With over 20 years of geo-environmental experience, Hilary leads the Geotechnical team in our Warwick office . A Chartered Biologist, she has in-depth expertise in contaminated land, covering areas such as environmental impact assessments, hazardous waste evaluations, ground investigation design, and RAMS.
Hilary, what inspires you about geo-environmental sciences / engineering?
At school I was a keen scientist, which lead me to go on and study science for A-levels and Earth Sciences to degree level at university. Studying deepened my interest in identifying what compounds make up the land that we walk on, exploring what can be found under the soil surface and detecting if land is contaminated.
When did you first become aware of the possibility of a career in geo-environmental sciences / engineering?
After gaining my university degree I was empowered to explore the different avenues where I could utilise my knowledge. I became excited at the prospect of turning this into a career that I would continue to find interesting and varied. Working with the Geo-environmental team at JNP enables me to educate others further on my specialism – contaminated land and offer support to those who are beginning their career journey.
What has been your favourite project?
Whilst working at JNP group my favourite project has to be the remediation and ground investigation that took place at a former gas works site. The reports uncovered contaminants in the soil such as tar and ‘Blue Billy’ – a blue cyanide containing substance that is created during the gas purification process when cyanide reacts with iron. In a previous job role, I worked on a remediation scheme of a former dye works site, which had some colourful looking soils! I get a lot of enjoyment out of projects like these as I like seeing what’s in the ground and if it’s contaminated that’s even better!
What is your favourite place of ecological interest and why?
This would have to be Yellowstone National Park. Visiting here was the trip of a lifetime, the chance to explore the Yellowstone falls, experience the geothermic cone geyser called Old Faithful, observe the Mammoth Hot Springs that are made up of mineral deposits, and marvel at the colours in the Grand Prismatic Spring, made thanks to different types of bacteria in the water. These together with the petrified trees, black bears, bison and various other critters made a trip to Yellowstone National Park a chartered biologist’s dream!
What is your favourite structure and why?
This is hard to narrow down to just one! I have a top three. In the UK it would be Tower Bridge, a lovely bit of architecture that I have recreated in Lego form at home. In Europe it would the Colosseum in Rome. The shear scale of the structure is an awe-inspiring feat of ancient roman engineering. Lastly, in USA the Tower of Terror at Disney World Hollywood Studios. When the structure was designed, they used forced perspective, the higher the building becomes the bricks and windows are made smaller and to scale, tricking the eye into thinking the building is taller than it is. This clever imagineering together with the engineering of Otis elevator company make this a ride to remember!
