Introduction

The success of the NIOSH Mining Program begins with the employees who generate the research concepts, conduct and support the research, and transfer the results to industry. Since the transfer of the Mining Program from the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1997, the organization and the composition of the workforce has been changing in response to research priorities and funding limitations. This section provides comparative data for Fiscal Year 1998 (FY98), the first full year under NIOSH direction, and for Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05), the current organization.

The Mining Program is under the direction of the NIOSH Associate Director for Mining and Construction, who reports to the Director of NIOSH. The research is primarily conducted by two NIOSH divisions: the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory and the Spokane Research Laboratory.

Through attrition and restructuring, the workforce has decreased by 21 employees during this time period. This decrease has allowed us to re-direct resources in response to changing programmatic needs. Despite the overall decrease in staff, we have continued with targeted hiring. We have begun using special hiring programs, such as Research Fellows, that provide opportunities for candidates with advanced degrees in scientific areas and open the hiring to include experts from around the world.

About 74% of the current 256 employees are engineers and scientists. An additional 15% are technicians. The training and experience of the scientific staff remains diverse. The engineers come from 15 different specialty areas, and the scientists are from 26 different disciplines.

We have been increasing the emphasis on the importance of advanced scientific education while still maintaining a practical, hands-on knowledge of the industry. In FY98, about 11% of the workforce had earned PhD’s. By FY05, that number had increased to 23%. We have achieved this through hiring and by committing resources to allow current, high potential employees to return to school.

Organizational Structure    Expand All    Close All

PRL Org Chart, 03-2005 (PDF)		SRL Org Chart, 08-2005 (PDF)

NIOSH Office of the Director  Howard, John, MD, Director Porter, Diane, Deputy Director Wade, Lewis, PhD, Science Advisor Hearl, Frank J., MS PE , Chief of Staff Durst, Kelly, Associate Director for Planning and Performance Stephens, James, PhD, Associate Director for Science Lum, Max, EdD, MPA, Associate Director for Health Communications Hull, DeLon, PhD, Associate Director of Research and Technology Transfer Kohler, Jeffery L., PhD, Associate Director for Mining and Construction Schill, Anita L., PhD, Deputy Associate Director for Science Roemer, Jane, JD, Special Assistant to the Director

Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory Health Effects Laboratory Division Division of Applied Research and Technology Division of Respiratory Disease Studies Education and Information Division Division of Safety Research

Office of Mining and Construction Safety and Health Research   Kohler, Jeffrey L., PhD, Associate Director for Mining and Construction Chovanec, Marie, Secretary Finfinger, Gerald L., PhD, Senior Scientist Werner, Michael A., PhD, Senior Service Fellow

