Fermilab Director Profiles
Martha Michels
Acting Director for ESH&Q and
Acting Head of the ESH&Q Section
As the acting Director for ESH&Q and acting Head of the ESH&Q Section, I am responsible for the management and direction of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory’s environment, safety and health programs. I ensure that ESH&Q is integrated into all activities within the line organizations in an effective and efficient manner. I assist the Directorate in assessing the resource needs and priorities of the Laboratory concerning ESH&Q. I represent the lab on ESH&Q issues with the Department of Energy, government and non-government agencies and other national laboratories.
I own the ESH&Q Management System, which establishes and maintains ESH&Q policies and procedures. I assess line organizations for compliance, and I seek and implement improvements through the various ESH&Q Subcommittees and ESH&Q line organizations. In my role as acting ESH&Q Section Head, I have line responsibility for the functioning of the Environment, Safety, Health & Quality Section.
Prior to becoming acting ESH&Q Director in 2013, I was (and still am) the Deputy Section Head for the Environment, Safety, Health & Quality Section at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. I joined the laboratory in 1990 as an intern. When I earned my degree, I went to work for the Research Division. I held a variety of ES&H positions within the Research Division which later became Particle Physics Division. I eventually worked my way up to group leader and Senior Safety Officer for the Particle Physics Division. From there I moved to the ES&H Section where I worked as the Associated Head for the Safety and Environmental Protection Group and in 2009, I became the Deputy Head of the ESHQ Section.