DONNA KIRK
 

 

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ATTENDEE

EIA ENERGY CONFERENCE

WASHINGTON, DC

SUMMER 2016

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* Attended workshops, breakout sessions, and plenary talks by high profile energy leaders.

* Networked with professionals in all energy fields.

* Live tweeted talks and information.

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SOLAR DESIGNER

TRINITY SOLAR

​JULY 2015 - CURRENT

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* Plan Set Review.

* 3-Line Diagram inspection.

* Designed code-compliant solar photovoltaic systems using civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering concepts and calculations.

* Used AutoCAD and SketchUp software and custom Remote Site Assessment and shading tools for design.

* Structural assessment.

* Structural Site Assessment Analysis.

* BOM Creation.

* Inspecting structural data that returns from the field.

* Worked with project managers to submit plans and drawings to building departments. 

* Salesforce data entry.

* Tracked permitting process through approval. 

* Worked cross functionally with sales, project management and installation teams to ensure clients’ needs and internal deadlines are met.

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RESEARCH ASSISTANT

LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY

​June 2014 - August 2014

 

Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (Solar Fuel):

* Computational analysis of CO2 reduction using four levels of quantum theory.
* Visual molecular dynamics using software such as IQMol and Avagadro.
* Analysis of optimal structures and ligands of metal-based heterogeneous catalysts using QChem software to access data from the supercomputers at NERSC.
*Attachment and analysis of catalyst to electrode.
* Industry standardized research poster and presentation explaining research to peers and LBNL staff.
* Drafted a technical report.

Programs: PuTTY, Vesta, QChem, IQmol, Avagadro, Python, VMD.

 

 

RESEARCH RECIPIENT, MINI-SEMESTER

BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY

​2014

 

​* Attended intensive particle physics, organic chemistry, solar power, nanotechnology, advanced light source, and microbiology lectures given by BNL scientists.
* Designed a technical report about biofuel.
* Gave a talk on petroleum and biofuel to BNL staff scientists and students.

 

 

OUTREACH

COOP-POWER, SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT

2014

 

* Networked with local business leaders in green energy and technology.

* Discussed Solar Fuel research.

* Worked at a table for Holyoke Community College's sustainability programs along with faculty and staff.

 

http://www.cooppower.coop/event-calendar/sustainability-summit-2014

Co-op Power is a multi-class, multi-racial movement for a sustainable and just energy future.

 

 

STEM OUTREACH COORDINATOR

HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2013 - 2014​

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* With a grant from the state of Massachusetts to the 15 Community Colleges, I was hired to do outreach for STEM Starter Academy at HCC.
*Informed students about STEM classes that were designed by professional HCC STEM faculty.
* Designed informational posters about events and alerted students to the support programs that were put into place by several departments.
* Passed along apprenticeship/internship opportunities and realistic transfer options and information.

*Studied and began to understand the problems and issues in STEM regarding minority students and women.

*Attended professional development meetings.

 

 

CHEMISTRY & BIOLOGY TUTOR

HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2012 - 2014

 

Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS):

* Discussed study and wellness habits.

* Met students where they were at, whether beginner or intermediate.

* Made it clear how difficult STEM is and how improving skills through disciplined study habits is essential.
* Designed a study calendar to keep students on track.

* Explained concepts or complicated science terms or processes so students could better understand the material.

 

ENGINEERING ASSISTANT AND COORDINATOR

HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS):

* Revitalized the rooms and materials to anticipate incoming students.

* Over-saw a weekly supplementary period to solve problems in both calculus and physics. 

* Collaborated with colleagues.
* Designed the Engineering video. 

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VOLUNTEER

BOSTON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE

2012 

 

*Explored advances in modern science.
* Explained history and innovation of museum to guests.
* Helped guests locate exhibits.

 

 

   

 

 

*A few years following my first degree in English and Social and Political Philosophy, I was active in literary and arts organizations, including public radio. It was formative to learn from different perspectives and understand larger ideas. This took place through writing, reading, interviewing, and producing. I believe those earlier experiences made me wiser and more mature. Eventually, I went back to school to study engineering and green technology. For more information about those former experiences, please connect on Linkedin.