taught courses in Coal Mine Development and Production, Rock Mechanics
I, Introduction to Mining Safety, Mine Management, and Optimization
Applications in the Mineral Industry (graduate). Graduate student and
Graduate Seminar coordinator.
Project Co-Director: Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need
(GAANN) Program through U.S. Department of Education dedicated to Environmentally-Sustainable
Mineral and Energy Industries; September 1, 1997-August 31, 2000.
Co-Principal Investigator (on a consulting basis) in the Small Mines
Assistance Center, State of West Virginia, which has been funded over
the past three years with $108,000 and has an additional $200,000 earmarked
to it.
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV: April
1984 – June
1996
7/95 - 6/96
Professor, Department of Mining Engineering, College
of Engineering & Mineral Resources; and Chair, West
Virginia State Mine Inspectors' Examining Board.
Taught two to three mining engineering courses per academic semester;
undergraduate courses included Mine Management, Mine Health and Safety,
Underground Mining Systems; graduate courses included Deterministic
Methods for Mineral Engineers, Expert Systems in Mining, Mine Production
and Cost Management, and Optimization Applications in Mining. Performed
research on the following funded research projects:
(1) A Fuzzy Logic-Based Expert Consultation System for Coalbed
Methane Control and Degasification Based on the WVU MMSS System
and Integrating the USBM METHPRO System (NRCCE and COMER; $46,000 for 2 years; as Co-PI);
(2) Phase I Implementation of the Small-Mine Assistance Center (WV OMHST, Technical Review Committee; $33,000; as Co-PI);
(3) On-Site Power Generation at the Emerald Mine Using Coal Mine
Methane (DOE-METC; $464,927 for 1.5 years; as Co-PI).
As Chairman of the West Virginia Mine Inspectors' Examining Board,
responsible for overseeing applications and written examinations of candidates
for state mine inspector, conducting oral examinations for candidates
who passed the written exam, for responding to complaints
about the process, and for conducting hearings for potential dismissal of
inspectors from their positions (when necessary).
7/91 - 6/95
Dean, College of Mineral and Energy Resources; Director,
Mining & Industrial Extension Service; Chair, State
Mine Inspectors' Examining Board; and Professor, Department
of Mining Engineering.
As dean and director, was responsible for managing the academic,
administrative, and financial functions of the College (as dean)
and Mining Industrial
Extension Service (as director), including faculty and staff governance and
development, budgeting and fiscal management, promoting research and service
activities, strategic planning, development of alumni and friends, and public
relations. In 1995, responsive to an emerging trend of hostile mergers of
mining departments across the U.S., proposed and coordinated a merger
between the
College of Engineering and the College of Mineral and Energy Resources in
order to guarantee (through the Board of Trustees) the stand-alone
integrity of the
Department of Mining Engineering and to capture the heritage of the college
in the new merged unit.
As professor, taught one or two mining engineering courses per academic semester; performed research on the following funded research projects:
(1) Remote Mining for In-Situ Waste Containment (U.S. D.O.E.;
$500,000; as Co-PI);
(2) Investigations of the Relationships Between Respirable Dust Concentrations
and Coal Seam Characteristics (USBM; $150,000;
as Co-PI);
(3) Mineralogical Identification, Sizing, and Depth Profiling of Respirable Coal Mine Dust Particles (USBM; $252,000; as PI);
(4) Flexible Automation of Underground Coal Mines (USBM; $2.3 MM;
as Co-PI);
(5) A Fuzzy Logic-Based Expert Consultation System for Coalbed Methane Control
and Degasification Based on the WVU MMSS System and Integrating the USBM METHPRO
System (NRCCE and COMER; $46,000 for 2 years; as Co-PI);
(6) Planning the Structure and Mission of a Statewide Center for
Mine Health and Safety: Addressing the Small-Mine Needs (WV OMHST
Technical Review Committee; $42,000; as Co-PI);
(7) Investigation of Countermeasures to Solve West Virginia's Small
Mines Fatality Problem (NRCCE; $24,000; as Co-PI).
As Chairman of the West Virginia Mine Inspectors' Examining Board, responsible
for overseeing applications and written examinations of
candidates for state mine inspector, conducting oral examinations for
candidates who passed the written exam, for responding to complaints
about the process, and for conducting hearings for potential dismissal of
inspectors from their positions (when necessary).
8/89 - 7/91
Associate Professor, Department of Mining Engineering.
