Get to Know Swe-MN: Melissa Kaufman Perlmutter

I was introduced to SWE my first week at Cornell University, when I was invited to attend a Welcome Picnic. I was impressed by the friendly, enthusiastic members, and have been involved with SWE ever since. I have held positions including Cornell Section President, Region E collegiate webmaster, and I am currently involved with National SWE as a member of the Collegiate Interest Committee.

Since moving to Minneapolis, I have loved being a part of SWE-MN, and I am currently the Fund Development Chair – thanks everyone for making our Winter Fundraiser last month such a success!

Melissa and I at the Winter Fundraiser

I received my B.S. in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell in 2006. After graduation, I joined GE’s Operations Management Leadership Program, and spent two years completing four assignments in Supply Chain, moving back and forth between Cincinnati and Boston. In the summer of 2008, I transferred to GE in Minnetonka to join my husband Jason, who is completing his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Every time I moved, I always connected with the local SWE section and immediately had a network in my new home.

I am now working as a Sourcing Specialist for GE Water and Process Technologies, a producer of water treatment products and filtration equipment. I spend my time searching for the highest quality/least expensive supply of material to feed the manufacturing process.

Outside of work and SWE, I enjoy traveling, seeing shows at the local theaters, attending the different outdoor season festivals around the Twin Cities, and I can’t wait for the snow to melt so I can go jogging around lakes.

Notre Dame in Paris

Get to Know SWE-MN: Shanna Kent

I was first introduced to SWE as a student in 2008 where I attended the 2008 Region H Conference in Peoria, Illinois. Since then, SWE has continued to provide excellent continuing education, networking and volunteer opportunities.

I attended Minnesota State University, Mankato where I received my undergraduate degree in 2008. Being from South Central Minnesota, the opportunity to join the Minnesota Department of Transportation at the Mankato Office was a perfect fit. I currently work in the design section providing assistance to the District Hydraulic Engineer and project management. I also served nine years in the Army National Guard as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. During that time I worked 9 months full time for the New Ulm Maintenance Shop and completed an 18 month deployment with 11 months stationed near Tikrit, Iraq.

My husband and I enjoy traveling north to escape the sea of cornfields whenever we get the chance. I also enjoy lake sports, scrapbooking and reading a good book when I can fit it in. When that isn’t enough, I have a pair of rottweilers that always keeps me on my toes.

Get to Know SWE-MN - September 2010

Nicole Danielson-Bartelt

I was introduced to SWE while in school at Michigan State University. SWE was one of the most active societies on campus, and I loved having a support system of like- minded women. I was President of the MSU SWE student section for a couple of years, and was the Region H Student Representative my last year at school – my first regional and national SWE experience, very cool! I’m relatively new to SWE-MN. Last spring volunteered to be on the nominating committee and this year I’m one of the membership co-chairs. I hope this is the beginning of a new chapter of SWE involvement, I’m really excited to be apart of SWE-MN!

I received my undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering in 2004, and my master’s degree in Environmental Engineering in 2006, both from Michigan State University. My husband and I are both from Western Wisconsin, so we knew we would end up back in the Twin Cities eventually to be closer to family. In April 2006, we were both hired by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT). In fact, we were the first “husband and wife” team hired on at the same time.

Currently I work in the Bridge Hydraulics Section at Mn/DOT as a hydraulic design engineer and supervisor for the waterways unit. We help design bridges and culverts over rivers and streams, to ensure the opening is appropriate for flooding concerns and the foundations are protected against scour or erosion.

I enjoy spending time with my husband and our dog Sadie. We love watching and playing all types of sports, especially cheering on the Spartans and the Packers. I also like to read, run or take fitness classes, and bake.

Get to Know SWE-MN - August 2010

Alyse Stofer

I joined the SWE-MN section in 1998, and have held a variety of roles throughout the Society.
I am currently serving as the Director of Membership Initiatives on the Board of Directors, and served as the Director of Regions in FY09 and FY10.
At the region level, I have served as the Region H Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary. In FY04, I served as the SWE-MN President, and have also served the Minnesota Section as the Vice President, Secretary, Section Representative, Membership Chair and Awards Chair.

I received my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Iowa,
master’s degree in Biomaterials from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and medical
device certificate from the University of St. Thomas.
I am currently employed at Medtronic as an Engineering Program Manager. I am leading product development projects in the Neuromodulation business sector in the Therapy Delivery Engineering group, which develops leads, catheters and accessories for implantable neurostimulation and infusion systems.
Additionally, I cherish the time I spend with my husband, Kevin, and young children, Lukas and
Kyra. Kevin is a math teacher, and soccer, hockey and golf coach at East Ridge High School
in Woodbury. Lukas, Kyra, and I enjoy attending Kevin’s games, as well as participating in a
variety of lessons and sports such as skating, swimming, soccer, and t-ball throughout the year.
I also enjoy baking, reading and traveling.
In July, I participated in a Navy submarine embark from Point Loma Naval Base as part of an engineering educator orientation visit, representing SWE. The photos were taken during this trip, in which I spent half a day in a nuclear submarine which went to the depth of 600 feet and about 25 miles off the coast of San Diego.

