Personal Statement

I am an MSc. candidate in the “Earth and Environmental Sciences” program at UBC Okanagan, specializing in the fields of fluvial geomorphology and ecohydrology. Already possessing experience in academic and government research, I am currently pursuing a career related to the management of freshwater resources in the Pacific Northwest.

Education

Active

Master of Science,  Expected Completion June 2020:                                                                                                                            University of British Columbia – Okanagan, Kelowna, BC

Completed

Bachelor of Science, Graduated, June 2017                                                                                                                                      University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus,  Kelowna, BC
  • Major(s): Earth & Environmental Sciences with Honours
  • Minors(s): Geography
  • Example Coursework: Fluvial Geomorphology, Applied Fluvial Geomorphology Field Techniques, Analytical Methods in Hydrology, Freshwater Resource Issues and Management, Limnology, Advance GIS, Cartography and Remote Sensing, Terrain Analysis and Flora and Fauna of Inland Waters, Population Biology, Environmental Impact Assessment, Applied Management of Mountain hazards and an Honours Thesis in Aquatic Ecology & Fluvial Geomorphology.
High School Diploma, Graduated, June 2010                                                                                                                                Clarence Fulton Secondary, Vernon, BC

Professional Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant, September 2018 – present                                                                                        University of British Columbia – Okanagan, Kelowna, BC

  • Taught the laboratory portions of the EESC/GEOG 222 – Geomorphology and EESC/GEOG 205 – Hydrology courses at UBCO.
  • This included preparation of laboratory materials, classroom instruction, marking of the lab assignments, supervision of field trips and the invigilation and marking of exams.
Summer Student, May 2018 – January 2019                                                                                                                                             BC Conservation Fund, Vernon, BC 
  • Lead author, analyst, and field technician for the “Evaluation of Temperature Sensitive Streams in the Thompson-Okanagan Region” project with the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
  • Established a network monitoring stream temperature at 53 streams in the Thompson-Okanagan Region ranging between Blue River, Osoyoos, Pemberton, and Revelstoke.

GIS Technician, October 2017 – March 2018                                                                                                                    BC Conservation Fund, Vernon, BC

  • Principal GIS technician and lead author on the “Strategic Assessment of Potential Temperature Sensitive Streams (TSS) in the Thompson Okanagan Region” project with the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
  • Designed and constructed a geospatial model in ArcGIS that strategically assessed stream temperatures for watersheds in the Thompson – Okanagan region and identified likely “Temperature Sensitive Streams”.

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, September 2016 – April 2017                                                                          University of British Columbia – Okanagan,  Kelowna, BC

  • Taught the laboratory portions of the EESC/GEOG 222 – Geomorphology and assisted with EESC 111 – Earth Science, EESC 121 – Earth History & GEOG 109 – Introduction to Physical Geography II.
  • This included preparation materials, classroom instruction, marking of the lab assignments, supervision of field trips and the invigilation and marking of exams.

Thinner May 2011 – July 2017                                                                                                                                    Pacific Regeneration Technologies (PRT) – Coldstream Nursery, Coldstream, BC

  • Was the lead thinner at the PRT Coldstream for the last five of the six years employed there.
  • Was responsible for the removal of excess tree seedlings and replanting where germination failed, in addition to other general duties and packing of year-old stock for shipment to planters

 Assistant Coach and Tournament Organizer – Volunteer March 2008 – June 2014                                            Okanagan Freestyle and School District 22. Fencing Clubs, Vernon, BC

  • Coached both recreational and competitive fencers, ages 8+, leading both drills, on – piste instruction and both groups and individual lessons.
  • Traveled with the high-performance team members on several occasions for major competition within the province.
  • Participated in refereeing, hosting and event organization at regional competitions.

Peer-reviewed Publications

MacDuff, A., Bauer, B.O., 2018. Urban stream geomorphology and salmon repatriation in Lower Vernon Creek, British Columbia (Canada). In: Thornbush, M.J., Allen, C.D. (Eds.), Urban Geomorphology: Landforms and Processes in Cities. Elsevier, San Diego, (Chapter 5).

Non-Peer Reviewed Publications

MacDuff, A., Whitehouse, R., St-Pierre, C., 2018. A Strategic Assessment of Potential Temperature Sensitive Streams (TSS) in the Thompson Okanagan Region. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and rural development, Kamloops.

MacDuff, A., Whitehouse, R., St-Pierre, C., 2019. An Evaluation of Temperature Sensitive Streams in the Thompson-Okanagan Region. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and rural development, Kamloops. 

Conference Presentations

UBC Graduate Studies in Earth & Environmental Sciences Symposium (2019): Predicting Salmonid Habitat Potential using the 2D Channel Morphology – Southern Interior of British Columbia

Environmental Flow Needs Conference (2018): A Strategic Assessment of Potential Temperature Sensitive Streams (TSS) in the Thompson Okanagan Region

UBC Graduate Studies in Earth & Environmental Sciences Symposium (2017): Urban stream geomorphology and salmon repatriation in Lower Vernon Creek, British Columbia (Canada)

UBC Undergraduate Research Conference (2016): An Assessment of Sockeye Salmon Habitat Potential in Lower Vernon Creek, BC

Academic Awards

2018 – Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship

2016 – Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship for Continuing Students

2015 – Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship for Continuing Students

2014 – Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship for Continuing Students

2012 – Chancellor’s Scholar award

Certifications

  • BC Class 5 Driver’s License
  • “Geoscientist-In-Training” with the BC Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists.
  • OFA Level 1.

Other Skills & Assets

  • Twenty-three years of outdoor experience in and around the lakes, streams and mountains of Southern BC and Alberta.
  • A very strong background in the disciplines of Geomorphology, Hydrology and Aquatic Ecology.
  • Experienced in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Proficient with the geographical and hydrological modelling programs SEFA, HEC-RAS, HEC- SSP and Arc-GIS.
  • Familiar with the use of the statistical software program “r”.
  • Excellent technical writing skills and comfortable interacting with the public.
  • Very strong interpersonal skills and works well both independently and in teams.
  • Experienced in maintaining a wide range of equipment, from computers, canoes, and cars.
  • Physically fit and very comfortable spending long hours in the field, in all weather conditions.

Extra Curricular Activities

  • Fly fishing (including custom fly tying and rod building), flat water canoeing and alpine skiing are major passions of mine.
  • Other major hobbies include: photography, sketching, trail running, cross country skiing and formerly cross-country mountain biking.
  • Was active for over 9 years in the fencing community of BC as both an athlete and coach.
  • A founding member of the Trout Unlimited – Okanagan chapter.

Extra Curricular Accomplishments

  • Assistant coach to several medalists at the BC Provincial Fencing Championships and Western Canadian Fencing Championships, with both the Okanagan Freestyle and Vernon Fencing clubs.
  • Two-time BC provincial fencing medalist: Bronze for 2010 U20 Men’s Epee and 2009 U17 Men’s Epee.
  • Okanagan High School fencing champion 2010 and Senior Men’s silver medalist.
  • Invited to join the Junior National Fly-Fishing Team in 2009.

References

Ryan Whitehouse

Supervisor and RPBio with the BC Ministry of Forests,  Natural Resources Operations, and Rural Development in Kamloops                                                                         Email: Ryan.Whitehouse@gov.bc.ca    Tel: (250) 371- 6305

Bernard Bauer

Thesis Supervisor and Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at UBC Okanagan                                                                                                                                                  Email: bernard.bauer@ubc.ca

Jeff Curtis

Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at UBC Okanagan                                                                                                                                                                                                   Email: jeff.curtis@ubc.ca