Updated: March 14, 2007

Women's History Month – Nancy Barsoum

Nancy Barsoum’s career as a scientist has led her to a very interesting and unusual job at DEP. With a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s in Environmental Engineering from Polytechnic University, she serves as Director of Air Sampling Standards and Methodologies, a position she has held since 2004. As Director, she oversees the development of air sampling guidelines for biological, chemical and radiological material. These guidelines assist in the development of sampling methodologies that allow experts to efficiently detect releases of hazardous materials in the environment. These methodologies are instrumental in enhancing the City’s disaster preparedness.

Nancy came to DEP in 1997 and initially worked as a Project Manager in the Division of Planned Review and Construction Compliance before becoming a Hazardous Materials Specialist in the Division of Emergency Response and Technical Assessment. In this latter position, she was able to utilize her background in chemistry and became proficient in understanding chemical interactions and their associated hazards. It was the development of these chemical proficiencies that led to her current position.

Nancy has many role models in her life, all of whom possess a strong sense of determination and perseverance in achieving their goals. In her own work, Nancy has learned that “success is achieved through hard work and education.” Accordingly, her advice to future generations is to “view any hardship as a challenge and not as a hindrance. Anything worth fighting more never comes easily.”