Pittsburgh Research Laboratory   Gürtunca, Güner R., PhD, Acting Director Breslin, John, PhD, Assoc. Director of Science Driscoll, Cindy, Secretary Welsh, Jeffrey H., PRL Deputy Director Disaster Prevention and Response   Brune, Jürgen F., PhD, Branch Chief Myers, Kimberly A., Office Auto. Assist Ventilation and Explosion Prevention Team Diamond, William P., Team Leader Cashdollar, Kenneth L., Res. Physicist Cusick, Brenda L., Office Auto. Clerk Garcia, Fred, Mining Engineer Grau, Roy H., Mining Engineer Green, Gregory M., Phy. Science Tech. Helfrich, Kenneth, Phy. Science Tech. Hollerich, Cynthia A., Phy. Science Tech. Karacan, Ozgen C., PhD, Senior Service Fellow Krog, Robert B., Assoc. Service Fellow Sapko, Michael, Senior Physical Scientist Schatzel, Steven J., PhD, Res. Geologist Thomas, Richard A., Electronics Tech. Ulery, James P., Res. Geologist Zlochower, Issac A., Res. Chemist Fire Prevention Team Smith, Alex C., Team Leader DeRosa, Maria I., Industrial Hygienist Edwards, John C., PhD, Res. Physicist Franks, Robert A., Electronics Engineer Friel, Gene F., Chemical Engineer Hwang, Charles C., PhD, Expert Litton, Charles D., Res. Physicist Monaghan, William D., Electrical Engineer Trevits, Michael A., Phy. Scientist Yuan, Liming, PhD, Assoc. Service Fellow Lake Lynn Lab Team Weiss, Eric S., Team Leader Goff, Frances J., Program Clerk Harteis, Samuel P., Mining Engineer Jackson, Kenneth W., Electronics Tech. Karnack, Frank A., Phy. Science Tech. Sellars, Donald D., Phy. Science Tech. Slivensky, William A., Phy. Science Tech. Emergency Response Team Lazzara, Charles P., PhD, Team Leader Chasko, Linda L., Phy. Science Tech. Jansky, Jacqueline H., Phy. Science Tech. Kowalski-Trakofler, Kathleen, PhD, Res. Psychologist Hearing Loss Prevention   Matetic, Rudy J., Branch Chief Baileys, Rita Y., Secretary Audiology Team Randolph, Robert F., Team Leader Hudak, Roberta L., Occup. Health Nurse Hudson, Arthur J., Electronics Tech. Interventions and Support Team Ingram, David K., Team Leader Babich, Daniel A., Mining Engineer Barrett, Edward A., Mining Engineer Bauer, Eric R., PhD, Mining Engineer Reeves, Efrem R., PhD, General Engineer Reinke, Dana C., Sociologist Noise Control Team Kovalchik, Peter G., Team Leader Durr, Thomas M., Computer Spec. Jurovcik, Paul, General Engineer Lamars, Joy M., Office Auto. Assist McElhinney, Pat, Phy. Science Tech. Peterson, Jeffrey S., Electrical Engineer Spencer, Ellsworth R., Mining Engineer Yantek, David S., Mechanical Engineer Mining Injury Prevention   Karra, Vijia K., PhD, Branch Chief Henning, Patricia A., Program Oper. Asst. Ergonomics Team Steiner, Lisa J., Team Leader Cook, Albert H., Engineering Tech. Gallagher, Sean, PhD, Res. Physiologist Lewis, Pauline L., Assoc. Service Fellow Matty, Timothy J., Electronics Tech. Mayton, Alan G., Mining Engineer Nelson, Maryellen T., Engineering Tech. Porter, William L., SCEP Engineer Rossi, E.William, Indust. Engineering Tech. Schwerha, Diana J., PhD, Assoc. Service Fellow Electrical Safety Team Yenchek, Michael R., Team Leader Brautigam, Albert L., Electrical Engineer Cawley, James C., Electrical Engineer Dubaniewicz, Thomas H., Electrical Engineer Duda, Frank T., PhD, Electrical Engineer Homce, Gerald T., Electrical Engineer Mowrey, Gary L., PhD, Electrical Engineer Schiffbauer, William H., Electrical Engineer Sheppard, Barbara O., Office Auto. Assist Machine Safety Team Fries, Edward F., Team Leader Ambrose, Dean H., Safety Engineer Bartels, John R., Mechanical Engineer DuCarme, Joseph P., Mechanical Engineer Jobes, Christopher C., PhD, Mechanical Engineer Lutz, Timothy