Reimagine the Possible is a series that highlights innovation by Geosyntec practitioners, in their own words. In this question and answer, Kaylin McDermett shares the personal and professional experiences that led her to Geosyntec, from finding inspiration in her high school classes and participating in Geosyntec’s research paper competition.

Kaylin is an Engineer based in Pennsylvania who focuses on PFAS fate and transport, passive sampling, bioaccumulation, and groundwater and sediments.

Q&A

What inspired you to pursue a career in environmental remediation specializing in PFAS and other pollutants?

I’ve always been interested in the environment, and I was introduced to remediation during an environmental and earth sciences class in high school. When I learned about chemistry and groundwater transport in college, I realized these were areas I wanted to focus on.

After my master’s program, I wanted to delve into how and why contaminants move in the environment and how we can engineer remediation solutions. My advisor received grant funding to investigate the fate and transport of PFAS in sediments and the potential for bioaccumulation. It was the perfect fit for me, and I’ve enjoyed learning more about PFAS and working in an emerging area of environmental remediation!

How did you come to join Geosyntec?

In my second year of my doctoral program at Texas Tech, my advisor encouraged me to submit a paper about my research on PFAS passive sampling in sediments to the Geosyntec Student Paper Competition. My paper won second place, and I met several practitioners in the following months. That was really the moment that opened the door to me joining Geosyntec.

What role does collaboration play in fostering innovation within your team?

My favorite thing about Geosyntec is how I get to collaborate with my colleagues! Working with such great practitioners and subject matter experts has set me up to build my own exciting career with the company. Since joining Geosyntec, I have connected with some of the best and brightest minds tackling the complexities of PFAS, and I’ve learned so much about the innovative approaches Geosyntec takes to help solve difficult problems for our clients.

What excites you most about the future of your field?

When working with emerging contaminants, there are many unknowns to investigate. The more we discover about PFAS and their behavior in the environment, the more pieces of the puzzle fall into place. I’m excited about digging into those unanswered questions and using new technologies to make a difference at impacted sites.

Can you share an example of a project where you introduced a groundbreaking solution?

We recently conducted a PFAS forensic evaluation for a site in New Jersey where our client suspected that nonaqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) had been used for fire training. First, we evaluated concentrations and distributions of PFAS in groundwater, both at the site and in the region. Then we developed a unique “chemical fingerprint” for the PFAS found in groundwater that we could use to better understand its origin.

Based on amount and exact chemical makeup of PFAS at the site, our team concluded that it was not indicative of a former fire training area. Instead, it was associated with regional background contamination. In this case, we were able to help the client avoid the costs of further site investigation or cleanup and while providing peace of mind.