Jeff Roberts, M.Sc. | Operations Manager
Jeff is the Operations Manager at SiREM with extensive technical experience in the laboratory assessment and field implementation of soil, sediment and groundwater remediation technologies at sites containing contaminants including chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, emerging contaminants and other recalcitrant compounds. Over the past 18 years he has conducted and managed hundreds of bench-scale batch and column treatability studies and has technical experience in the growth, scale up and field implementation of several anaerobic microbial cultures for bioremediation remedies. Jeff has several years of passive sampling experience and was a lead member in the development of the SP3™ sampler.
Sandra Dworatzek, M.Sc. | Principal
Sandra is a Principal Scientist with more than 25 years of experience in bioremediation of chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, emerging contaminants and other recalcitrant compounds. She has specific technical experience in the design of laboratory treatability studies, the scale up of growth of aerobic and anaerobic microbial cultures for bioaugmentation laboratory and field pilot tests, and evaluation of aerobic and anaerobic bioremediation, zero valent iron and chemical oxidation technologies in the laboratory. She currently provides senior technical oversight of laboratory treatability studies and the development and scaleup of new bioaugmentation cultures, including novel cultures for BTEX compounds under anaerobic conditions and aerobic 1,4-dioxane bioremediation. Sandra currently is the industry lead on a Genome Canada funded project for the commercialization of anaerobic BTEX degrading cultures.
Phil Dennis, M.A.Sc. | Principal
Phil is a Principal Molecular Biologist with more than 20 years of experience focused environmental microbiology, molecular genetic testing, enhanced bioremediation and technology commercialization. He currently directs the molecular testing services, next generation sequencing and is the innovation lead for SiREM’s research and development program. He has also played a leading role in developing relationships with many universities and serves on the Board for University of Waterloo Center for Microbial Research.
Brent G. Pautler, Ph.D. | Chemistry Services Manager
Brent received his Ph.D. in environmental analytical chemistry in 2013 where he gained advanced technical experience in spectroscopy, chromatography, mass spectrometry, passive sampling, and chemistry informatics. Throughout his career, he has worked with scientists, engineers, and consultants, applying his chemistry and information technology expertise to help them solve unique problems in the laboratory and the field. His role includes managing and advancing SiREM’s passive sampling portfolio, analytical testing services while supporting Compound Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) business development.
Ximena Druar, B.Sc. | Genetic Laboratory Supervisor
Ximena joined SiREM in 2002, as one of SiREM’s first employees and now serves as the Genetic Laboratory Supervisor where she oversees and coordinates the day-to-day activities for Gene-Trac® testing that includes managing over 40 tests and next generation sequencing. Ximena supervises lab technicians and assistants, is a client liaison, approves and issues reports, proposals and invoices.
Jacques Smith, Ph.D. | US Laboratory Manager
Jacques has over five years of experience in environmental laboratory testing and now manages the SiREM Knoxville laboratory. Primarily schooled in molecular biotechnology, he broadened his technical skill set at SiREM by becoming proficient at planning and executing bench-scale treatability studies to generate innovative and unbiased remedial solutions. Areas of expertise include Next Generation Sequencing, CCR waste reclamation, leaching studies, settling and dewatering and wastewater treatment processes. Jacques also has extensive field experience that includes ground- and surface water sampling, site clearing and drilling oversight, soil core and sediment sampling, PFAS sampling and stream inspections.
Michael Healey, B.Sc. | Treatability and SP3™ Services Supervisor
Michael is the Treatability and SP3™ Services Supervisor at SiREM with eight years of experience. Michael has managed numerous bench-scale studies evaluating remediation technologies for contaminants including chlorinated solvents, petroleum hydrocarbons, emerging contaminants and other recalcitrant compounds in soil, sediment, and groundwater. Michael has several years of passive sampling experience and was a lead member in the development and commercialization of the SP3™ sampler.
Corey Scales, B.Sc. | Bioaugmentation Coordinator
Joining SiREM in May 2017, Corey was tasked with growing and maintaining SiREM’s line of bioaugmentation cultures. He quickly grew his role to include shipping and injection logistics and supporting clients with product application. Corey is active with research and development including developing new bioaugmentation cultures, procedures for cell concentration and growing bioaugmentation cultures on a larger scale.