Roel D. Mercado
Fords
Summary
Goal-oriented with strong analytical skills and a solid foundation in physical sciences, engineering, and applied mathematics. Proven ability to excel as both a collaborative team member and an effective project leader, leveraging excellent communication, writing, and presentation skills to convey complex information clearly. Experienced in problem-solving, creative design, and team communication within business environments, along with expertise in curriculum development and staff mentorship. Demonstrates adaptability and a results-driven mindset, consistently aligning efforts with evolving organizational objectives.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Science Department Chair
Saint Joseph High School
Metuchen, NJ
08.2017 - Current
- Responsible for decisions, direction, and finances of the Science Department
- Tasked with the current restructuring and creative planning for the future of the department
- Teaches courses in Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics
- Responsible for planning lessons, writing/grading problems sets and exams
Teacher of Mathematics – Algebra I & II, Geometry
Saint Joseph High School
Metuchen, NJ
09.2015 - 08.2017
- Teaches courses in Algebra I, Algebra II Honors, and Math Strategies and Logic
- Responsible for planning lessons, writing/grading problem sets and exams
Co-Founder / Owner, Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Operations Manager
The Escape Plan LLC
Edison, NJ
08.2015 - 11.2021
- Founded escape room company – focuses on team-building through interactive, logical and artistic puzzles
- Responsible for finances and documentation of business operations, working with corporations and marketing groups, managing technology and implementation/execution of devices
- Designer and innovator of puzzles, layout, script, story, and theme of escape room
- Developed skills in hands-on construction, building, and remodeling
Researcher
Columbia University, SEAS Department of Chemical Engineering
New York, NY
09.2011 - 01.2014
- Conducted original research under Dr. Alan West and Dr. Scott Banta on a renewable energy – biofuels project funded by Department of Energy – ARPA-E
- Devised and carried out experiments in electrochemistry, fuel-cell technology, and biological media composition. Created an original system that integrated biological and electrochemical reactors
- Co-authored two publications on work done in engineering media for biofuel-producing bacteria
- Http://columbia-electrochem-lab.org/?page_id=10
Research Assistant
Rutgers University Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Piscataway, NJ
10.2010 - 06.2011
- Works with a graduate student on his thesis project - involves research in carbon nanotubes and electrospinning, electrospraying, and electrowetting techniques
- Project involves searching for and analyzing journal articles in field and conducting original experiments
Research Assistant
Rutgers University Department of Physics and Astronomy
Piscataway, NJ
09.2008 - 05.2009
- Worked with High Energy Experimental Team on “b-prime” project and funded by Aresty RA Program
- Project involved programming in C++ and ROOT to organize, filter, and fit data to graphs. Data taken from simulations of predicted events that would take place in Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
- Program also involved attending extra classes/seminars with research advisor to learn the physics
- Poster and abstract was presented and published at the Undergraduate Research Symposium in April 2009
- Www.physics.rutgers.edu/hex
Education
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering
Columbia University - Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
New York, NY02.2013
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering, Physics (Equivalent to B.S.)
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ05.2011
Skills
- Strong computer skills - Ability to use Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), MatLab, Maple, CHEMCAD
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong entrepreneurship and business mindset with experience owning and running a small company
- Experienced in teaching all levels – elementary, high school, and college
- Strong leadership qualities, organizational and interpersonal skills, ability to lead a team/department
- Laboratory Skills - experience with modern physics instruments, chemistry laboratories
- Music and Theatre – years of experience teaching, directing, and playing for musical theatre shows, including choreography of dance numbers
- Teaching excellence
- Instructional leadership
- Team management
- Budget administration
- Innovative thinking
Awards / Honors
Columbia University – Teaching Assistant Excellence Award, January 2012
Rutgers University School of Engineering Graduation Speaker, May 2011
Rutgers University Academic Excellence Award, April 2009
Rutgers University Dean’s List & Scarlet Scholarship
Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar
Valedictorian - Saint Joseph High School, 2007
Presentations and Publications
- Xiaozheng Li, Roel Mercado, Sarah Berlinger, Scott Banta and Alan C. West, “Engineering Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans growth media for enhanced electrochemical processing,” AIChE Journal, 60, 4008-4013 (2014).
- Xiaozheng Li, Roel Mercado, Timothy Kernan, Alan C. West and Scott Banta, “Addition of Citrate to Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Cultures Enables Precipitate-Free Growth at Elevated pH and Reduces Ferric Inhibition,” Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 111, 1940 (2014).
- Mercado, Roel D.; Ronan, Edward; Schnetzer, Stephen. Searching for the Existence of Fourth Generation Quarks (April 2009, Poster Presentation at Aresty Undergraduate Research Symposium).
Related Experience
Saint Joseph Theatre Company - Music Director & Rehearsal Pianist, 01/2008 - 08/2010, 09/2014 - Present
- Responsible for teaching and directing elements of high school productions
- Work involves acting as a pianist and teaching students how to read and to sing songs effectively
- Responsible for teaching students the values and lessons of theatre and acting
- Administrative work also involves budgeting for productions and marketing/advertising campaigns
Timeline
Science Department Chair
Saint Joseph High School
08.2017 - Current
Teacher of Mathematics – Algebra I & II, Geometry
Saint Joseph High School
09.2015 - 08.2017
Co-Founder / Owner, Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Operations Manager
The Escape Plan LLC
08.2015 - 11.2021
Researcher
Columbia University, SEAS Department of Chemical Engineering
09.2011 - 01.2014
Research Assistant
Rutgers University Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
10.2010 - 06.2011
Research Assistant
Rutgers University Department of Physics and Astronomy
09.2008 - 05.2009
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering, Physics (Equivalent to B.S.)
Rutgers University
Master of Science - Chemical Engineering
Columbia University - Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science