Q&A With Boya Wang, p+d’s New Civil Engineer

20210616_144835-E-C-BMeet one of p+d’s newest full-time hires, Boya Wang, PhD! Boya is a civil engineer with over 5 years of experience in civil engineering, including water supply, wastewater treatment, groundwater protection, soil remediation, mathematical modeling and geostatistical simulation. He has extensive knowledge of and hands-on experience in technical writing and report preparation, public presentation, water treatment process design and operation and environmental laws and regulations. Boya is passionate about resolving emerging environmental issues and providing professional client solutions. He is also eager to take on new challenges.

1. WHY P+D?

I was referred here because my friend, who interned here, said there was a great team here and I could gain experience in different areas of engineering. Also, I wanted to be closer to my fiancée who recently got a job locally.

2. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

When I was primary school, I used to stay with my grandparents when my parents were working. And there was a very clear, very clean river beside their house. By the time I had reached middle school, the river had become very dark and smelly. I wanted to know what I could do to improve conditions, so I decided to become an environmental engineer so I could improve our environment and our communities.

3. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

Challenging: Every situation has unique features. So, figuring out how to adjust and adapt calculations to specific design criteria can be challenging. 

Rewarding: I think the most rewarding part is when you successfully design a project and your plans are approved. And you know your work is coming to life.

4. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

In three years, I will take the PE exam so I can become a Professional Engineer.

It’s been great to see Boya cruise through some of the more complex calculations that are required for designing effective wastewater treatment processes. His background in both the theoretical framework of treatment design and the regulatory approvals process from his previous work experience has accelerated his progress on challenging assignments, including developing facilities from scratch. He is quickly proving to be a real asset to P&D.

– Jason & Darren

Q&A With Maya Mansingh, p+d’s New Civil Engineer

20210617_131331-e-c-e3Meet one of p+d’s newest full-time hires, Maya Mansingh! Maya has over 3 years of experience, with much of that experience being from when she interned with p+d to fulfill her co-op requirement at RPI and when she returned for an additional summer internship cycle. At p+d, Maya has assisted our principals with designing complex water and wastewater treatment systems and SCADA systems, writing Engineer’s Reports and developing Map, Plan & Reports (MPRs) for water and sewer district capital projects. Maya’s preternatural project ownership is an invaluable quality that cannot be taught, and her high-quality deliverables rival those of graduate engineers who have been in the industry for much longer. Of course, we were thrilled that Maya decided to return full-time after her graduation this past May. 

1. WHY P+D?

I had a very positive experience during my internships here. I was involved in a wide variety of projects, and I found that in my experience, Jason, Darren and everyone here were very knowledgeable and very approachable.

2. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

I was always fascinated by the idea of a design becoming a reality. Each project is different and requires a collaborative approach to problem solving. And each person has a different role, and they all come together to complete the final project.

3. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

Challenging: Each project has unique constraints that need to be met in the design.

Rewarding: Knowing that your work will have a positive impact on people’s lives.

4. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

In the next few years, I would like to gain as much experience as possible and develop my skills. In the long term, I would like to obtain my professional engineering license.

Maya interned with us for two years, during which time we had the chance to get to know her and her work ethic, diligence and early ability to take charge of a project. We think working with us may have piqued her interest in our area of civil engineering. When she reached out to us as she approached graduation, we were ecstatic that she wanted to work here full-time. Now that she’s here, we can see how well she has integrated herself into our work style. She is doing a truly phenomenal job, and we couldn’t be happier.

– Jason & Darren

Q&A With Kathryn Warren, p+d’s Newest Civil Engineer

KWarrenMeet one of p+d’s newest full-time hires, Kathryn Warren! Kathryn is a civil engineer with over 2 years of experience in civil, structural and municipal engineering. While pursuing her co-terminal bachelor’s and master’s degrees at RPI, she regularly sought out opportunities to take stimulating courses and take on leadership roles. At p+d, she develops site plans for both public and private projects and conducts field inspections. A meticulous professional who demands (and so inspires) excellence, Kathryn jumps at the chance to push herself further—she is a model of determination.

