YP Spotlight: Bishow Shaha

The SWANA Young Professionals (YP) group continues to grow and expand across the country. SWANA YP members have been busy this past year speaking at SWANA events, leading teams, mentoring students and making strides in every aspect of the industry. Let’s get to know some of these upcoming industry leaders!

Meet Bishow Shaha, Senior Staff Engineer - Geosyntec Consultants

Bishow started his solid waste career in 2015 while he was in graduate school at Florida Atlantic University. He was working part-time under Dr. Daniel E. Meeroff, a consultant to the local Solid Waste Authority. He completed his M.S. and Ph.D. focusing on the biogeochemical clogging of the leachate collection system and management solutions. During his stay at graduate school, he was involved with diverse solid waste management projects, including leachate collection system clogging; model H2S concentration in LFG and evaluation of the treatment options; characterization of biofilms and precipitates in a deep injection well; alternative analysis and recommendations for sustainable practices for the recyclables; and evaluation of roadmap to achieving 80% recycling goal.

After graduation, Bishow recently joined Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. at Boca Raton, FL as a Senior Staff Engineer in the Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Action Group (GEAG) to support the solid waste team. During his short stay at Geosyntec, Bishow has been involved in a range of solid waste projects, including construction quality assurance (CQA) services; supervision of standard penetration testing and soil classification for landfill expansion; landfill temperature monitoring; reviewing as-builts; preparing final construction and certification reports; and writing proposals. Bishow completed and earned 40HR HAZWOPER, and adult first aid/CPR/AED certificates. He also passed the PE (Environmental) exam and waiting for his Engineering license under the Florida board of professional engineers (FBPE).

Bishow has been an active student member of SWANA since 2015. He participated in three SWANA solid waste student design competitions (SWDC) organized by Young Professionals (YP) including the inaugural competition in 2015 where he and his team finished second. He and his team (FAU) also participated and won the competition in 2017 and 2019. Bishow attended WASTECON in 2015, 2017, and 2019. He also attended the 2020 Joint Summit hosted by Recycle Florida Today and the SWANA FL Sunshine Chapter.

Bishow is committed to serving the solid waste management industry with his knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm. When asked about his experience as a SWANA YP member he shares, “SWANA YP group provides a pathway for the YPs to develop a professional network with peers, be informed about the industry, be involved with SWANA, and develop the skills to progress in career."

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