Client Spotlight: Sophia Dore, PhD, Senior Scientist at GHD

Like most, Senior Scientist Sophia Dore, PhD grew up reading and listening to Dr. Seuss stories. But little did she know how one story in particular would make an indelible impression on her, and eventually inspire her to pursue a career in environmental remediation. Dore begins, “When I was a young child my parents read me Dr. Seuss’ ‘The Lorax,’ a light-hearted but cautionary tale with a critically important message that encourages us to collectively take responsibility for the stewardship of the environment. Ever since, I have always been passionate about preventing and cleaning up pollution. Later, while sitting in a biotechnology class at Brock University, my professor mentioned the science behind bioremediation. I remember writing it down in my notebook and putting circles and stars around it. It was the first time I had heard of it, but I knew then I wanted to pursue a career in bioremediation and environmental remediation.” Fast-forward years later, and Dore finds herself still enjoying what she aspired to as a child. She continues, “I started working at Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) in 2002. CRA later merged with GHD so I have been working at CRA/GHD for almost 20 years.”

In her current role with GHD, Dore is responsible for designing, supervising and interpreting treatability studies, writing various treatability study reports, assisting project managers with reviewing options for remedial activities, and providing assessments of various options. Additionally, she develops conceptual designs and costs allowing project managers and their clients options for selecting technologies best suited for the site and their goals. “I also review data from existing treatments and provide project managers with input as to how well these treatments are working, and what can be done to optimize performance.”

To prepare for a career in environmental remediation, Dore earned her BSc (hons) in Chemistry/Biotechnology at Brock University in St. Catharines Ontario, which is the university where both her parents worked at the time. She then went on to earn her PhD at the University of Notre Dame in Environmental Microbiology. “I think I learned almost as much about football at Notre Dame as I did about biology!” To stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technology, she participates regularly in webinars such as the REGENESIS Webinar series and attends industry-related conferences. When asked what she enjoys most about her work, making a contribution towards improving our planet for future generations tops her list. She explains, “I feel I am making a meaningful contribution to making the world a better place. When I participate in a project that takes contaminated land or water and cleans it up, and restores it to how it can be and should be, I feel a significant sense of accomplishment.”

What does she consider the most challenging aspect of her work? “Juggling  multiple projects at the same time while remembering the key aspects of each, without mixing them up is always a challenge. However, on the positive side, I like that my work is varied, which allows me to manage many different projects in different parts of the world, each with different problems, goals and circumstances.  It keeps me on my toes! I also appreciate working with great people- our lab staff at GHD are the best!”

When it comes to REGENESIS, Dore says she appreciates the company’s diverse range of solutions, superior service and support. She continues, “REGENESIS has useful and innovative products that solve a lot of problems, and their products are backed with very helpful, knowledgeable people who are only a phone call or email away. They’re always ready to trouble shoot and advise- it really makes my job easier.” RegenOx® is just one product that Dore has had success with recently, while working on a site in Australia, where there was high groundwater flow near a river. She continues, “Because RegenOx does not break down into anything that could be a problem for surface water, it was the only oxidant that could work in this situation. I was also involved with a project recently where we injected PlumeStop®, S-MicroZVI™ and HRC® at a site in Canada.  It is very interesting to see the different mechanisms (sorption/abiotic breakdown/biodegradation) all working together. Lately we have been looking at PetroFix®.  It is great for projects where you want to prevent migration very quickly because the online design tool lets you figure out how much you need and you can order it within a short period of time.”

Currently working out of her her home-office, where she lives with her husband and daughter, Dore finds time outside of work to enjoy several outdoor activities but spends much of her free time volunteering at her daughter’s figure skating club. She shares, “My daughter is passionate about figure skating and her skating club runs on ‘parent power’, so I am involved with helping out at the rink a lot. Outside of her skating club, for the past couple of years I have coordinated our office’s Adopt-a-Family program at Christmas, where we ‘adopt’ needy families from the area and provide gifts and a grocery gift card.” When asked how she’s seen the environmental industry change over the years, she feels there has been in increased focus in three key areas. “I’ve noticed a greater emphasis on sustainability, in-situ treatment and risk assessment. In my view, it’s great to not have to dig something up or pump it out, if it does more harm than good. I’ve also seen greater diversity and inclusion in the workforce.”

And how would she encourage others to join her field of study? She concludes, “If someone has an interest in the environment, this field offers a wide variety of work with something new and different every day- where you are always learning and feeling that you are making a positive contribution. The environmental field can be very rewarding.”

REGENESIS is proud to have GHD Senior Scientist, Sophia Dore, PhD , as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and they appreciate her expertise and approach in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.