1. WHY P+D?

I chose p+d because I wanted to have an opportunity to get in-depth experience over a wide range of projects. It was also important to me to find an office where everyone works as a team and I could feel comfortable asking questions. There is something new to learn every day working here, and there’s always a helping hand to collaborate with to ensure robust solutions. 

2. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

The aspect of engineering that I enjoy most is that no two projects I have worked on have been the same. I get to do something different each day, which keeps me motivated to always strive to find the best solution for each unique challenge. I also enjoy having the opportunity to get out into the field and see the real-life applications of my work. 

3. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

The most challenging part about engineering is bringing together all of the available information on a certain project and then developing a strong solution even when not everything is known. Working around unknowns or through uncertainty is a difficult skill to learn and comes only with experience. I am grateful to be working for Jason and Darren who both have developed and honed this skill over many projects and years of experience. 

The most rewarding aspect of engineering, for me, has to be getting to watch a project grow from an arbitrary idea into full-fledged construction. Being able to create something tangible from an imagined concept is empowering. It is also very fulfilling to get to do work that I know will have a direct impact on people’s lives on a daily basis. 

4. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

In the near future, my only goal is to gain the largest amount of diverse experience possible. I want to take advantage of every opportunity I have in order to learn and grow to the best of my ability. My long-term goal is to get my professional engineering license and have the ability to take on even bigger and more complex projects. 

After having Kathryn intern with us for two consecutive terms, we were really glad she decided to join our firm full-time. We know she’s bright–she earned her master’s from a competitive program in just four years–but she also has a measured demeanor, and we feel she has a lot of potential for growth within the firm. We’re looking forward to challenging her with some new and exciting private projects we are getting started with and to have her contribute to our municipal consultation work as well.

– Jason & Darren

p+d Celebrates National Intern Day

Intern Day editToday is National Intern Day, and p+d would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the interns we have had since our founding. Many of our interns have been hired as full-time engineers, and we feel grateful to witness their growth from students studying theory and design models to full-fledged civil and environmental engineers applying their calculations to the designs of real-life structures and systems.

In celebration of National Intern Day, we’re sharing our thoughts on the importance of obtaining an internship if you plan on entering the engineering field.

Obtaining an internship demonstrates commitment and curiosity. We truly value curiosity here at p+d; it’s how our founders Jason and Darren got started: Jason getting his hands dirty at a wastewater treatment plant while beginning his studies as a civil engineering student, and Darren, at a very young age, pulling apart a pen to examine its inner-workings. Engineering is a hands-on job, so employers like to see that students have sought out ways to get physically involved in the field and are eager to move beyond their textbooks and classrooms.

We give our interns major responsibilities and significant roles to play in the projects we manage. Our goal is to make their experience here as similar to their future lives as full-time engineers as we can. Our interns correspond directly with clients, learn key skills in clear and transparent communication, draft plans and engineer’s reports and visit project sites to observe existing conditions and needed improvements. We also encourage our interns to collaborate with one another, run their ideas by our seasoned principals and ask project-specific questions that will help them develop their problem-solving skills.

One of the most important lessons to take from an internship, and perhaps the hardest learned, is that engineering is never as tidy or formulaic as it can appear to be in the classroom. Working with ever-changing processes and regulations, aging systems and various clients inevitably leads to some organized chaos—which we have learned to love! But you have to know how to adapt to curveballs.

If you are currently an engineering student and are ready to get your hands dirty, here are some awesome resources we found to get you started on your journey. And what an exciting journey to be on! Firstly, the College of Engineering at San Jose University put together this comprehensive list of engineering internship myths you might want to check out in case you have any fears or doubts about the importance of obtaining an internship.

Next, we suggest conducting some independent research of engineering firms near you. Check their websites to see if they offer an internship program, or reach out to their human resources department to inquire. We also strongly suggest utilizing your career resource center if you are a college student. They typically have many professional connections, and they can let you know about any upcoming internship fairs. They can also give you professional advice on your resume and cover letter.

And once you’ve landed an internship—CONGRATULATIONS! Affiliated Engineers, a technical consulting firm, offers this list of tips on how to make the most of your engineering internship.

We are proud of our interns and are impressed daily by their growing technical skills and knowledge. p+d is honored to help young engineers get started on their careers. From all of us here, happy National Intern Day!

Q&A with Zi Ye, p+d’s Newest Environmental Engineer

IMG_8813Meet one of p+d’s newest full-time hires, Zi Ye, PhD, EIT! Zi is an environmental engineer with over 7 years of experience in the field. She has conducted environmental assessments, handled environmental permitting, ensured environmental regulatory compliance and researched cutting-edge wastewater treatment practices. Zi’s extensive knowledge stems from her in-depth and hands-on experience in laboratory testing, analysis, research and design. Last year, Zi obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. We asked Zi to share her thoughts on p+d, engineering and future goals.

WHY P+D?

I chose p+d because the variety of projects fascinated me, and I can gain professional experience. Besides those benefits, Jason and Darren are two very knowledgeable leaders who guide me in every way.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

Engineering is “applied science.” Working in engineering is seeing textbooks turn into reality. I enjoy applying my knowledge to solve real-life problems. I also enjoy the rewarding feeling after conquering each challenge. As an engineer, I would be pleased to see my design lead to improvements in people’s lives.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

The most challenging part of engineering is combining model calculations with real cases, especially under strict conditions. Sometimes the model runs very well, but the design is non-constructible. The most rewarding part is seeing my design work out and be constructed.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

My short-term goal is to get my professional engineering license (in one year), and my long-term goal is to work on more projects and gain more experience.

Zi’s background makes her an ideal candidate for our firm. In a short time, she has already proven to be a conscientious, thorough and professional team member. She brings a depth of wastewater process knowledge and research to our work, challenging us to approach old problems with novel solutions. She is a perfect fit for p+d, and her specialized experience is rare in the profession right now. We’re lucky to have her here. – Jason & Darren

Q&A with Andrew Thompson, p+d’s Newest Civil Engineer

Andrew TAndrew Thompson has recently joined p+d as a full-time civil engineer following his successful internship at our firm. Andrew has over 2 years of experience in civil, structural and municipal engineering, and he completed concrete structure designs and onsite construction management in the Dominican Republic following his graduation from the University of New Haven with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. We asked Andrew to share his thoughts on p+d, engineering and future goals.


Q: WHY P+D?

A: I chose to join p+d because I believed it to be valuable to gain experience out of my “comfort zone.” Most of my experience has dealt with structures and geotechnical engineering, so I’m looking forward to continuing to grow my knowledge in other fields of civil engineering. So far, working at p+d has allowed me to gain diverse experience and continue growing as an engineer.

Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT ENGINEERING?

A: The thing I enjoy the most about engineering is the fact that there are always unique challenges that surround every project. I enjoy the design process and also being able to see the design come to life as well, from plans to reality.

Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT ENGINEERING? MOST REWARDING?

A: The biggest challenge in engineering is designing around strict project constraints and trying to optimize projects to the greatest extent. The biggest reward is seeing your designs/drawings/ideas being constructed and utilized.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

A: The main goal I have in the future (within 5-7 years) is to obtain a Professional Engineering license and to eventually obtain a master’s in a civil engineering field that I consider to be the most beneficial. At this point in time, I don’t have a specific program in mind. An ongoing and future goal would be to continue designing new projects and expanding my knowledge in all fields of engineering.


We are pleased to welcome Andrew to our full-time staff after a productive six-month internship. In just a short time, we witnessed considerable growth in Andrew both as an engineer and colleague. His experience in different disciplines of engineering has already benefited our firm, and we are confident he will continue to grow. We’re looking forward to reaching new goals with Andrew on our team. – Jason & Darren

Addressing Trihalomethanes in the Town of Wallkill

p+d has completed a study that determined the deficiencies contributing to high levels of trihalomethanes (THM) in the water supply for the Town of Wallkill. THM occur within water systems as a result of the necessary disinfection process used to rid drinking water of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. Chlorine, commonly used within the disinfection process, can sometimes react to these microorganisms and create harmful disinfection byproducts such as THM. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a high level of THM in drinking water can lead to ill effects on the body such as “colon cancer for those aged 60 years or more and bladder cancer among non-smokers.” WHO also explains the significant factors that come together to potentially increase THM levels in drinking water: “the type and concentrations of organic materials in the raw water, the chlorine reaction time, temperature, and chlorination pH.” The study conducted by p+d had to focus on each factor in order to arrive at an effective solution for eliminating the harmful substance.

The Town of Wallkill was required to release a statement to residents in August of 2018 alerting them to the heightened levels of THM and residents were again warned early this year about the potential contaminants.

The Town accepted a proposal from p+d on January 23, which allowed us to evaluate their treatment process, storage system, and distribution network to discover the deficiencies contributing to the high levels of THM. More specifically, we proposed a project to install an agitator within the Town’s water storage tanks and thoroughly clean the inside of the tanks, ridding its walls of any organic materials that might be interacting with the chlorine. The agitator circulates the water to lower its age and prevent thermal stratification.

Most important to us is ensuring that the Town will experience long-term benefits from our evaluation and improvements. We are now in the process of designing the tank rehabilitations and conducting the cleaning that was recommended post-study. Providing continued rehabilitation of the greensand filters at each of the Town’s treatment plants and the installation of a chlorine booster station near the Washington Heights Storage Tanks will allow the Town to maintain a required free chlorine residual of 0.2 mg/l. 

Our Team Celebrates Our Successes

Last Friday, the p+d team gathered together to celebrate a successful year. This holiday season, we are deeply grateful for our tight-knit, dedicated staff and all those who have made our progress possible.

Happy holidays from all of us! We look forward to continuing to take on new projects, build new relationships and grow our team in the new year.

Q&A with Ted Taylor, p+d’s Newest Civil Engineer

TedTed Taylor has joined p+d as a civil engineer. Ted brings with him over three years of civil engineering and construction inspection experience, and he previously worked with the firm’s principals for two years at another firm. We asked Ted to share his thoughts on p+d, engineering and future goals.


Q: WHY HERE?

A: I chose p+d because of the leadership of Jason and Darren. Having worked with them both in the past, I value the knowledge they’ve accumulated over the course of their careers It makes for an exciting place to learn and grow! There is lots going on here, and I like being in the thick of things. Plus, I know we work well together, and we all know what to expect from each other.

Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING AN ENGINEER?

A: Being able to create tangible solutions to real-world problems. My last position required a lot of administrative work, auditing, but what I really love is seeing a project through from start to finish. It’s amazing to watch something that was once a concept in your mind transform into something that people use every day.

Q: WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER THUS FAR?

A: That no two projects are alike. Even if projects have similar features, every client will have their own needs, every site will have its own constraints and every problem will have its own unique solution.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

A: Right now my immediate goal is to get my professional engineering license, and in the long term I hope to be a partner at a consulting firm.


We are really glad that Ted decided to join our team. We’ve long admired his hands-on approach to engineering, where he draws on his past experiences with real-world situations. So often we see young engineers with no firsthand project experience; intuition derived from that type of experience just can’t be taught or explained. It cannot be learned from a book.

We know Ted’s methodology will fit in well with our practical approach to design, and his experience in the field will be especially beneficial. – Jason & Darren

Our Team Is Growing

lindaWe are pleased to announce that Linda Kump has joined our team! Linda comes to us with more than 17 years of experience at engineering firms, having served in every capacity of office work. Her expertise in running an office and working with clients – and her past history of working alongside p+d’s principals – makes her an invaluable addition to the p+d team. 

Linda has a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Plattsburgh and a NYS Notary license, and she volunteers with the Hudson Valley Water Works Conference in the Town of Wallkill. With a sharp eye for detail and deep insight into the local municipal engineering industry, she will anchor p+d’s office administration and polish the firm’s processes.

We are confident that Linda will take on her new responsibilities at p+d with the same enthusiasm and professionalism she has always shown in the past. Welcome, Linda!