Bhupesh Chohan (he/him)

About me

I was born/grew up in: I was born in a small city named Ambala in Haryana, India.

I now live in: Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I completed my training/education at:  I did my Master of Applied Geology at Kuruksherta University. Then I did a Bachelor of Engineering and Technology in Petroleum Engineering at Cape Breton University.

What I do at work

The company I work for helps other companies reduce their safety, health, and environmental risks.  We do this by providing testing and inspection services. For example, we test samples to make sure a company’s actions are not harming the environment or causing a risk. This helps them solve problems while they are small. We help them make sure their work does not break any laws or regulations.

I supervise and manage a laboratory that tests samples to see if they contain certain organic compounds. These compounds are harmful to people and the environment. I lead a team of seven professionals. This includes senior analysts, analysts, laboratory technicians, and interns. We all work in the Organic section of the laboratory. We do environmental testing, certification, and inspection. We work with samples of things like drinking water, oil, fish, tissues, soils and sediment. We test these for organic compounds. To do this, we use gas chromatography instruments. This work blends chemistry and physics.

I oversee the team's operations. This includes making sure we use our specialized equipment accurately and efficiently. We face different challenges in this work. They include diagnosing issues with the instruments and handling unusual samples. We use our scientific knowledge to overcome these.

Problem-solving is important in our work. This is especially true when we have unfamiliar samples or issues with the equipment. To solve this type of problem, we use our STEM skills and our understanding of chemistry and physics. These help us troubleshoot and solve any problem with our instruments.

Decision-making is also important in my job. I use scientific principles and analyze data to make informed choices. My STEM background is important in this process. It provides a foundation for logical reasoning and analytical thinking.

Collaboration and communication is essential in our laboratory. We interact with each other all the time. This helps create a supportive environment and teamwork. English is our main language. But we also share a common understanding of scientific concepts. This is a universal language that makes our team efficient.

My career path is

When I was in school, I enjoyed science. Today, I'm still fascinated by science and what we can learn. My interest in science led me to study geology. My background in geology, hydrogeology, and my Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Petroleum Engineering helped me get this job.

I am motivated by

I am excited to see the samples come to our lab. I am also motivated by the impact I make on the environment. I feel like I can do good for everyone.

How I affect peoples’ lives

The samples we analyze are from the current environment. The data we produce helps environmental consultants and provincial governments make decisions. These decisions directly affect people’s lives.

Outside of work I

I really enjoy outdoor activities like camping and hiking. I also do physical activities like outdoor games.

My advice to others

Always look for the bigger picture. There are so many things in the universe just waiting for you to explore.