Let Us A.S.S.I.S.T. You
Meet Our People
Samir Abd El-Fatah
Executive Director; University Safety Officer; Radiation Safety Officer
View ProfileVacant: Hazardous Materials Technician
View ProfileVacant: Industrial Hygiene Specialist
View ProfileVacant: Occupational Safety Technician
View ProfileSamir Abd El-Fatah
Executive Director; University Safety Officer; Radiation Safety Officer
208-885-7208
Samir is a proud Vandal and has served the University of Idaho community since 2004. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Science in Inorganic Chemistry from Helwan University in Cairo, Egypt, where he served as a faculty of chemistry for nine years. Eager to learn, discover and experience new cultures, he traveled to Japan where he finished his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry at Kumamoto University. Afterward, he came to the U of I to do his postdoctoral work where he fell in love with Moscow and its people. After working for the U of I for several years, he decided to get a second master's in Environmental Science and Toxicology.
Having had a booth at the Moscow Farmers Market for 12 years, Samir enjoys cooking his cultural cuisine for his friends, family and community. "Seeing the joy and happiness in people's eyes when they enjoy my food is very rewarding." Also, when he and his wife are not enjoying the outdoors, they like to watch Premier League soccer on the weekends.
"The safety and wellbeing of our community members is paramount - this is our baseline at EHS." Samir takes pride in partnering with the university community members to maintain a positive safety culture to make sure they finish work and go back to their homes and loved ones safe and healthy.
Jane Westervelt
Admin Financial Specialist; Safety Training System Administrator
208-885-6524
Jane came to the University of Idaho in 1997 and worked in several departments before settling into Environmental Health and Safety in 2001. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Cal Poly Humboldt and earned a second bachelor's in psychology here at U of I. As office manager, Jane has a wide range of duties, from web site content maintenance and online safety training course production to ordering supplies and answering phones. "Even after all these years in EHS, I still get questions that haven't come up before - everyone brings a unique perspective on safety issues."
Outside of work, Jane is a non-stop maker and fiber artist. Frequently found spinning yarn for knitting or crocheting, other interests include stained glass, photography and tending to her many orchids. She derives much enjoyment in gifting her creations to others, as well as passing along her skills through teaching and giving demonstrations in a variety of venues.
Kelvin is a University of Idaho alum with a family history at U of I; his parents' first date was to an Idaho basketball game and both are also alumni. Fire and forests have always had an important place in his life and career. In the early 1990s, he worked for two seasons with the U of I logging crew. Prior to that, he fought wildland forest fires for nine seasons and was on the Wasatch and Sawtooth hotshot crews. Working in EHS since 2007, he says "the best thing about working in safety is getting to meet and work with other employees and students from all departments and colleges at the University of Idaho."
Kelvin enjoys cold weather and outdoor activities like hunting, telemark skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, logging and operating his portable sawmill in his spare time.
Mark moved to Moscow in 1983 from Minnesota to attend graduate school at the University of Idaho. While finishing his Master of Science in Chemistry, he started working at the Analytical Sciences Lab in the College of Agriculture. After graduating in 1987, and a brief move to Montana, he returned to Moscow to marry his wife and raise three boys while working in Environmental Health and Safety. "One good thing about managing the hazardous waste program is working with great people at the U of I," Mark said.
Mark enjoys fishing, photography, camping and traveling, and just spending time with family, especially his three grandchildren. Mark is also proud that he, his wife and all three children are Vandal alums!
Vacant: Hazardous Materials Technician
208-885-2883
This position is currently vacant.
Andrew has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Washington State University and gained several years of experience in the fertilizer and chemical industry prior to transitioning to Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Idaho in 2021. His favorite part of working in EHS is having the opportunity to engage with every department on campus.
Andrew also enjoys volunteering as an EMT for Moscow Volunteer Fire Department and pheasant hunting with his pudelpointer.
Vacant: Industrial Hygiene Specialist
208-885-5977
This position is currently vacant.
Drew received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Taylor University in 2016 and a Master of Science in Chemistry from Washington State University in 2019. He has been with the University of Idaho since the fall of 2020 and enjoys his time here. "I really like the challenges of this job, and I always know I can reach out to my team for support when issues arise," he says. Drew's prior work with the many labs on campus provides a solid foundation for him as the Laboratory Safety Officer.
Native Hoosiers, Drew and his wife have fallen in love with the Palouse area since moving here in 2016, and have found a community of friends to support them even as they are far from family. When he's not working, he loves cooking and gardening with his wife and toddler.
Beau has been with University of Idaho since January of 2022, after graduating with a political science degree from Boise State University. Prior to moving to Idaho, Beau spent four years in the United States Army as an explosive ordnance disposal technician, the majority of which was in Germany. In addition to providing other occupational safety services, Beau works alongside State of Idaho building inspectors to conduct the annual building safety inspections here at U of I. "The best part of my job is the variety. Getting to learn about the unique buildings here on campus has been a rewarding experience and always full of unique surprises," said Beau.
Outside of work, Beau is an avid hiker and enjoys spending the weekends in the mountains.
Vacant: Occupational Safety Technician
208-885-2937
This position is currently vacant.