Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
Search
            ×
                        Mining
                        Mining
                            NIOSH
                            All CDC
                    Submit
                For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
                Advanced Search
            Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Mining Feature: Douglas Johns, M.S., Ph.D., Selected as New Director of Spokane Mining Research Division
Keywords: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Monday, September 30, 2019
Dr. Johns poses with group at a stop of NIOSH's Coal Worker Health Surveillance Program black lung screening mobile unit.Dr. Johns (center) visits with NIOSH employees and a representative of Sen. Joe Manchin's staff at an August 2017 tour stop of NIOSH's Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program black lung screening mobile unit in Morgantown, WV.
On September 29, 2019, Douglas Johns, M.S., Ph.D., became the Director of the Spokane Mining Research Division (SMRD) of the NIOSH Mining Program.
With his extensive background addressing environmental and work-related respiratory hazards, Dr. Johns said he is “excited to focus on the mission of SMRD to ensure the health and safety of miners.”
Dr. Johns is no stranger to the mission of NIOSH, as he was previously the Deputy Director of NIOSH’s Respiratory Health Division in Morgantown, WV. He served seven years with the division working with industry, academia, and government to track, address, and communicate work-related respiratory hazards. A noted top responsibility included oversight of the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program, which provides free black lung screenings for coal miners.
Dedicated to excellence at NIOSH, Dr. Johns has taken on other service and leadership roles within the Institute, including a near seven-year tenure as a member of the CDC/NIOSH Institutional Review Board (IRB) in addition to serving for more than five years as the Chair of the CDC/NIOSH Long-Term Training Committee.
“I’m excited to learn more about mining as an industry. My background is in human health risk assessment, so I look forward to working on NIOSH’s new Miner Health Program, but am just as interested to learn about and support the safety and engineering components,” he said.
Dr. Johns with other NIOSH leaders visit a molybdenum mine.Dr. Johns (far right) visits a molybdenum mine with other NIOSH leaders.
In his new position, Dr. Johns would like to continue to guide SMRD’s health and safety research efforts in a way “where we do not just point out problems, but where we can offer solutions.” He notes that he sees numerous opportunities to work collaboratively with the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division, academia, other NIOSH programs, and other federal agencies.
“I want to make sure we focus our efforts in areas that will maximize impact and ensure our staff recognize the importance of our work,” he said.
Before beginning his career with NIOSH, Dr. Johns worked as a Senior Health Scientist, Team Lead, and Branch Chief with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Office of Research and Development. His previous research and scientific assessments were used to inform conclusions related to the causal nature of the relationships between exposure to air pollution and various health outcomes, and have formed the scientific foundation for the reviews of the U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Dr. Johns with other senior federal scientists who collaborated to develop a strategic research plan.Dr. Johns (second from left) with other senior federal scientists who collaborated to develop a strategic research plan for a new EPA research program.
In addition to serving as a lead author on a number of scientific assessments designated by the EPA as highly influential, Dr. Johns has also authored 27 high-impact peer-reviewed journal articles and invited book chapters with a major emphasis on assessing the risk of exposure to environmental and occupational hazards. He has received many awards in recognition of his outstanding scientific contributions, including several U.S. EPA Bronze Medals and one Gold Medal, and has also been honored for providing practical support to governmental program and regional offices. In his role as a scientist and administrator, Dr. Johns has been invited by universities, government agencies, and other organizations to present on scientific topics and programmatic leadership to a variety of audiences. This scholarly work in combination with his other accomplishments highlight his expertise in the human response to respirable mine dust and inhalation exposure.
Originally intending to become a medical doctor, Dr. Johns attended Utah State University as an undergraduate studying environmental biology. After realizing that he was fascinated by the science underlying the field of medicine but did not have a desire to be a practicing physician, he decided to pursue graduate studies in Public Health, earning an M.S. in environmental health and a Ph.D. in environmental and occupational hygiene from the University of Washington. His early scientific investigations involved human subjects research, conducting and assessing exposures to low levels of common air pollutants to advance the science of biomonitoring for both exposure and effect.
Dr. Johns and his wife, a labor and delivery nurse, have a daughter and a son who both attend Utah State University on full scholarships as a result of earning National Merit Finalists honors. Originally from Idaho, Dr. Johns is excited to be back in the Northwest and closer to family.
Dr. Johns with his family on a bicycle trip to the western fjords of Norway.Dr. Johns and his family on a bicycle tour in the western fjords of Norway in May 2019.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Johns clears his mind by running in his free time. While he does run, he makes the distinction that he does not consider himself a runner, as he does not love it. In his younger years, he ran as a way to stay in shape for basketball in junior high and high school. He now competes in 5K and 10K races and periodically challenges himself with longer distances. Just one week prior to starting his new position, Dr. Johns ran the Morgantown Half-Marathon—his first race at that distance—on Sept. 22 before hopping in the car to start his drive west.
Despite his complicated relationship with running, Dr. Johns says he continues to put on the miles because each one is worth it. In a way, he keeps running for the same reason he accepted the position as Director: “I love to learn and take on new challenges.”
Dr. Johns took on his new role as the Director of the Spokane Mining Research Division from Todd Ruff, who shifted his focus to become SMRD’s Associate Director for Science. Mr. Ruff will devote his time and expertise to further establish the emerging technologies research program.
See Also
Coal Mine Safety Achievements in the USA and the Contribution of NIOSH Research
NIOSH Hazard ID 4 - Ignition Hazard from Drilling into Sealed Frames of Agricultural Equipment
NIOSH Mining Update - New Publications 1995-96
Noise Source Identification on a Horizontal Vibrating Screen
Origin of Mining-Induced Fractures Through Macroscale Distortion
Performance of a Light-scattering Dust Monitor in Underground Mines
Proceedings: New Technology for Ground Control in Retreat Mining
A Summary of U.S. Mine Fire Research
Technology News 473 - The Explosion Hazard From Hydrogen Gas Generation Inside Sealed Frames
USBM Health and Safety Legacy Continues Under NIOSH
Page last reviewed: September 27, 2019
Page last updated: September 27, 2019
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate Mining
        Site BrowserSafety and Health TopicsData & StatisticsMethodologyMine DisastersMSHA Data FilesMine & Mineworker ChartsTools & PublicationsTools You Can UsePublicationsNews & ArticlesResearch ProgramNORA Mining CouncilStrategic PlanMining Program, 2019-2023Miner Health Program, 2020-2030ProjectsContractsFunding OpportunitiesMining LinksAbout UsContact NIOSH MiningEmploymentFacilitiesHistoryVisitor Information NIOSH Homepage
 NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue