EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHT
Here's a quick Q&A with Dena Tomassi, Staff Scientist, Sharon, MA Office -
Q. Where were you before you came to EnviroTrac (school/prior work experience)?
A. Originally from New Jersey, I graduated from Drew University (Madison, NJ) with a BA in biology in 2007. I spent the remainder of 2007 and some of 2008 applying to graduate schools. After being accepted to the University of Massachusetts – Boston Biology Master’s program, I began job hunting so that I would be able to support myself throughout graduate school. Luckily, I was hired by EnviroTrac in May 2008 (just before the economy and job market really went into recession).
Q. How long have you been here?
A. I moved to Massachusetts 3 weeks after being hired, so I have been living in Massachusetts and an employee of EnviroTrac for 3.5 years.
Q. What do you do here?
A. As a Staff Scientist, I mostly perform daily field duties: groundwater, soil, & air sampling, Operation and Maintenance (O&M) activities, construction oversight, etc. Most recently, I have been getting more involved in the report writing aspects of our business and becoming more familiar with pertinent state & federal environmental regulations. Additionally, I was heavily involved with a storm water management account at the very beginning of my time with EnviroTrac.
Q. Any hobbies, interests or causes?
A. I travel avidly and I’m also a pretty big hockey fan (GO DEVILS!).
Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A. I always remember being interested in science. I don’t remember wanting to be anything else. At first, I said I would be a marine biologist (a cliché, I know): saving fish, whales, and coral reefs. As I got older and was exposed to other areas of biology, I parted with being a marine biologist, and focused my science career upon ecology, invasive species, and conservation.
Q. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
A. To date: completing my Master’s degree. It was by far the most challenging aspect of my academic career and I’m proud of myself for making it through.
