CURRENT CONSULTING FOCUS: Integration of scientific principles with engineering design, construction and monitoring functions for successful waste disposal in geologic media.
SUMMARY OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES: Bimal Mukhopadhyay is currently President of Environmental Science and Technology International (ESTI). ESTI provides highly advanced technological and monitoring services for solving environmental problems related to disposal of radioactive and mixed wastes in geologic media and remediation of contaminated sites. Prior to ESTI, he served in various R&D management positions at a number of institutions and private research facilities, including approximately two decades of involvements with the U S Department of Energy (DOE)’s environmental projects. Dr. Mukhopadhyay has more than 25 years of post-PhD. experience in applying the principles of earth sciences and chemistry to develop innovative solutions to issues related to environmental monitoring, site characterization and remediation of radioactive and mixed-waste in geologic media, and characterization and performance of the engineered and natural barrier systems for high-level radioactive waste disposal in deep geologic formations. He is highly experienced in managing multi-disciplinary projects, and has developed a number of large scientific programs, and led teams of scientists and engineers in the past.
Dr. Mukhopadhyay currently supports the Nuclear Waste Repository Project Office (NWRPO) of Nye County Nevada and the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) Office of Repository Development (ORD). For NWRPO, he serves as the technical advisor and officer for its QA Program and supports NWRPO in its future plan for addressing issues related to environmental monitoring and technology- development needed in order to carry on a comprehensive technical program for monitoring the potential impacts due to operations in the Nevada Test Site, the Yucca Mountain High-Level Radioactive Waste Repository site, and the Low-level radioactive waste site located in the county. For ORD, he provides technical and management support for managing the 40-million dollar five-year grant program with the University and Community College System of Nevada. He advises the ORD managers on technical issues related to license application to the NRC for constructing a repository at the Yucca Mountain site, Nevada; and serves as the leader of the Performance Assessment and Science Programs Team on behalf of the OCRWM Management and Technical Support contractor.
Dr. Mukhopadhyay was a member of the DOE’s Site Characterization Plan development team and was responsible for the Geochemistry part of the Site Characterization Plan for the Deaf Smith County (Texas) site for disposal of high-level radioactive waste. He has participated in remedial investigations and feasibility studies for several sites under the DOE’s Environmental Restoration (ER) program; the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) project; and a number of industrial sites under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Dr. Mukhopadhyay developed and co-directed a part of the Energy Research and Development Administration’s (now DOE) National Uranium Resources Evaluation (NURE) program at the University of New Mexico. He has had a long involvement with several R&D projects dealing with radionuclide migration through and containment by natural barriers, as well as development of exploration technologies for uranium, oil, and gas resources worldwide. He led development of two large and modern earth science research laboratories and made significant contributions in development and transfer of technologies for exploration and development of earth resources.
Dr. Mukhopadhyay held numerous senior management positions in the past, including Manager for the Hydrology and Geochemistry Group of the Battelle Memorial Institute; Senior Project Manager and Hydrology Task Manager for Roy F Weston; Hydrology Group Leader for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Research Supervisor/Principal Research Geologist for ARCO Oil &Gas Company Exploration and Production Research; and Associated Director of the NURE program conducted by the University of New Mexico for DOE funded through the Las Alamos National Laboratory.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS: Dr. Mukhopadhyay has a Ph.D. in Geochemistry from the University of New Mexico USA, a B.Sc. with Honors in Geology, and a M.Sc. in Geology from the University of Calcutta, India. He is a Certified Professional Geologist by the American Institute of Professional Geologists and a Certified Groundwater Professional by the Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers of the National Ground Water Association.
SECURITY CLEARANCES: Dr. Mukhopadhyay was Q-cleared (currently inactive). Currently he holds the DOE C clearance for access as contractor to the YMP sites and other DOE facilities.
