Melody Markert, EIT

Experience

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  Engineers Without Borders USA UMN

  Sept 2017 - May 2020

  Facilitated all phases of the design and construction of improved parabolic solar cooker iterations. Led weekly subgroup meetings and prepared technical documentation.Returned to partner community of Filakit Geragera, Ethiopia in a team of 6 students and 3 mentors. Continued working with the community to implement solutions designed to strengthen water accessibility and improve community resilience. Laid more pipe ahead of a solar water pump installation, repaired a reservoir for a planned drip irrigation system, and prototyped another solar injera cooker. Show less Worked in a 6-student team to design an improved cooker to combat deforestation and smoke inhalation concerns. Contributed to research, design, and alternative analyses. Developed evaluation metrics and a survey for community members.Traveled to partner community in Filakit Geragera, Ethiopia to help install a spring water catchment system, test the solar cooker prototype, construct a drip irrigation tower, and lay piping for a water distribution system. Observed and surveyed community members about cooking staple food injera. Show less

  • Vice President

    May 2019 - May 2020

  • Subgroup Lead, Solar Injera Cooker Project

    Sept 2018 - Sept 2019

  • Creative Director

    May 2018 - May 2019

  • Subgroup Member, Solar Injera Cooker Project

    Sept 2017 - Sept 2018
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  Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP)

  May 2019 - Sept 2019

  Safer Products Intern

  Conducted outreach efforts with local automotive businesses to encourage transitions to safer chemical usage for improved air quality and worker health. Evaluated alternatives for 58 products and identified more than 2000 pounds of potential air emissions reductions. The 36 participating businesses received individualized recommendation letters and trial products.

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  University of Minnesota

  Oct 2019 - May 2020

  Undergraduate Research Assistant - Abbas Lab

  Studied the effectiveness of functionalizing gold nanoparticles for the detection of pathogens in commercial food safety and medical applications

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  Seneca Foods Corporation

  May 2020 - Sept 2020

  Manufacturing Intern

  Internship during peak pea and corn production season. Conducted product recovery and energy studies to generate strategies to reduce pea damage during transport from field to plant. Gained a working knowledge of human health and food safety regulatory policies and guidelines.

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  University of Minnesota

  Jun 2021 - May 2022

  Research Assistant - Wright Lab

  Ethnographic study for end-stage kidney disease peritoneal dialysis system designLed hour-long video interviews with external stakeholders in the USA and Zimbabwe on kidney dialysis. Responsible for scheduling interviews, obtaining informed consent, documenting participant responses, and reviewing transcripts

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  Teaching Assistant Program in France USA

  Sept 2021 - Apr 2022

  English Language Assistant

  Responsible for supplementing the English curriculum of 500 middle school students, aged 10-14. Developed and executed lesson plans focused on expanding vocabulary and improving speaking skills. Supported the French public school system by expanding their language resources and aiding cultural exchange.

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  North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality

  Feb 2023 - now

  Public Water Supply SectionOffice of Continuous Improvement Vision: To build communities who do and advocate for resilient environmental actions where they live and work.Mission: To educate, spread resources, and supplement DEQ's ongoing sustainability work. Public Water Supply SectionProvided technical assistance and community outreach. Performed field inspections for new and existing well sites, emergency response, and complaint investigations. Regulated public groundwater systems in accordance with federal and state standards to help ensure access to safe drinking water.

  • Environmental Engineer, Plan Review Team

    Apr 2025 - now

  • Sustainability Team Chair

    Aug 2023 - now

  • Environmental Engineer, Raleigh Regional Office

    Feb 2023 - Apr 2025