Dr. Robert Flett (Ph.D.) - Chief Scientist Dr. Flett graduated in 1977 with a Ph.D. in Microbiology (Aquatic Ecology) from the University of Manitoba and was a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Biology at McGill University from 1976 to 1978. His research (nitrogen fixation) was carried out at the Experimental Lakes Area of northwestern Ontario in association with Dr. David Schindler of the Freshwater Institute. He has numerous publications in the fields of Microbiology and Biogeochemistry and is a member of the International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology, the AOAC and the American Chemical Society. Dr. Flett was appointed to the status of Adjunct Professor by the Department of Microbiology at the University of Manitoba in 1984 and has served on numerous Thesis Advisory Committees. His efforts on the lab bench established the mercury and radionuclide analyses at Flett Research. He is particularly interested in the biogeochemistry of lake and ocean sediments with special emphasis on diagenesis and factors which control the location of sediment accumulation. Aside from his background in microbiology and biogeochemistry, Dr. Flett is also experienced in the design and construction of analog and digital electronic instrument packages for use in limnological and oceanographic research.
Zorica Bilandzija (Diploma in Education in Chemistry) Zorica obtained her diploma in education (chemistry) from the College for Home Economics and Chemistry, Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1980. Previous lab experience was in the chemical analysis of coal. She also has teaching experience in chemistry. Zorica is in charge of total mercury analyses for this company. A significant portion of her time is devoted to ensuring that our Hg standards, both methyl and total, are accurate and stable. She is a valued and regular participant in the monthly USGS proficiency program for trace level mercury in water.
Jason Stetski (B.Sc.) Jason obtained his B.Sc. in chemistry in 2001 from University of Manitoba. Jason is doing methyl mercury analysis for this company. He has developed expertise in the cross checking of our methyl Hg standards against NIST traceable total mercury standards. He is also extending our ability to measure methyl mercury in very small tissue samples. He interacts directly with clients, ensuring they understand sampling protocols, and also makes certain they receive the sampling supplies they require.
Xiang Wei (M.Sc., B.Sc.) Xiang obtained his M.Sc. in Microbiology in 2001 from University of Manitoba. He obtained his B.Sc. degree majoring in Ecology and Environmental Biology, minor in chemistry in 1991 from Wuhan University, China. His master's research dealt with in vivo and in vitro mercury methylation in sulphate reducing bacteria and some other bacteria. He has work experience on air, water quality monitoring and Environmental Impact Assessment with the Hubei Environmental Protection Research Institute, China. Xiang is doing methyl mercury analysis, Research & Development for this company and also ensures proper functioning of the software and computer network.
Becky Kitchen Becky graduated as a registered medical laboratory technologist in 1993 from Red River College/St. Boniface General Hospital. She guided our quality assurance program and directed the laboratory's achievement of ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation through CALA (Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation). As a Co-quality Coordinator, she trouble shoots data base problems and brings new quality programs into operation.
Dawn Gilbert (Chemical Technologist)-Quality Coordinator Dawn obtained her diploma in Chemical Technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) - Calgary in 1988. Previous lab experience includes eight years as a chemist, client service liaison and laboratory supervisor at ASL Laboratories (now part of the ALS group) in Vancouver. Dawn directs our quality management system in accordance with Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) accreditation requirements. She also assists the chief scientist with managerial duties for the laboratory.
Xiaoxi Hu (M.Env., B.Eng.) Xiaoxi obtained her M.Env degree in Environment Chemistry in 2008 from University of Manitoba. She obtained her B.Eng. degree in Chemical Engineering and Technology in 2001 from East China University of Science and Technology, China. She gained hands-on experience in field sampling and instrumentation of HPLC, ICP-DRC-MS and CVFAS during her M.Env. thesis project, which was focusing on the concentration, speciation and temporal variation of selenium in the prairie waters of southern Manitoba. She also has three years' work experience as a chemist in Technical Center of Kao Corporation Shanghai, China. Xiaoxi is supervisor of the analysis of Pb-210, Cs-137, Be-7 and Ra-226, and performs the data analysis and modeling under the supervision of Chief Scientist.
Liam Hesketh-Jost (Chemical & Biosciences Technologist) Liam received his diploma in Chemical & Bioscience Technology from Red River College in 2008. He joins Flett with previous experience as a lab technician at the University of Manitoba, Human Nutritional Sciences Department and is currently responsible for the preparation and analysis of Pb-210, Cs-137, Be-7 and Ra-226.
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