MVA Attendee: Michelle R. Cavaliere, Ph.D.*
Date: August 1-5, 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon

THE PROBLEM:

A major household products company faced a challenge from a rival company, claiming that its product was better at cleaning household dirt. Contesting this claim on the grounds that the dirt the rival company used was not representative of real household dirt, the company called MVA Scientific Consultants. continue reading…

THE PROBLEM:

Soil samples that were taken from the area under San Francisco’s famed Golden Gate Bridge showed high lead content. Leaded gasoline and rust proofing paint from the bridge were suspected as possible sources. continue reading…

THE PROBLEM:

A stain in the carpet in a South Carolina courthouse seemed to reappear and grow in size after every cleaning. So persistent was this mysterious stain that it had been nicknamed “Ralph.” continue reading…

THE PROBLEM:

A national corporation was involved in litigation over allegations that they were using asbestos in the manufacture of hair dryers. continue reading…

THE PROBLEM:

A national restaurant chain received a complaint from a customer about an unidentified green material found on a piece of bread used in a top selling menu item. To adequately address the complaint, the restaurant needed to identify the green material and determine if their product had been tampered with or if the issue was the result of problems with preparation, packaging, or processing.

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THE PROBLEM:

A large wholesaler of fruit and produce discovered that the quality of their products and processing operations had been suddenly affected by a dusty foreign material. The dust had followed a remodeling project at a neighboring business. continue reading…

THE PROBLEM:

A law firm representing a world-renowned candy maker faced litigation involving a consumer complaint. The complaint was about glass fragments that were allegedly found in the candy maker’s top-selling candy bar. continue reading…

THE PROBLEM:

A major broadcast news agency was working on a story about asbestos found in public school buildings and received a scientific study from the school systems in question. The journalist assigned the story needed assistance in verifying and conveying the key elements of the study. continue reading…