J., Mechanical Engineer Sammarco, John J., PhD, Electrical Engineer Torma-Krajewski, Janet, PhD, Senior Service Fellow Wang, Richard C., Mechanical Engineer Human Factors Team Peters , Robert H., Team Leader Calhoun, Roberta A., Safety & Occup. Health Spec. Mallett, Launa G., PhD, Res. Sociologist Vaught, Charles, PhD, Res. Sociologist Wiehagen, William J., Industrial Engineer Respiratory Hazards Control   Thimons, Edward D., Branch Chief Sobeck, Berni, Program Oper. Asst. Dust Control Team Colinet, Jay F., Team Leader Beck, Timothy W., General Engineer Cecala, Andrew B., General Engineer Chekan, Gregory J., Mining Engineer Goodman, Gerrit V., PhD, Mining Engineer Joy, Gerald J., Industrial Hygienist Landen, Deborah D., MD, Medical Officer Listak, Jeffrey M., Mining Engineer Mal, Thomas T., Engineering Tech. Organiscak, John A., Mining Engineer Pollack, Douglas E., Mechanical Engineer Prokop, Alexander D., Engineering Tech. Reed, William R., PhD, Mining Engineer Rider, James P., Oper. Res. Analyst Monitoring Team Timko, Robert J., Team Leader Chilton, Joseph E., PhD, Res. Chemist Garbowsky, Calvin D., Engerineering Tech. Hall, Erica E., General Engineer Page, Steven J., Res. Physicist Taylor, Charles D., Industrial Hygienist Tuchman, Donald P., Industrial Hygienist Vanderslice, Shawn E., Engineering Tech. Vinson, Robert P., Res. Physicist Volkwein, Jon C., Phy. Scientist Zimmer, Jeanne A, Phy. Scientist Tech. Diesel Team Mischler, Steven E., Team Leader Bugarski, Aleksandar D., PhD, Mechanical Engineer Hummer, Jon A., Engineering Tech. Noll, James D., PhD, Chemist Patts, Larry D., Phy. Scientist Schnakenberg, George H., PhD, Res. Physicist Rock Safety Engineering   Tadolini, Stephen C., PhD, Acting Branch Chief Mitchell, Kimberly A., Program Oper. Asst. Geotechnical Engineering Team Iannacchione, Anthony T., PhD, Team Leader Barczak, Thomas M., Res. Physicist Batchler, Timothy J., Mechanical Engineer Dolinar, Dennis R., Mining Engineer Dwyer, David L., Engineering Tech. Esterhuizen, Gabriel S., PhD, Senior Service Fellow Gearhart, David F., Electrical Engineer Morrow, Gerald S., Electronics Tech. Prosser, Leonard J., Phy. Scientist Rock Mechanics Team Mark, Christopher, PhD, Team Leader Abruzzino, Angela M., Statistical Assistant Bajpayee, Tara S., PhD, Mining Engineer Barton, Timothy M., Mining Engineer Bhatt, Suresh K., Mining Engineer Chase, Frank E., Res. Geologist Compton, Craig S., Engineering Tech. Ellenberger, John L., Res. Geophysicist Marshall, John K., Electronics Tech. Molinda, Gregory M., Res. Geologist Opfer, Donna M., Office Auto. Assist Oyler, David C., Mechanical Engineer Pappas, Deno M., Civil Engineer Robertson, Susan B., Mining Engineer Zipf, Richard K., PhD, Mining Engineer Explosives Team Mainiero, Richard J., PhD, Team Leader Harris, Marcia L., Chemical Engineer Minda, Cheryl A., Correspondence Clerk Mytrysak, Cynthia A., Logistics Manag. Spec. Rowland, James H., Res. Physicist Sobeck, Richard L., Phy. Science Tech. Surveillance and Research Support   Niezgoda, Karen A, Branch Chief Gramm, Noreen, Secretary Surveillance and Statistics Team McWilliams, Linda J., Team Leader Fotta, Barbara, Res. Methodologist Lenart, Patricia J., IT Specialist McConnell, Gail, Public Health Advisor McHugh-Pemu, Kathleen P., Epidemiologist (trainee) Podlesny, Audrey, Statistical Assistant Health and Safety Communication Team Brnich, Michael J., Team Leader Caruso, David, Health Comm. Fellow Tuchman, Robert J., Writer-Editor Research Support Team Fulton, Barbara J., Office Auto. Assist. Pascoe-Conteen, Andrea, Administrative Officer Computational