Erik has over 30 years of experience in the HSE profession. Prior to KAUST, he served as Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Director of EHS at Weill Cornell Medical College and Graduate School of Medical Sciences, both in New York City. In these roles, he oversaw all aspects of safety and environmental management for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Services included fire and life safety, health physics, occupational safety, laboratory safety, emergency management and business continuity, environment of care, and hazardous material management. Erik has extensive experience planning for and responding to crisis situations, including hurricanes, power outages, fires, pandemics and hazardous material incidents.

At KAUST, he leads the strategic direction and delivery of all HSE programs across the campus, research park, and broader KAUST community. He is responsible for shaping a proactive and risk-based HSE culture that supports KAUST’s mission in science and innovation, while protecting people, the environment, and assets. His portfolio includes emergency management and preparedness, fire services and life safety, community and road safety, research and laboratory safety, construction safety, hazardous materials and environmental management, occupational health, and biodiversity. He also plays a key role in institutional risk governance and resilience planning.