Elizabeth A. O'Neill, Ph.D.

Dr. Elizabeth A. O’Neill is an Assistant Professor of Industrial Technology at Buffalo State University and a Lecturer at the University at Buffalo. With over three decades of experience in safety engineering, ergonomics, and industrial systems, she has built a career that bridges academic research, professional practice, and community engagement.

Dr. O’Neill earned her Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a concentration in ergonomics from Binghamton University in 2022. She holds both M.S. and B.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering Technology from Buffalo State College, with a focus on safety studies.

Her research centers on adaptive snow sports and simulation-based teaching tools. She has published in the International Journal of Public Health and Safety and presented at major conferences including RESNA, IEOM, and ASEE. Her work explores injury prevention through ergonomic design and the use of simulators in education.

In her teaching roles, Dr. O’Neill has developed and delivered courses in ergonomics, safety management, industrial hygiene, operations management, and technical design software such as SolidWorks, REVIT, and Mastercam. She advises students on research projects and helped establish the IEOM student chapter at Buffalo State in 2021. She currently serves on the Chemical and Biological Committee and the Critical Thinking Assessment Committee.

Her professional background includes roles as an engineering consultant, industrial hygienist, production manager, and CAD assistant. She has worked with organizations such as ERM Northeast, Taylor Devices Inc., and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, contributing to safety planning, hazard identification, and remediation projects across the Northeast.

Dr. O’Neill is an active member of RESNA, IEOM, and Alpha Pi Mu, and has served on the FEMA Board for Cattaraugus County. She volunteers as an adaptive sports instructor and director of a local outreach center, and frequently speaks on community-based ministry and safety education.

Her certifications include Child Passenger Safety Technician, Hazardous Materials Responder, and OSHA HAZWOPER. She has completed FEMA Incident Command trainings and holds credentials in asbestos inspection and emergency spill response.

Passionate about community revitalization, Dr. O’Neill works with local groups to restore historic buildings and secure funding for rural development. She emphasizes collaboration among agencies to improve services for individuals facing hardship, and integrates her field experience into teaching to prepare students for real-world challenges.