Marc Snell

Ergonomist, Health & Safety Professional, Data Scientist, Researcher

Ergonomic Specialist & Product Owner at the BMW Group

Statement of Purpose:
I have a passion for optimizing processes, workplaces, and human-task interactions through the use of modern, digital technologies and scientific methods.

Short Bio:
Dr. Marc Snell is an ergonomics specialist at the BMW Group in Munich, Germany and has extensive experience in the fields of ergonomics, biomechanics, work physiology, force measurement and evaluation, and workplace safety and health. He is also the principal and founder of ergonomos CS UG. He holds bachelor degrees in biochemistry and mathematics from the College of Wooster, a PhD in Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics from Virginia Tech, and is a certified European Ergonomist (Eur.Erg.).

Curriculum Vitae | Resume

Post-Graduate

Ergonomic Specialist & Product Owner, BMW Group, Munich, Germany
July 2017 - current

  • Product Owner and project lead and development of underlying scientific methods and calculations, development of complete system function, test management, and cooperation with a development team in an agile software project for the whole BMW Group for digital assessments of hazards and stresses at production workplaces
  • Chair of the international expert circle for all ergonomic issues across the BMW Group
  • Technical project lead on the first fully automated and digital ergonomics assessment in the automobile industry
  • Research, development, and validation of complex algorithms for automated sensor data processing and identification of body postures and body forces
  • Steering budget and investment costs for a whole main department level
  • Longstanding work and deep understanding in agile software development, including completion of the PSM I, Professional SCRUM Master certification and managing various agile development processes
  • Carrying out, publishing , and presenting research and deliverables to high-level management, external conferences, and scientific journals
  • Developing and presenting trainings and various forms of media regarding expert- and technical-level knowledge for various ergonomic topics using videos, newsletters, and presentations.
  • Primarily responsible for research, testing, purchasing, and steering the use of all modern and digital physiological measurement tools in the BMW Group
  • Organisation, participation, and communication regarding international and national expert committees and an annual international ergonomics conference
  • Deep knowledge and active participation in the receruitment process, followed by onboarding, mentoring, and evaluation of doctoral, masters, and bachelor students and interns

Principal & Founder, ergonomos CS UG, Munich, Germany
November 2022 - current

  • Managerial duties
  • Ergonomoics evaluations at office workstations for multinational corporations
  • Finances, taxes, and business growth

Consultant, ALTEN Technology GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
April 2017 - June 2017

  • Documented quality defects at Airbus, in the A350XWB
  • Authored SOIs (Standard Operating Instructions) for the A319/320/321

Managing Engineer, JFAssociates Inc., Vienna, VA
September 2016 - February 2017

  • Provided expertise in ergonomics, workplace safety, work measurement, and optimization in a variety of industries
  • Performed detailed multivariable analysis and reporting for numerous projects
  • Managed junior team members by delegating responsibilities and establishing deadlines
  • Authored high quality reports for clients presenting project outcomes
  • Co-authored requests for proposals to numerous Fortune 500 companies
  • Managed company website (http://jfa-inc.com/)
  • Authored scientific and popular media papers regarding our work

Senior Engineer, JFAssociates Inc., Vienna, VA
April 2016 - September 2016

  • Provided expertise in ergonomics, workplace safety, work measurement, and optimization
  • Provided detailed multivariable analysis and reporting for numerous projects
  • Worked closely with junior team members by sharing responsibilities working within deadlines
  • Produced high quality reports for clients presenting project outcomes
  • Managed company website (http://jfa-inc.com/)
  • Authored scientific and popular media papers regarding our work

Engineer, JFAssociates Inc., Vienna, VA
May 2014 - April 2016

  • Collected, analyzed, and reported on data in a timely and reliable fashion
  • Acted as translator on projects with German clients
  • Managed and designed websites for company (JFA - jfa-inc.com) and affiliated societies (ISOES - isoes.info and SISE - ieworldconferece.org
  • Organized websites and papers for conferences (SISE - West Point 2015, SISE - Nuevo Leon 2015, ISOES - Nashville 2015, SISE - Ft. Lauderdale 2015)
  • Co-authored successful responses for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for ergonomic and time study projects worth over $100,000

Graduate

NIOSH Training Fellow, Industrial & Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
May 2012 - May 2014

  • Awarded competitive fellowship for monthly stipend ($1,836) and tuition.
  • Conducting three studies for dissertation related to biomarkers and their use in assessing work-related musculoskeletal disorder risk
  • Planned, wrote, and executed biosafety plan with Health and Safety for research 

Graduate Research Assistant, Industrial & Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
May 2011 - August 2011

  • Investigated the effect of axial loads on the spine, on biomarkers of cartilage and muscle injury
  • Assisted with other studies concerning repeated lower back flexion and wall panel lifting

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Industrial & Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
August 2010 - May 2012

  • Classes: Work Measurement (2x), Engineering Economy, and Industrial Ergonomics
  • Taught lectures, led laboratory exercises, graded homework/exams, and held regular office hours

Undergraduate

Mathematical Modeling Teaching Assistant, Mathematics Department, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH
January 2010 - May 2010

