Introduction

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Hello there! My name is Ruth Mekonnen and I am a senior at the University of Colorado Denver. In December, I will be graduating with a degree in Public Health and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

I have always had a passion for healthcare and creating solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. While on a family trip to my homeland of Ethiopia in 2019, I discovered why and how I wanted to ignite that change: through public health and GIS.

Since I heard about GIS in high school, I saw the vast potential for spatial technologies to connect communities and support my passions in medial geography, specifically global health, data justice, and environmental justice. Whether to share data, impact health and social policy, visualize research findings, or map pollution in impacted communities, GIS technologies are becoming essential in every industry across the globe. Ultimately, my goal is to return to Ethiopia and contribute to the healthcare and technological renaissance happening there.

Over the summer, I gained much experience working on repairs. My research team and I learned much about assembling, installing, modifying, and troubleshooting multiple air quality sensors and gas monitoring machines that cost a fortune. Talk about a stressful repair (without the help of YouTube University)!

We also had to create our own operating protocols after learning everything about the products from the manufacturers. My manual includes photos, graphics (including maps), and other elements, so I'm confident I can create an easy-to-follow guide that meets your repair needs!

As an environmental justice researcher, I am thrilled to learn about iFixit's mission to keep unnecessary waste out of all communities while putting the "Right to Repair" back into our hands.

Skills:

  • Bilingual
  • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Working under pressure
  • Research
  • Teamwork
  • Project management
  • GIS & data visualization

Repair Experience:

  • Air quality instrument repairs:
    • Battery replacement
    • Sensor replacement
    • Troubleshooting issues
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Awards:

  • QuestBridge Scholar (2017)
  • HACU Scholar (2020)
  • University of Colorado Denver Dean's List (2022 - 2023)
  • RaCAS Research - "Most Impact in Denver Metro Area" (2023)
  • Student Spotlight - College of Liberal Arts & Science
  • Emerging Leader - CPHA (2023)

Groups/Memberships:

  • CU CHANGE (Coalition for the Advancement of Health and Narrowing Gaps in Equity (CU C.H.A.N.G.E.) - Executive Board - Chief Strategy Officer
  • CU Public Health Association
  • Colorado Public Health Association (CPHA)
  • American Association of Geographers (AAG)
  • Women in GIS (WGIS)
  • Casa de Paz

Hobbies:

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  • Watching basketball with friends (Go Nuggets!)
  • Hiking
  • Listening to music (esp. Beyonce)
  • Reading & writing
  • My adorable bobtail tabby