Employee Spotlight: Melinda Pham

Research Associate, Melinda Pham, is the leading scientist for customer-based laboratory testing for REGENESIS® environmental remediation projects. Melinda joined the REGENESIS team in October of 2013 to help establish and standardize laboratory testing for clients. Her primary duties include constructing and performing laboratory experiments to demonstrate technology performance under simulated site conditions and aiding customers with technical assistance. Since joining the company, she has participated in numerous projects supporting field sales and the Research and Development team (R&D). Most recently, Melinda demonstrated that the pesticide pentachlorophenol (PCP) can be treated with PersulfOx®, which could aid the wood treating industry in solving legacy environmental issues.

From an early age, the sciences have been Melinda’s passion. In high school, an eccentric chemistry teacher encouraged her to stretch her skills as a chemist and eventually inspired her to pursue chemistry as a college major. Melinda attended the University of California, Irvine and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. She continued her education at Pennsylvania State University, receiving a Master’s of Science in Forensic Chemistry. Her thesis focused on anthropological contamination, identifying the origins of contaminants and monitoring their transport through the environment. Melinda’s time at Penn State broadened her awareness of environmental issues and focused her interest on positive global change.

A typical day at REGENESIS for Melinda includes conducting routine laboratory tests for clients; such as oxidant demand or treatability tests with REGENESIS’ technologies. She also routinely answers incoming technical questions from clients. Commonly, these questions are regarding the chemistry occurring on their treated site, and whether factors such as pH or salinity levels might impact a remediation outcome. Melinda also serves as a resource in supporting efforts to determine which REGENESIS technologies are most effective based on field conditions present.

When asked about her role at REGENESIS, Melinda stated “It’s motivating to be surrounded by people with a common goal. It means a great deal to work at an ethical company with people you respect. It’s a business, but at the end-of-the-day we want to leave a better world for future generations.”

Melinda continues, “Working at REGENESIS, helps me realize how many roles are involved in the process. For example, environmental consultants, field technicians, scientists, and manufacturers are all needed to accomplish our goal. In a broad sense, this affects my view of the world; it demonstrates we are all connected to some degree. We all need to perform our part so that the overall goal is accomplished.”

In her free time, Melinda enjoys playing the piano, pilates, and participating in interactive, life-size puzzles called ‘escape rooms’ – a group activity where participants must work together to solve puzzles and riddles to escape the room they are locked in.

REGENESIS is pleased to have Melinda Pham as part of the Research and Development team where her contributions are of continued benefit to the company and clients she serves.