  • Assisted students in weekly computational modeling exercises using MATLAB
  • Provided office hours for students for homework assistance

Research Intern, Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Wooster OH
May 2009 - August 2009

  • Managed two projects under Dr. Parwinder Grewal, Dr. Ruisheng An, and Dr. Xiaodong Bai for 10 weeks
  • Prepared research proposal, presentations, and reports concerning all the research performed
  • Mentored younger researchers on basic techniques and assisted with implementations

Organic Chemistry Teaching Assistant, Chemistry Department, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH
August 2008 - May 2010

  • Assisted in weekly lab with about 20 students by grading, finding resources, answering questions, and addressing safety concerns
  • Trained to operate and analyze data using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Gas Chromatography (GC), Infrared Spectroscopy, and GC-Mass Spectroscopy

Building Security Monitor, Chemistry Department, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH
August 2008 - May 2010

  • Received formal safety training on emergency protocols, waste disposal, and lab techniques
  • Provided safe working environment for chemistry students by performing walkthroughs, observing reactions, etc.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Intern, Biochemistry Department, The College of Wooster, Wooster OH
May 2008 - August 2008

  • Worked on research with the chair of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department
  • Prepared research proposal, presentations, and reports concerning all the research performed
  • Co-edited a conference poster with advisor

Resident Assistant, Residence Life, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH
August 2007 - May 2010

  • Acted as safety, counseling, and administrative assistant for 30+ students annually
  • Worked successfully in ‘house’, large dormitory and specialized language hall settings
  • Provided regular educational activities and weekly meetings for the residents within a constrained budget
  • Performed regular ‘on call’ rounds and provided 24hr telephone assistance for 100+ students
  • Trained in student counseling, administrative tasks, and conflict mediation.

Departmental Assistant, German Department, The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH
August 2006 - May 2010

  • Performed versatile duties such as photocopying, organizing events, hosting coffee-hour, etc.
  • Created and maintained departmental website

High School

Work Crew (Director), The International School of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
August 2004 - August 2006

  • Performed various forms of physical labor as needed for individuals, setting up events, catering, etc.
  • Distributed work between and managed 3 other Work Crew members

Professional

PSPO I, Professional Scrum Product Owner 
December 2023

Scrum.org
PSM I, Professional Scrum Master 
December 2021

Scrum.org
MicroBachelors, Introduction to Databases 
August 2020 - December 2020

New York University (edX)
Machine Learning Certificate
January 2020 - April 2020

Microsoft (edX)
Sicherheitsfachkraft (Safety Professional)
April 2018 - August 2019

Berufsgenossenschaft Holz & Metal (BGHM), Germany
MicroMasters, Supply Chain Management
January 2016 - June 2017

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (edX)

Graduate

PhD, Industrial & Systems Engineering - Human Factors Engineering & Ergonomics, May 2014
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA, USA
Dissertation Title: Biomarkers of Physiological Damage and their Potential for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorder Risk Assessment
Advisor: Dr. Maury Nussbaum

Undergraduate

BS, Mathematics, May 2010
The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA
Honors Independent Study Title: Differential Gene Expression of H. Bacteriophora TT01 in Response to Heat Stress
Advisor: Dr. Jim Hartman
BS, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, May 2010
The College of Wooster, Wooster, OH, USA
Honors Independent Study Title: Differential Gene Expression of H. Bacteriophora TT01 in Response to Heat Stress
Advisor: Dr. William Morgan

High School

International Baccalaureate, May 2006
The International School of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Higher-level subjects: Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, English A1

Publications


I recommend you look at my Google Scholar citations.

Due to copyright, I may not provide the full-text of my journal articles on this website. I may, however, distribute them via email. So, please contact me if you would like a copy. Thanks!

Peer Reviewed

Snell, M., Dehghani, A., Günzkofer, F., Schreyer, K., & Kaltenbrunner, S. (2023). Digital workplace stress management: a system for digital ergonomics assessment in the BMW group. Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft.
( Full text )

Snell, M., Dehghani, A., Guenzkofer, F., Kaltenbrunner, S., & Brombach, J. (2022). Validation of an Ergonomics Assessment Method and Identification of Focus Areas through Development of a Novel Statistical Approach for Aggregated Data. Industrial and Systems Engineering Review, 1-9.
( Full text )

Conference Papers

Snell, M. (2023). Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Automotive Manufacturing. Paper presented at the The XXXVth Annual International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference, Munich, Germany, 58-61.
( Full text )

Snell, M., Dehghani, A., Günzkofer, F., Schreyer, K., & Kaltenbrunner, S. (2022). Digital Workplace Stress Management: A System for Digital Ergonomics Assessment in the BMW Group. Paper presented at the The XXXIVth Annual International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference, Online, 69-71.
( Full text )

Vogel, S. K., Brieden, A., Dehghani, A., & Snell, M. (2022). Systematic Literature Review: Predictive Safety Management in the Automotive Industry. Paper presented at the DOKBAT 2022 - 18th International Bata Conference for Ph.D. Students and Young Researchers, Czech Republic, 468-480.
( Full text )

