He is the second interim director in recent years at the Spokane Laboratory; following the departure of John “Ros” Hill, Dr. George Conway was tapped to take over the responsibilities for what would become a two-year span. Finfinger’s appointment became effective April 17.
A 32-year veteran of conducting mine safety research for the Federal Government, Finfinger was hired directly out of school by the US Bureau of Mines (USBM) following completion of his undergraduate degree in geology. He served as research geologist, section chief, branch chief and acting deputy director for the USBM.
During the transition of the mining health and safety research programs into NIOSH, Finfinger was selected as the acting deputy director and acting director of the Pittsburgh Research Lab. He was selected as the senior scientist for the mining research program in 2000 and has held that position until his selection as the Interim Lab Director for the Spokane Research Lab.
He said that his more than three decades of research and work for NIOSH and the USBM have given him some unique opportunities. “I was part of the team that conducted the first research project that used an underground methane drainage pipeline in this country – Marianna 58 Mine back in the ‘70s.”
Finfinger’s educational background and experience draws the portrait of the perfect mining industry researcher, with a BS in geology from California University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and a PhD earned at West Virginia University in the school’s world-renowned mining engineering program.
“West Virginia University is one of the premier mining schools in the world,” he said, adding that former U.S. Bureau of Mines researcher and current WVU Department Chair Professor Syd Peng was his “educational advisor and mentor”
There are many items on his list of priorities as interim director, including building the overall research portfolio for the Spokane Research Laboratory and examining some key issues.
“We need more focus on some of the areas that I think, worldwide, we all need to be focused on – certainly the mine disaster prevention issues,” Finfinger said, adding that the specifics will include mine communication systems, risk management/assessment, mine rescue and mine rescuer training as well as trapped miner locator systems.
“I’ve already tapped some of the people out there to start taking a look at those areas,” he said.
Finfinger, who travels back and forth between Spokane and his home in Pittsburgh, said he’s open to remaining in the position for whatever time period he’s needed. “I’ll certainly stay [in Spokane] as long as I add value to the process.”
Regarding some of the new mine safety and health technologies being brought forth recently, Dr. Finfinger said there are promising innovations from what he’s seen. “Certainly, I’d say there are a number of technologies that seem to be great ideas,” adding that he also feels additional evaluation, testing and “proof of concept” are needed for the new products and technologies.
“Clearly, the importance of mine health and safety research is in the forefront. Everybody recognizes that’s there’s still a lot that needs to be done – so we have a lot to do. It’s a challenging time and it’s an exciting time [and] I’m fully convinced that we’ll make difference here within the next couple of years.”
