Meeting Speaker Marlene Brown: An SE Approach to Providing PV in Ghana
Albuquerque , USA
ATA, 1300 Britt Street, SE. Also GlobalMeet7
Abstract: The presentation portrays the evolution of the Boko Bed Net System for a Malaria ridden area in Ghana. It is the result of analyzing a serious problem, understanding the environment and limited local resources, and then finding the right technologies and partners to design and implement a simple and elegant solution. The Boko Bed Net System consists of a LED light and fan powered by a small photovoltaic (PV) system inside of a bed net. The system is simple enough, but the project was created out of need. It comes from personal stories of Malaria, cultural communication issues and taboos, and genuine compassion for trying to combat something as common and devastating as Malaria. This is a real project that I worked on, mentored and guided. A Systems Engineering approach was used throughout this project.
Bio: Marlene Brown has had multiple careers at Sandia National Labs. She is currently doing high level strategic planning, facilitation, problem solving along with System Engineering activities. She has worked evaluating systems and components and as a Quality Engineer. She has also worked in an On-Orbit Satellite Analysis Group working with satellite sensors and detectors. Her first job at Sandia was in the Photovoltaics Systems Group where she worked with all levels of systems applications in the field and in the lab. Marlene has worked with photovoltaic applications for over 25 years doing analysis, testing components, and teaching hands-on classes. Marlene has a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico. She also has a 2nd Engineering Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology where she recently graduated in May 2014. Her technical and personal passions have inspired her to start a much-needed business incorporating immediate and short-term disaster preparedness and relief.
When Marlene is not working or playing with solar, she likes to African dance, bike, play with bees, hike in the mountains, and ski. She has been on the corporate ski team for Sandia National Laboratories for over 10 years and is active in the Sandia Singers group.