Jerry Poplin, a former mine safety researcher at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Spokane, has relocated to Virginia and taken on a new role as Associate Dean for Research at the Joint School of Public Health, a collaboration between Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University. This move follows a period of significant workforce reduction at the Spokane Research Division, where Poplin had led a program focused on protecting miners’ health and well-being. The Spokane Public Radio article detailing these events was published on January 24, 2026 1.
The situation began in April when the Trump administration issued termination notices to numerous employees at the Spokane Research Division of NIOSH. Although a federal court later issued an injunction allowing these employees to keep their jobs, many were prevented from continuing their research activities. The government subsequently announced that some employees would be reinstated, but the prolonged uncertainty led many researchers, including Poplin, to seek employment elsewhere 1.
Poplin spent nine years at the Spokane facility developing and managing a research program aimed at safeguarding miners’ health across the United States. NIOSH, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary federal agency dedicated to worker health and safety. Poplin’s work emphasized not only preventing immediate injuries and fatalities but also fostering workplace environments that would allow miners to maintain their health throughout their careers and retire with full physical function. This distinction between safety and health, rooted in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, was central to his research approach.
During Poplin’s tenure, the Spokane team grew substantially. Starting with just four members in late 2016, the division evolved into a multidisciplinary unit comprising epidemiologists, statisticians, engineers, industrial hygienists, and psychologists. This diverse expertise allowed the team to tackle complex occupational health issues with innovative solutions. The program garnered positive responses from the mining industry, with approximately 180 individuals from various sectors—mining organizations, trade associations, manufacturers, academic institutions, and federal agencies—participating in the miner health program by the time of Poplin’s departure 1.
Poplin highlighted the significant return on investment that NIOSH’s research provides to taxpayers. By reducing workplace injuries and improving employee retention, the agency’s work generates financial savings for employers and enables employees to extend their working careers. NIOSH operates largely behind the scenes but wields considerable influence within governmental and industrial circles.
The arrival of layoff notices in April created significant emotional turmoil for the entire division. The initial notices indicated that positions would be terminated within two months, threatening the closure of both the Spokane Mining Research Division and the Western States Division housed in the same facility, impacting all employees except Commissioned Corps officers. In the ensuing months of uncertainty, the Spokane team demonstrated remarkable dedication, working to package and preserve their research for public access to prevent the loss of years of valuable work should the division cease operations. This effort underscored the team’s commitment to public service and the broader occupational health mission 1.
During this period, Poplin pursued a dual strategy: advocating for the division’s continuation while simultaneously exploring alternative career paths. The lack of clarity regarding potential reinstatement made this approach necessary, despite his preference to remain in federal service. His relocation to Virginia marks a significant transition into academia, where he now contributes to public health research through his leadership role at Old Dominion University and Norfolk State University 1.
Despite the geographical move, Poplin maintains close contact with his former colleagues through regular communication. He continues to feel a strong connection to the NIOSH mission and has expressed his willingness to support the organization’s work in any capacity possible, whether within or outside of government. While he has not entirely ruled out a return to federal employment, he acknowledges the inherent unpredictability of such circumstances and remains open to future possibilities. Poplin’s experience sheds light on broader concerns regarding the stability of the federal workforce and the critical need to preserve institutional knowledge during times of organizational change 1.
Sources
- https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2026-01-24/a-mine-safety-researcher-talks-about-leaving-spokane-after-federal-layoffs