Snell, M., Dehghani, A., Guenzkofer, F., Schreyer, K., & Kaltenbrunner, S. (2022). Digital Workplace Stress Management: Ein Projekt zur digitalen Ergonomiebewertung in der BMW Group. Paper presented at the 68. Frühjahrskongress der Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft , Online, A.5.8.
Paper received "Best in Session" award     
( Full text )

Snell, M., Dehghani, A., Günzkofer, F., & Kaltenbrunner, S. (2021). Safety and Ergonomics Risk Assessment (SERA): A Customized Ergonomics Assessment Tool for Automobile Manufacturing. Paper presented at the XXXIIIrd Annual International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference, Online, 69-73.
( Full text )

Dehghani, A., Snell, M., Günzkofer, F., Kaltenbrunner, S., & Fendekova, E. (2021). SERA: A Digital Risk Management Tool as the Basis of OSHM. Paper presented at the International Conference at the Brno University of Technology, Online, 57-67.
( Full text )

Hefferle, M., Snell, M., & Kluth, K. (2020). Influence of Two Industrial Overhead Exoskeletons on Perceived Strain - A Field Study in the Automotive Industry. Paper presented at the International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics, San Diego, CA, Springer, 94-100.
( Full text )

Popular Media

Günzkofer, F., Snell, M., Dehghani, A., & Schreyer, K. (2022). Digital Workplace Stress Management (DWSM): Digitale Ergonomiebewertung bei der BMW Group. Arbeitsmedizin Sozialmedizin Umweltmedizin (ASU)
( Full text)

Skills

Below you can find a non-comprehensive list of my skills applicable to my industrial engineering background and current job. If you would like to see examples of these skills you can find those on my portfolio page. For questions, please contact me.

Ergonomics
  • Workplace evaluations and assessments:
    • Ergonomics
    • Physical capacity
    • Force measurement and evaluation
    • Auditory/noise assessments
    • Lighting assessments
  • Models:
    • MONKRAS (montagespezifischer Kraftatlas)
    • LMM (Leitmerkmalmethoden)
    • EAWS (Ergonomic Assessment Worksheet)
    • NIOSH Lifting Equation
    • RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment)
    • REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment)
    • Borg CR-10
    • ...and many others
Applied Physiology
  • Biomechanics
  • Work physiology (muscle use, fatigue, and damage)
  • Workplace physical demands and limitations
  • Biomarkers related to physiological pamage
  • Individual differences and risk factors
  • Data collection tools:
    • EMG (Electromygraphy)
    • NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy)
    • Force gauges
    • Dynamometers
    • Heart Rate
    • ...and many others
Health and Safety
  • Compliance audit and evaluation
  • Epidemiology of workplace illnesses and disorders
  • Developing proactive health and safety programs
  • Industry experience: healthcare, manufacturing, research laboratory, food processing, food service, and many others
Agile Development
  • Writing user stories
  • Sprint and backlog management
  • Leading international user feedback meetings
  • Functional testing and defect management
  • Programs: HP-ALM, JIRA, Confluence, ITSM
Statistical Analysis & Data Modelling
  • Multivariate & non-parametric models
  • Linear and non-linear regressions
  • Cross-validated machine learning models
  • Programs: SAS, JMP, Minitab, SPSS, R, Maple
  • Experimental Design: Factorial, response surface, repeated measures
Computer Programming
  • MATLAB
  • Perl
  • SQL
Web Design
  • HTML
  • CSS3
  • Dreamweaver CC
Graphic Design / Video Editing
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • GIMP
Languages
  • English
  • German

Professional Organizations

National Accreditation Board (GfA, Germany)
Center for Registration of European Ergonomists, October 2021 - present
Webmaster
Center for Registration of European Ergonomists, October 2021 - present
European-Ergonomist (Eur.Erg.)
Center for Registration of European Ergonomists, June 2017 - present
Member
Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft (GfA), June 2017 - present
Webmaster 
International Society for Occupational Ergonomics and Safety, July 2016 - present
President 
International Society for Occupational Ergonomics and Safety, August 2022 - October 2023
Newsletter Editor 
International Society for Occupational Ergonomics and Safety, July 2016 - October 2023
Member
International Society for Occupational Ergonomics and Safety, May 2013 - present
Member
Phi Kappa Phi - Graduate Honor Society, December 2012 - present
Member
Human Factors & Ergonomic Society, National Chapter, August 2010 - August 2017
Associate Ergonomic Professional (AEP)
Board of Certified Professional Ergonomists (Cert. 2032), May 2015 - May 2017

Honors & Awards

Graduate Fellowship
Virginia Tech, August 2010 - May 2011
Honors Senior Thesis
The College of Wooster, May 2010
Vivien Chan Prize in Interdisciplinary Sciences
The College of Wooster, April 2010
Foster Prize in Mathematics
The College of Wooster, April 2010

Service

Volunteer Animal Care Technician
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, November 2015 - March 2017
Treasurer
Human Factors & Ergonomic Society, Local Chapter, November 2011 - January 2014
President
Badminton Club at Virginia Tech, August 2010 - May 2014

Contact Me

[email protected] ( PGP )
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ResearchGate

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