With a longstanding passion for science and the natural world, Andrea knew a career in those industries was likely. It wasn’t until she started pursuing veterinarian studies at the University of Guelph that she decided to switch her focus from animal biology to toxicology.
Andrea Amendola, Senior Toxicologist and Risk Assessor
After getting snapped up as a junior risk assessor less than a week after her last exam, she worked in the industry on various projects before joining Ecometrix.
“I kept seeing Ecometrix’s name,” she says. “It had this really stellar reputation in the industry of being top notch and ahead of the curve in terms of nuclear risk assessment and risk assessment altogether.”
Today, Andrea works as our senior toxicologist and risk assessor, focusing on contaminated site risk assessments and several nuclear projects, as well as taking part in events like Laurentian SETAC. It’s safe to say that no two days are the same. Where one day she could be working on reports, calculations, or modelling, another could see her working on project management or directly with clients to ensure their needs are being met.
Andrea running the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon in Las Vegas.
“I really like doing the actual science associated with the work alongside talking to clients or reviewing reports,” she says. “By staying relevant with the technical aspects and incorporating new science as we go, we can stay closer to the environmental regulations and understand how they continue to evolve over time.”
Something else she enjoys about working with Ecometrix is being at the forefront of what’s happening in the industry. “We’re working directly with Conexus Nuclear Inc. (previously CANDU Owners Group) and with regulators and nuclear providers in setting and developing those regulations.”
Over the next few years, Andrea is passionate about furthering her involvement in nuclear work at Ecometrix, as well as supporting on legal cases and projects that work closely with communities to rehabilitate contaminated land.
“Last year, we were involved in a request where a First Nation learned that there had been historical contamination in their community. We got involved to look through the data and think about the potential risks for the population. It’s so rewarding when we know that our work can make a tangible difference in people’s lives.”
As with all projects at Ecometrix, work doesn’t exist in a bubble, and Andrea shares how the integrated approach to Environmental Intelligence™ is an important part of how experts collaborate.
“Risk assessment and toxicology are multidisciplinary. We’re always working with other teams, and we have those teams communicate their findings. Formalizing the integrated water services makes so much sense because that’s really the way we work.”
In her free time, Andrea enjoys jogging and travelling.
Read about one of our nuclear success stories
Thanks to aquatic assessment, environmental risk assessment, and constant communication, Ecometrix is helping one of the world’s largest nuclear stations remain fit for the future.
