Matrix New World Engineering Vice President Draws Much-Needed Attention To Environmental Sustainability
Dr. Laurie LaPat-Polasko discusses important issues that impact our planet.
- Newark, NJ (1888PressRelease) February 05, 2021 - Dr. Laurie LaPat-Polasko, Vice President/National Director of Remediation, Matrix New World Engineering (Matrix), was featured in SWE Magazine in a recent article, “Women Engineers Work to Restore the Soil, Water, and Skies” where she offered insight on environmental sustainability matters and how to combat the damage caused by chemical pollution.
Laurie LaPat-Polasko, Ph.D., specializes in environmental engineering and microbiology, developing sustainable ways to biodegrade the contaminants. To address chemical pollution, she suggested “To get microbes to biodegrade a contaminant, we need to understand what’s critical to their environment that will let them perform certain metabolic reactions.”
She continued, “Biochemistry and enzymes decide whether something can be biodegraded. But a lot of contaminated sites lack some of the major nutrients that allow bacteria to biodegrade substances. Just like we need nitrogen and phosphorus to make our ATP enzymes, bacteria needs the same key nutrients.”
Dr. LaPat-Polasko, Ph.D.’s goal is to efficiently cleanup sites with sustainable and green remediation by identifying if microorganisms in the native environment can biodegrade the contaminants. “As time goes on, we’ve realized that bacteria, fungus, and microbes have a lot more power than we knew. We’re getting much better at harnessing their abilities. Everybody said we could never degrade PFACs. They said the same thing 30 years ago about chlorinated solvents, and now I do in situ bioremediation of trichloroethylene all the time. Over time, we’re getting better and smarter.”
To read the article in its entirety, visit: "Women Engineers Work to Restore the Soil, Water & Skies"
To speak with and/or set up an interview with Matrix, please contact Amy Delman, Amy Delman Public Relations, LLC, 201.563.4614 or amydelmanpr ( @ ) verizon dot net dot
About Dr. Laurie LaPat-Polasko
Known worldwide for her work developing innovative solutions to address water and soil contamination issues, Dr. LaPat-Polasko has a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Maryland, a M.S. and Engineers Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University, and a B.S. in Biology from Chatham University.
She has studied microbial pathogens around the globe, combining her knowledge of biology, environmental engineering, and microbiology to develop and design innovative “bioremediation” approaches to clean up contaminated sites, creating a green, cost-effective method to degrade diverse contaminants, such as chlorinated solvents, explosives, fuel compounds, and emerging contaminants.
Dr. LaPat-Polasko used qPCR to determine the source of a Naegleria fowleri impact in a drinking water source in the Phoenix, AZ area. Her 27 years of experience as a technical consultant, project manager, and chief science officer for efforts involving groundwater and soil remediation and wastewater treatment combined with her knowledge of microbiology and civil engineering, result in cost-effective remediation solutions for surface water, groundwater, soil, and sediments impacted by organic and inorganic compounds.
Dr. LaPat-Polasko has been the recipient of several prominent honors. In 2020 she was the recipient of the Prism Award by the Society of Women Engineers, in 2018 she received the GOLD International Stevie Award for Women in Business, Woman of the Year – Technology, and was selected as Outstanding Business Woman of the Year – 2018 by the Phoenix Business Journal for her community leadership, professional accomplishments, and personal achievements.
About SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is the world’s largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. The not-for-profit educational and service organization is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. To ensure SWE members reach their full potential as engineers and leaders, the Society offers unique opportunities to network, provides professional development, shapes public policy and provides recognition for the life-changing contributions and achievements of women engineers. As a champion of diversity, SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in their personal and professional lives. For more information about the Society, please visit www.swe.org or call 312.596.5223.
About Matrix New World Engineering
Matrix New World Engineering is a company of engineering and science experts who focus on some of the nation’s most pressing long-term challenges, including climate change, resiliency, ecological restoration, contamination studies, water supply, disaster response, and urban revitalization. Matrix believes solving environmental challenges through careful planning and engineering is becoming an indispensable measure of success.
Matrix is a growing woman-owned business with offices in New York, New Jersey, Arizona and Louisiana coupled with project experience throughout the United States and the Caribbean. For more information on the firm, please contact: Jayne Warne, President 800.747.MATRIX, jwarne ( @ ) matrixneworld dot com
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