Go-getter Andrea Martin Kaval β07 graduated with a Bachelor of Science in environmental studies but her success doesnβt stop there. On her own, Kaval opened her Greenway Engineering, Inc., an environmental laboratory in Winchester. She takes great pride in what she and her team of technicians do on a daily basis to improve the environment around them.
Greenway Engineering, Inc. analyzes water, wastewater and soils/solids. Kaval coordinates all sampling and testing, supervises technicians, conducts analyses and maintains the laboratoryβs quality system. The most rewarding aspect of her job, is: βbeing able to choose all of my own instrumentation, methods of analysis, staff members, reagents and supplies and to create and implement a quality system exactly the way I desired has been gratifying. Perhaps even more rewarding is seeing how the technology of wastewater treatment has advanced in the last eight years of our laboratory being operational. Iβm happy to be able to provide a much-needed local resource and hope we can continue to do so for many years to come.β
A Winchester native, Kaval decided to attend SU, because of the small-town feel and location. She also liked how the professor-to-student ratio was conducive to better discussion and access to professors. Her fondest memories of SU are of time spent learning and researching with fellow colleagues and with professor Dr. Woodward Bousquet.
Kavalβs advice to students is: βTry to attend as many professional conferences and training workshops as possible to stay up to date on current technology and regulations. Network and make a lot of contacts. Once you have the right people to contact, things become much simpler! Hone and refine your documentation skills. There is nothing more important in this career than being able to describe exactly what was done, how it was done, who did it and what the result was. There is no such thing as too much detail when it comes to scientific documentation. If you didnβt document it, it never happened! Also, take care of your people and they will take care of you. Turnover is high in laboratories. It is the nature of the beast. Find the things that employees want and give them plenty of them. Help them find a good work-life balance, and everyone will be much happier!β