The Office of Research Services (ORS) is pleased to introduce the new Director of the Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS), Dr. Jessica McCormick-Ell, who started on April 27. As the new director, she will be responsible for overseeing the important work DOHS does, from ensuring the safety of our laboratories and work environments to providing occupational health services such as the Occupational Medical Service and Employee Assistance Program.
Dr. McCormick-Ell joins us from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, where she served as the University Biosafety Officer and Responsible Official. She is a microbiologist and biosafety professional with a Ph.D. in microbiology and molecular genetics from Rutgers University. She earned her Registered Biosafety Professional Certification from ABSA International in 2010, directly after her graduate work, in part to her research technician experience in biosafety level 3 management, and the creation of the high containment and select agent program at what was then the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers). In 2015, she passed the examination and became a specialist microbiologist with the National Certified Registry of Microbiologists through the American Society for Microbiology and shortly afterwards earned her credential as a Certified Biosafety Professional from ABSA International. She has hands on experience in biomedical, environmental and clinical microbiology research and teaching laboratories, and as an adjunct professor with experience translating her knowledge to the teaching environment. As the Manager of the Biosafety Program and the Responsible Official for Rutgers, in addition to her bench experience in these areas, she has experience in applying biosafety and biosecurity principles to all areas, including current, emerging technologies in bioengineering and chemistry.
Her major accomplishments at Rutgers include: streamlining and combining high containment program requirements; continued implementation and maintenance of a Tier 1 select agent program through several organizational changes; creating and modifying biosafety and biosecurity related policies and resource documents; streamlining the hazard review process for animal care and use protocols; creating guidelines, faculty resources, and practices for general health and safety compliance in conjunction with the Rutgers Office of Research; developing a biosafety oversight program for teaching laboratories and all clinical sites; assisting researchers with permits and external regulatory inspections; and continuing to build a strong, cohesive biosafety program across Rutgers University.
ORS is grateful for CAPT Derek Newcomer's hard work and capable leadership as the Acting Director during these last several years. His guidance, leadership and overall professional nature has been extremely valuable to DOHS, and to ORS as a whole. He will continue to serve DOHS as the Deputy Director.
Dr. McCormick-Ell joins us at a unique, challenging time, when DOHS' work is at the forefront of NIH efforts to protect our workforce from COVID-19. From running a call center to answer employee questions, to managing a testing site for our employees, to providing expert advice on keeping staff and workspaces safe, DOHS plays a huge part in promoting our community's safety and health. We hope you will all give her a warm welcome (at a distance of 6 feet or more!) and support her during her transition.