Taught Mineral Engineering Problem Solving, Mine Management, Underground
Mining Equipment, Deterministic Methods for Mineral
Engineers, and Mine Health and Safety courses; tutored students in mathematics,
physics, and chemistry; supervised and/or conducted
research on the following sponsored projects:
(1) Mineralogical Identification, Sizing, and Depth Profiling of Respirable Coal Mine Dust Particles (USBM; $252,000; PI);
(2) Flexible Automation of Underground Coal Mines (USBM; $2.3 MM;
Co-PI);
(3) Correlation of Respirable Dust Characteristics with Coal Seams, Worker Positions, and Mining Method (USBM; $297,000; PI);
(4) Research to Formalize Occupational Training for Longwall Mining, Preparation
Plants and Haulage Jobs (USBM; $437,000; Research Associate);
(5) Coal Mine Injury Analysis: A Model for Reduction Through Training
(USBM; $220,000; Research Associate);
(6) Computer Usage and Software Applications in the Coal Industry (WVU-EWRC; $36,000; Co-PI);
(7) Formulation, Evaluation, and Verification of Respirable Dust
Sampling and Analytical Strategies (USBM; $107,000; Co-PI).
8/87 - 8/89
Assistant Professor, Department of Mining Engineering.
Taught Mineral Engineering Problem Solving, Mine Management, Mine
Health and Safety, and Deterministic Methods in Mineral Engineering courses;
established the first Mine Health and Safety Laboratory in U.S.
mining schools; tutored students in mathematics and chemistry;
supervised as principal or co-principal investigator and/or conducted
research as a research associate on the following sponsored projects:
(1) Correlation of Respirable Dust Characteristics with Coal Seams, Worker Positions, and Mining Methods (USBM; $297,000; PI);
(2) Research to Formalize Occupational Training for Longwall Mining,
Preparation Plants and Haulage Jobs (USBM; $437,000; Research Associate);
(3) Face Decision Support System for Underground Coal Mine Section
Foremen (USBM; $707,000; Research Associate);
(4) Coal Mine Injury Analysis: A Model for Reduction Through Training
(USBM; $220,000; Research Associate);
(5) Computer Usage and Software Applications in the Coal Industry (WVU-EWRC; $36,000; Co-PI);
(6) Formulation, Evaluation, and Verification of Respirable Dust Sampling and Analytical Strategies (USBM; $107,000; Co-PI).
7/86 - 8/87
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Mining Engineering.
Taught Mineral Engineering Problem Solving and Mine Management courses;
supervised and/or conducted research on three USBM-sponsored
research projects.
1/85 - 7/86
Lecturer, Department of Mining Engineering.
Taught Mine Management courses; conducted research on three USBM-
sponsored projects.
4/84 - 1/85
Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Mining Engineering.
Conducted research on the USBM project entitled Correlation of Respirable
Dust Characteristics to Coal Seams, Workers' Locations, and Mining
Methods.
LTV Steel Corporation (Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation, Lykes
Resources, Nemacolin Mines Corporation): 1975 – 1984
2/82 - 1/84
Superintendent, Nemacolin Mine and Preparation Plant,
Nemacolin, PA.
In charge of administration, planning and control of underground
and surface operations for an underground coal mine and preparation
plant
which produced 750,000 to 1,000,000 raw tons per year. The mine realized a
56% increase in sectional shift productivity, and the mining cost per ton
was reduced by $10.11 from 1982 to 1983. Grievances were reduced by one half
during the same time period. I planned, organized and implemented the first
super section in Pennsylvania at this mine.
2/81 -
2/82
Group Chief Mining Engineer, Vesta/Nemacolin Group, Raw Materials
Division, McMurray, PA.
Responsible for supervision of the engineering functions of two underground
coal mines and associated surface facilities. Both longwall and room-and-pillar, continuous mining operations were involved.
10/80 - 2/81
Mine Engineer, Vesta No. 5 Mine, Scenery Hill, PA.
In charge of the engineering function for an underground, bituminous
coal
mine; made plans and solved operational problems relating to ventilation, roof
control, subsidence, governmental compliance, longwall moves, haulage and drainage.
10/79 - 10/80
Section Foreman, Nemacolin Mine, Nemacolin, PA.
Responsible for production from an underground room-and-pillar section (development
and retreat), the health and safety of a 7-man crew, and for
compliance with state and federal coal mining laws.
3/78 - 10/79
Foreman Trainee,
Nemacolin and Vesta No. 4 Mines, McMurray, PA.
Extensively prepared for a position as an assistant mine foreman
by making detailed time studies, giving annual Part 48 refresher training
for miners and studying all aspects of state and federal mining laws.
10/75 - 3/78
Junior Mining Engineer, Nemacolin Mine, Nemacolin, PA.
Responsible for preparation of daily and monthly operations analyses,
in-
mine monthly ventilation survey, preparation of roof control, ventilation
and subsidence plans for submission to state and federal agencies, and preparation of annual and 5-year operating plans.
5/75 - 10/75
Chainman, Nemacolin
Mine, Nemacolin, PA.
Performed routine survey and map work.
2/75 - 5/75
General Laborer, UMWA, Nemacolin Mine, Nemacolin, PA.
Performed underground coal mine labor in production sections and
other
areas.
California State College, California, PA: 1972 – 1974
Student and Mathematics Tutor.
U.S. Air Force: 1965 – 1972
Personnel Technician at Pentagon, Alaska, and Texas.