Michaels is an epidemiologist and is currently a research professor at the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, according to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s eDigest & Washington Watch. He has conducted numerous studies of the health effects of occupational exposure to toxic chemicals, including asbestos, metals and solvents, and has written extensively on science and regulatory policy.

From 1998 to 2001, Michaels served as assistant secretary of energy for Environment, Safety and Health, where he was responsible for protecting the health and safety of workers, neighboring communities, and the environment surrounding the nation’s nuclear weapons facilities.