I am a professor in the Mining Engineering Department, College of Science, University of Utah. I am also a licensed Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario (P.Eng.), Canada. I have 24 years of mining-focused industry experience working for consulting firms in Europe, Canada, and the US. In addition, I have 14 years of academic experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate-level mining engineering courses, while conducting research in a wide range of specialties at the Department of Mining Engineering, University of Utah (2021-Present), and at the Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Department, University of Nevada, Reno (2012-2020).

On January 1, 2021, I was hired at the rank of Professor with tenure in the Department of Mining Engineering, University of Utah. After one year, on January 1 2022, I was appointed department chair. While serving as department chair, on September 30, 2024, I was awarded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) a highly competitive 5-year and $1.25 million research project: Building Capacity in Heat Stress Management to Protect Mining Personnel Working in Deep, Hot, and Humid Underground Mines in the US. The objective of this research project is to actively engage undergraduate and graduate students to develop innovative methods and systems, which can help reduce the “heat load” in deep underground mines in the US, while protecting miners working in hot and humid environments.

On July 1, 2021, I was also appointed as the Western Mining Presidential Endowed Chair in Mine Safety, and Director of the Center for Mine Safety and Health Excellence in the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Utah. In this role, I launched a collaborative project with Minverso to develop the initial phase of a metaverse platform, which features an innovative Health & Safety training program for the mining industry using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. By integrating leading-edge technology with academic expertise, this initiative provides both students and mining professionals with a uniquely immersive learning experience in mine safety and health.

In March, 2023, I was instrumental in launching the first ever interdisciplinary Mining Safety Program in collaboration with the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational Environmental Health (RMCOEH) that will bring new perspectives in tackling tough safety and health problems in the mining industry. Classes in the Mining Safety program will be taught by faculty members from the mining engineering department, but unlike standard engineering courses, these will be geared towards a broad spectrum of students within the State of Utah with backgrounds ranging from industrial hygiene, epidemiologists, environmental health specialists and other public health workers. Funding for the Mine Safety Program is being provided by the Utah Legislature with research and development costs at $2.4M over the next 10 years ($240,000/year).

On December 31, 2024, I successfully completed my three-year term as Chair of the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Utah. Throughout this term, I made significant contributions that set the department on a path toward continued success. Highlights include launching a robust undergraduate students’ recruitment initiative; securing funding for a collaborative Mining Safety Program with the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH); reimagining and upgrading a state-of-the-art laboratory in Building 59; and adding several outstanding new faculty members to the department. While serving as Chair, I also expanded my own research program in mine ventilation, underground environment control and mine safety & health, while maintaining strong engagement in scholarly activities.

During my three-year term as department Chair, the mining engineering program experienced a 450% increase in freshman enrollment, rising from 4 first-year (freshmen) students in 2022 to 22 first-year students in 2024. This significant growth was achieved through a collaborative effort among departmental leadership, faculty, staff, students, our industry advisory board (IRB), and stakeholders from rural communities. For further details on these accomplishments, a letter from the Dean of the College of Science at the University of Utah is available upon request.

Regarding Grant Activity, since entering academia in 2012, I have secured approximately $7.8 million in externally funded research support from federal and state agencies and the mining industry. During my appointment at the University of Utah (2021–2025), the period under review, I obtained $4.5 million in competitive research funding. Prior to this, while serving at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), I secured an additional $3.3 million in external support. These funded projects have provided significant experiential learning opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students through mine-site data collection, applied research, and advanced data analytics. Student-led efforts have resulted in the development of predictive mine models that improve operational efficiency and help identify adverse and hazardous conditions in both surface and underground mining environments.

Regarding Publications, over the course of my career in both the mining industry and academia, I have published 30 journal papers, 34 peer-reviewed conference papers, and delivered more than 40 technical presentations at invited meetings and workshops. In addition, my consulting and international auditing work has involved preparing and presenting more than 30 mining-focused professional reports to mining companies, government agencies, and consulting firms in Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Regarding Service to the department, college and university I completed my 3-year term as department Chair, initiated research collaboration with mining-focused institutions in the State of Utah and world-wide (e.g., Lulea Technical university, Sweden) also while serving as Director of Graduate studies. As faculty and department chair I continually focused on supporting our undergraduate and graduate students, as follows: (1) Funded mining engineering students for research activities, mine rescue competitions, and conference participation, (2) Organized and ensured student participation in SME’s annual conferences, (3) Advised and supervised students during conference activities., (4) Arranged industry presentations to supplement students’ academic experience, (5) Provided counsel and support for various fundraising efforts. In addition, I also served on both the department’s Personnel Committee and its Tenure Committee, continually contributing to the ongoing evaluation and professional development of faculty & staff in the department.

With the mining industry in positions such as Mining Consultant, Project Leader, and Senior Research Engineer, I was involved in mine feasibility level studies, detailed mining engineering projects, and research projects in areas such as: (1) mine planning, (2) mine design, (3) ventilation system design, (4) ventilation- on-demand control systems, (5) dust control in underground mines, (6) atmospheric monitoring, (7) mine climate modeling, (8) heat stress evaluation and reduction of heat-related illnesses, (9) mine cooling systems.