Jason Oatley, C.Chem.
ACPO Registrar and District 14 Councillor
Manager, Quality and Compliance, Niagara Region
Why would you encourage a colleague to join the ACPO?
I think it’s important for professional chemists to have a group that represents them to the public. Chemists often work in the background in a lot of industries and the good work that chemists do is often overlooked. Joining the ACPO is a way to increase visibility for our profession.
How has ACPO brought value to your career?
I think the title Chartered Chemist is recognized especially to those in the environmental laboratory field. Having the “C.Chem.” after your name means something to most chemical and environmental professionals.
What Chemical Industry do you work in? What do you love about your Industry?
I used to work in the private sector Environmental Laboratory industry testing water, soil, oil for parameters like PCBs, heavy metals, glycols, etc. I now look after a municipal environmental laboratory and the regulatory compliance for wastewater treatment plants in Niagara Region.
Why would you encourage a student to major in the Chemistry field?
Chemistry is THE central science. When we mix ingredients together to make food or chemicals together to make pharmaceuticals, these are all chemical reactions and changes in matter. A good chemistry background is essential for people looking after our environment. Learning how to record observations scientifically can be used in other fields.
If you could have coffee with any chemist in history, who would that be and why?
I would pick Alfred Nobel as I think meeting him for coffee would be Dynamite!