Research Team Cole, Gregory P., Team Leader Carilli, Angela M., Computer Assistant Glowacki, Audrey F., Computer Scientist Kwitowski, August J., Civil Engineer Unger, Richard L., Safety Engineer Spokane Research Laboratory   Conway, George A., MD, Acting Director Blake, Thelma J., Budget Technician Durheim, Roger M., Engineering Tech. Harnasch, Leota L., Information Recep. Hawley, Nadine R., Sec. Office Automation Hill, John RM, Mining Engineer Jenkins, F.Michael, Acting Deputy Director Leszcykowski, Sheila A., Office Auto. Clerk Mollison, Kelli P., Acting Program Analyst Parker, Raymond, Supply Clerk Stapleton, Brian P., Phy. Science Tech. Takeuchi, Carolyn C., Librarian Health Hazards Control   Boldt, Christine M.K., PhD, Branch Chief Bevan, John E., Mechanical Engineer Camm, Thomas W., PhD, Mining Engineer Drake, Pamela L., Res. Chemist Girard-Dwyer, Jami, Mining Engineer Habjan, Matthew C., Phy. Science Tech. Hintz, Patrick J., Industrial Hygienist King, Grant W., Mechanical Engineer Kittusamy, N. Kumar, Biomedical Engineer Marcy, Allen D., PhD, Chemist May , Ian B., Computer Spec. McCann, Daniel J., PhD, Physiologist McKibbin, Robert W., Mining Engineer Miller, Arthur L., PhD, Mechanical Engineer Miller, Richard E., Mechanical Engineer Orr, Timothy J., Computer Engineer Pierce, Paul A., Phy. Scientist Scott, Douglas F., Geologist Varley, Floyd D., Safety Engineer Woodward, Chelsea C., Engineering Tech. Safety Engineering Research   Signer, Stephen P., Acting Branch Chief Beus, Michael J., Mining Engineer Brady, Thomas M., Phy. Scientist Burrow, Linda R., Sec. Office Automation Clark, Curtis C., Mechanical Engineer Dunford, John P., Mining Engineer Howie, Wayne L., Electronics Tech. Hustrulid, William, PhD, Mining Engineer Iverson, Steven R., Mining Engineer Joggerst, Phillip, Mining Engineer Johnson, Jeffrey C., Mining Engineer Jones, Frederick M., Engineering Tech. Larson, Mark K., PhD, Mining Engineer MacLaughlin, Mary , PhD, Mining Engineer Martin, Lewis A., Mechanical Engineer McHugh , Edward L., Phy. Scientist Miller, Gregory G., Mechanical Engineer Miller, Hugh, PhD, Mining Engineer Owens, John K., Mechanical Engineer Pakalnis, Rimas, PhD, Mining Engineer Rains, Richard L., Geologist Ruff, Todd M., Electrical Engineer Seymour, Joseph B., Mining Engineer Stewart, Bill M., Mining Engineer Sunderman, Carl B., Electrical Engineer Swanson, Peter L., PhD, Geophysicist Tesarik, Douglas R., Mechanical Engineer Warneke, Joel R., PhD, Mining Eng. Res. Fellow Whyatt, Jeffrey K., PhD, Mining Engineer Williams, Theodore J., Mining Engineer Zahl, Eric G., Civil Engineer Mining Surveillance and Statistical Support   Coleman, Patrick J., PhD, Activity Chief Kerkering, John C., Mathematician Lowe, Nathan T., Phy. Scientist Martini, Laura A., Statistical Assistant Pickett, Candace M., Sec. Office Automation Extramural Coord. and Information Dissem.   Cullen, Elaine T., PhD, Activity Chief Kissler, Lance D., Tech. Info. Spec. (Trainee) Matthews, Lori N., Program Analyst (Trainee) Ostendorf, Christopher W., Visual Info. Spec. Strunk, Kenneth W., Engr. Draftsman Teske, Theodore D., Information Spec. Wopat, Priscilla F., Tech. Pubs. Editor

Personnel Types

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Personnel Types 1998 and 2005

Engineering Speciality

Click the chart icon for a larger chart Personnel Breakdown by Engineering Specialty

Scientific Speciality

Click the chart icon for a larger chart Personnel Breakdown by Scientific Specialty

Education Levels

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Highest Education Attained 1998 and 2005