Get to Know SWE-MN - May 2010

FEATURING: Senja Lopac

I was introduced to SWE in 2008, directly after finishing graduate school and moving back to the Twin Cities area. Due to a small female engineering population, my university only had a “Women in Engineering and Science” program, so I was looking forward to meeting others from every engineering discipline and background. Being a former Girl Scout, I was also looking forward to assisting with Girl Scout Patch Day, and encouraging younger girls to consider engineering as a future career path. I had considered the engineering path since I was in eighth grade, thanks in part to a statewide math competition being sponsored by an engineering organization, and now realize how my decision would have been positively impacted by having a female engineering role model to look up to. I currently serve as SWE-MN’s webmaster and member of the scholarship committee.

I received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2005. In addition to my studies, I participated in an internship, a co-op, and an undergraduate research program. I discovered I really enjoyed the research side of engineering, and decided to head to graduate school. I spent two years attaining my master’s degree in chemical engineering from Iowa State University in 2008. My thesis involved utilizing biodegradable polyanhydrides microspheres as drug delivery mechanisms. My project allowed me to step over to the “other side” and experience the scientist’s world: synthesizing polymers, producing microspheres, culturing cells, in-vivo testing on mice, and learning various laboratory techniques.

I am currently employed at Beckman Coulter as a Development Scientist in Immunoassay R&D. Immunoassays are biochemical tests used to detect and measure the amount of a substance in a biological liquid, such as serum or urine. Beckman Coulter manufactures both immunoassay instrumentation and test kits at our Chaska site. My last project was working in product development on a novel chemistry detection method for implementation on a new line of immunoassay analyzers. I recently started on a new project involving test method validations on our manufacturing line.

I’m originally from Chisholm, MN; being from the Iron Range practically requires one to learn the sport of curling. I’ve been curling since I was 14, and recently became reacquainted with the sport after a few years off for graduate studies. I curl in a few leagues out of the St. Paul club, and spend most of my weekend bonspieling (curling tournaments); I even had the opportunity to curl in two national events, including one this past December in Seattle. I also enjoy exploring the Twin Cities, spending weekends at my cabin, attending concerts, and working on genealogy.

Please go to the SWE-MN website to see more of our sections events and opportunities!

Get to Know SWE-MN - April 2010

FEATURING: Holly Kimball

I was introduced to Engineering in 11th grade with a “Women in Engineering” week at the
University of Dayton. Prior to that summer I was planning on being a graphic artist who just really liked math. After attending the week, I feel in love with Lasers. I found that was offered at our local
community college and in April 1998 I completed my two year degree in Laser Electro Optics Engineering Technology. I was hired onto Corning Precision Lens in Amelia, Ohio and then later was offered a Laser Technician job at Hutchinson Technologies (HTI) in Hutchinson, MN. During my time at HTI, I decided to complete my Bachelor’s in Engineering. It was in my last couple years of college that I was introduced to SWE.
I started attending SWE meetings at St. Thomas University; yes they have an accredited engineering school. I was the Service Chair in 2004. I really enjoyed
being involved but working full time at Medtronic as an on call Sr. Technician,
going to school full time and planning a wedding left little room for any
volunteering. I graduate in May of 2006 with my Bachelors in Mechanical
Engineering. I was lucky to have been working for Medtronic since 2003 and was promoted within to Associate Engineer. I continued to attended SWE meetings and conferences and was reacquainted with an active SWE role after attending professional meetings in 2008, when I became a Scholarship co-chair. I also helped to establish the Medtronic internal professional network, SWEnet, with leadership positions for three years.

Outside of work I love to volunteer but have scaled back a lot now that I have a wonderful 5 month at home. My husband, Bryan, and I keep very busy hanging out with our son Herbie. We like to do many local events like rollog, fairs, truck pulls and visiting new areas to see what they have to offer. When I have time, I like to crochet, do genealogy research and bake. I still do some volunteering and am currently on the Lymphoma Research Foundation board for fundraising. I am also walking in this year’s Heart Walk on June 5th at Target Field. It’s going to be a lot of fun, come join us.

Please go to the SWE-MN website to see more information about our section’s upcoming events and opportunities!