October 05, 2019 - Dr. Laurie LaPat-Polasko Vice President/National Director of Remediation for Matrix New World Engineering (Matrix) has been selected to participate in the ground-breaking 5th Homeward Bound Program. Dr. LaPat-Polasko is an environmental trailblazer, specializing in the discovery and use of microbes to biodegrade harmful contaminants in water and soil and developing innovative solutions to address water and soil contamination issues worldwide. After isolating a bacterium that now bears her name, Pseudomonas LP, Dr. LaPat-Polasko, working with former employer Jacques Cousteau, addressed pollution issues in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition to her environmental work, she also served as the Chief Science Officer for an energy start-up company, where she led the first full-scale bioconversion of coal to produce natural gas.
Per Dr. LaPat-Polasko, “I am humbled to be a part of this incredible group of intelligent, talented, creative women. I have been focusing on protecting and cleaning up our planet Earth for several decades, and I am passionate about making a difference in preserving our planet and its resources.”
Of the 70 participants selected for this notable program, Dr. LaPat-Polasko is one of only ten participants from the United States. Homeward Bound is a global twelve-month leadership initiative for women with a background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medicine (STEMM). A prominent leadership venture, participants will advance their governance capabilities and enhance their influence and impact on the decisions that shape our planet. This year-long collaboration, offers on-the-ground learning (leadership, science, visibility, strategy) plus the ability to work on a range of critical projects. HBP emerged in recognition because of a lack of women in leadership, specifically in the area of STEMM, and how these areas can have a critical impact on our planet.
According to Jayne Warne, PE, President, “As the founder of a woman-owned business, I am thrilled that Laurie will be involved in this one-of-a-kind program. I am passionate about STEMM and finding ways to keep women in science-centric careers. Homeward Bound shines a light on the incredible things that women, especially women scientists, can do.”
Homeward Bound aims to equip a 1000-strong collaboration of women with the skills to demonstrate a new model of leadership, to create better outcomes for our planet. The 12-month program includes online learning to increase leadership capacity, strategic capability, visibility and collaboration, and culminates in a meeting of all participants in Ushuaia, Argentina before embarking on a life-changing voyage to one of the most ecologically sensitive and inspiring areas on Earth, Antarctica, at the end of 2020. Antarctica represents the relative fragility of the natural world, but it is also an environment that can provide invaluable information about what’s happening on a global scale, and provides the world with early warnings about climate change.
Individuals or companies interested in sponsoring Dr. Laurie LaPat-Polasko should contact llapat ( @ ) matrixneworld dot com dot
To speak 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 throughout the U.S. and 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 studied microbial pathogens around the world, 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. 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 Matrix New World Engineering:
Matrix New World Engineering is a leading woman-owned full-service engineering and environmental services firm that provides scientific and engineering expertise for a wide range of projects from infrastructure improvement, climate change resiliency, ecological restoration, and contamination studies in the United States and overseas. The Florham Park, NJ-based company has offices in Eatontown, NJ; New York City, NY; Phoenix, Prescott, and Tucson, Arizona; Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, LA; and Stanton, CA.
For more information on the firm, please contact: Jayne Warne, President 800.747.MATRIX, jwarne ( @ ) matrixneworld dot com
Contact Information
Amy Delman
Amy Delman Public Relations, Llc
07039
Voice: 2015634614
