Jerry Poplin, a former mine safety researcher, has relocated to Virginia to assume 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 disruption for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Spokane Research Division, where Poplin had dedicated a decade to developing the mineworker health program. The uncertainty began in April when the Trump administration issued layoff notices to employees at the Spokane division, though a subsequent federal court injunction allowed them to keep their jobs. However, many were subsequently prevented from continuing their research work.
Poplin’s transition to academia highlights the broader impact of the federal layoffs on experienced researchers. Despite securing a new position, Poplin remains connected to his former colleagues and the mission of NIOSH, expressing a willingness to support the organization’s objectives in any capacity. The Spokane Research Division, which had grown into a multidisciplinary team of experts, faced the threat of closure, prompting researchers to focus on disseminating their findings to the public while exploring alternative career paths.
A federal judge’s injunction in April allowed employees at NIOSH’s Spokane Research Division to keep their jobs after the Trump administration had issued layoff notices the previous month. Despite this legal reprieve, many researchers found themselves unable to continue their work. This situation led to a period of uncertainty for the division and its staff, prompting some, like Poplin, to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Poplin’s career at the Spokane facility spanned ten years, during which he was instrumental in developing and expanding the Mining Research Division’s mineworker health program. This program focused on a holistic approach to occupational safety and health, emphasizing not only the prevention of injuries and fatalities but also the promotion of long-term health for mineworkers. NIOSH, as the federal agency tasked with protecting American workers’ health and safety, plays a crucial role in this endeavor.
Poplin’s motivations for public service included the opportunity to contribute to accessible research findings and to collaborate directly with the mining industry. His work involved visiting mine sites to understand challenges and explore innovative technologies, which then informed research designed to address specific workplace concerns. By analyzing exposure patterns and risks associated with various equipment and environments, his team aimed to develop safer operational methods applicable across the mining sector and potentially other industries.
A key achievement of Poplin’s program was its focus on non-injurious health outcomes, aiming to ensure that mineworkers could retire with their health intact. This approach, rooted in the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act, sought to foster a workplace culture that prioritized overall wellbeing. The mining industry showed considerable receptiveness to this research, leading to extensive partnerships involving companies, trade organizations, manufacturers, academic institutions, and federal agencies, and garnering international recognition.
The Spokane team itself grew significantly under Poplin’s leadership, expanding from four members in late 2016 to a multidisciplinary branch that included epidemiologists, statisticians, engineers, industrial hygienists, and psychologists. This diverse expertise allowed the team to tackle complex occupational health issues with innovative solutions.
The layoff notices issued in April created considerable emotional distress among the staff, as they indicated the termination of positions within two months and threatened the closure of both the Spokane Mining Research Division and the Western States Division. Despite the uncertainty, the Spokane leadership provided support and information to the affected employees. During the subsequent period of limbo, researchers were restricted from travel and research activities but remained on the payroll. This led the team to prioritize packaging their research for public dissemination, anticipating the potential permanent closure of their division.
Poplin’s decision to pursue academic opportunities was influenced by the mixed emotions many researchers experienced. While they wished to resist the layoffs and advocate for their programs, the lack of clear information regarding reinstatement prompted them to consider alternative career paths. This meant simultaneously fighting for their federal positions while exploring new professional avenues.
Even after relocating to Virginia, Poplin maintains regular contact with his former colleagues. He continues to identify with the NIOSH mission and remains open to supporting its objectives, whether within or outside the federal government. While acknowledging his current position outside the federal system, Poplin has not ruled out future opportunities with NIOSH, indicating that doors remain open. The situation underscores the challenges faced by federal research divisions and the impact of workforce disruptions on dedicated public servants.
Sources
- https://www.spokanepublicradio.org/regional-news/2026-01-24/a-mine-safety-researcher-talks-about-leaving-spokane-after-federal-layoffs
