I am currently pursuing my Masters in Computer Science at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, where I work with Drs Yvonne Coady and Nigel Horspool.

 

I received my BSc. in Computer Science Honours from the University of Victoria, Canada in 2010, graduating with distinction. My current research interests include parallel design patterns and computer science education. My interest in education has led me to pursue multiple teaching positions, as both a teaching assistant and sessional instructor.

 

Masters Thesis

 

My Masters thesis is titled "Visualizing Patterns: A Uniform Representation of Parallel Design Patterns". I am attempting to augment a parallel pattern language with a set of tools that are both visual and interactive. These tools will help to guide novice users through the patterns, and assist them with the software design process.

 

These tools are based upon an abstract structure that I have developed (HiLPR: the High-Level Pattern Representation) which organizes the information contained in a design pattern into a set structure that spans the entire pattern language. This structure should also allow us to better understand how patterns interact with each other.

 

Awards and Scholarships

1. 2010-2011: University of Victoria Fellowship
2. 2010: Computer Science Graduation Medal - Top Graduating Average
3. 2010: NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) - Dr. Yvonne Coady
4. 2009: NSERC USRA - Dr. Yvonne Coady
5. 2009: Canadian Distributed Mentorship Project Award (CDMP)
6. 2008-2009: Computer Research Association's Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research (CRA-W) Collaborative Research Experience Award for Undergraduates (CREU)
7. 2008: NSERC USRA - Dr. Amy Gooch
8. 2008: Canadian Distributed Mentorship Project Award
9. 2005: University of Saskatchewan Entrance Scholarship

 

Outreach Activities

 

I strongly believe in supporting the community that I work in, and as such, have taken part in a variety of outreach activities at the University of Victoria. I have been part of Experience UVic, where I spoke with incoming university students about our computer science program. I have also assisted with Mini-U, which is a program for aboriginal high school students from remote communities around British Columbia. This past year, I was invited to take part in the Indigenous Adult Orientation, which included an orientation session for adult students returning to school after a hiatus.

 

At the University of Saskatchewan (where I took two years of classes before transfering to Victoria), I was an assistant for Digitized, a one-day conference for high school students considering careers in information technology. I was also active in the debate society, holding an elected position on their executive in my second year, which made me responsible for managing two large tournaments.