Lewis V. Wade Named New Associate Director for Mine Safety, Health Research at NIOSH

December 5, 2000

Contact: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH)
Fred Blosser, Media Relations (202)401-3749

Lewis V. Wade, Ph.D., a structural engineer and government administrator with extensive experience in mine and geologic research management, was named the new Associate Director for Mine Safety and Health Research at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Wade began his new duties November 6.

As Associate Director, Dr. Wade oversees the national research program conducted by NIOSH’s mine safety and health research laboratories in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Spokane, Wash. NIOSH conducts state of the art research to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths in mining, including studies on new technologies for anticipating and preventing mine roof collapses, preventing fires and explosions, preventing hazardous contact with heavy machinery and vehicles, and controlling exposures to hazardous dusts. NIOSH also works closely with diverse partners in labor, industry, and government to advance national research on mine safety and health.

Before joining NIOSH, Dr. Wade served concurrently as Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Information in the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and as the Senior Executive for USGS’ Yucca Mountain Project. Before that, he was Research Director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines (BOM) Twin Cities Research Center and Deputy Research Director of the BOM Pittsburgh Research Center. The Pittsburgh Research Center was transferred to NIOSH as the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory when BOM was terminated in 1997.

Dr. Wade holds a Ph.D. in structural engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. He has twice received the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive. He also received the Presidential Design Award for design of the mine roof simulator at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, a unique computerized system used for research to prevent mine roof collapses.

Dr. Wade succeeds Dr. Larry Grayson, the first NIOSH Associate Director for Mine Safety and Health Research, who left NIOSH to join the University of Missouri at Rolla as Chair of the Department of Mining Engineering and Union Pacific/Rocky Mountain Energy Professor.

For more information on NIOSH research, contact the NIOSH toll-free information number, 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) or visit NIOSH on the Web at www.cdc.gov/niosh.