Resume of Sabrina Lau

Masters of Science in Planning

Education

MSc in Planning (Environment and Urban Specialisations), University of Toronto, Canada
May 2007

BSc (Major in Environmental Sciences, Concentration in Conservation Biology), University of British Columbia, Canada
April 2004

Exchange Semester, University of Melbourne, Australia
Spring 2003

Work Experience

Research Assistant

Jan 2007 to present

University of Toronto

 


  • Conducting research on the impacts of firm relocation on employee commuting patterns and household dynamics
  • Networking and contacting large firms in the Greater Toronto Area to administer an online survey to hundreds of employees
  • Results will be analyzed and written up for publication

     

    		•
    Planning Assistant

    May 2006 to August 2006

    Strategic Planning and Policy,
    Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (TransLink)

     


  • Developed the following policy discussion papers for the long range Transport 2031 Plan:
    1. The impact of rising fuel prices on transportation and goods movement
    2. A review of goods movement best practices in other regions
    3. Alternative funding sources for capital projects
    4. Potential changes to fare policy structure
    5. Performance indicators for sustainable transportation
  • Moderated and recorded at public consultations for the South of Fraser Area Transit Plan
  • Prepared updates to the Livable Region Strategic Plan (LRSP)

     

    		•
    Research Assistant

    May 2004 to Nov 2004

    Faculty of Forestry/Liu Institute for Global Issues, UBC

     


  • Worked in a team research environment of 12 people on policy challenges related to implementing biofuel usage
  • Wrote and edited short reports, poster presentations and academic articles for publication
  • Prepared and delivered public talks on two occasions to an audience of 30-50 people

     

    		•
    Facilities Supervisor and Lifeguard

    June 2001 to Sep 2004

    University of British Columbia Aquatic Centre

     


  • Worked in a large fitness facility and national training centre with a 500-person capacity. Duties included managing lifeguards, cashiers and volunteers; running swim meets and other special events; maintaining pool chemistry; public relations and conflict resolution; lesson registration; administrative work; first aid and emergency care

     

    		•

    Other Experience

    2005-2007: Student Member, Ontario Professional Planners Institute and Canadian Institute of Planners

    2005, October 15-23: University of Toronto Japan Field Class
    This one-week exploration of Tokyo's urban planning issues was organized and sponsored by the University of Tokyo's Centre for Sustainable Urban Regeneration.

    2004-2005: Travel
    Backpacked around Singapore, South Africa, Swaziland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. I held a Working Holiday Visa for Australia, and lived in Melbourne and Queensland.

    2004: Directed Study course under the supervision of Dr. John Innes, Faculty of Forestry, UBC
    Using field data, library research, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), I assessed the conservation needs for a large area of forested land (145,000 hectares) in south-central British Columbia.

    2003: Conservation Volunteers Australia
    I stayed in an aboriginal community and removed invasive plant species from the base of Uluru/Ayer's Rock, Australia.

    2003: Travel
    Backpacked in Thailand and Malaysia en route to an exchange semester at the University of Melbourne.

    2002: Organizer (Transportation Committee & Website), UBC Sustainability Conference
    I organized a conference for the UBC community and the general public that drew 300 people.

    2001-2002: Assistant Editor, Point Newspaper, UBC
    I wrote general interest articles for a student newspaper.


    Scholarships and Awards

    2007: AECOM Founding Chairman Scholarship
    2006: Ian D. Macpherson Academic Award (awarded for high academic merit and practical problem-solving ability with respect to planning)
    2006: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada Graduate Scholarship
    2005: The Royal Bank Fellowship in Public and Economic Policy
    2005: The University of Toronto Fellowship
    2004: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Undergraduate Research Award
    2002: Hugh M Brock Education Abroad Scholarship
    2001-2004: Member, Golden Key International Honour Society
    2000: British Columbia Provincial Scholarship
    2000: British Columbia Passport to Education Scholarship
    2000: Lion's Club Scholarship

    Papers, Posters, and Presentations

    Lau, S. (2007). Towards Inclusive Public Transport: Immigrant Mothers and their Daily Mobility. Graduting requirement for the MScPl degree.

    Au, A., Kennedy, P., Lau, S., McGrath, G., Owens, L., and Sztabinski, F. (2006). Senior's Mobility Study for West Hill and L'Amoreaux. A report commissioned by the Canadian Urban Institute and available online at http://www.canurb.com/aging/pdf/PLA-1106-Seniors-Mobility-Report.pdf.

    Lau, S. (2006). Community Interaction in the City of Automobility, Presentation. Canadian Association of Planning Students Conference, 14-16 June 2006, Vancouver, Canada.

    Lau, S., Potter, K. and Sztabinski, F. (2006). Intensification and Transportation: Subway Expansion and Transit-Oriented Development in Toronto. PLA 1102 Group Report.

    Srinivasan, D., Murray, D., and Lau, S. (2005). Evaluating Public Participation in Toronto's New and Emerging Technologies, Policies and Practices Advisory Group. PLA 1105 Group Report.

    Mabee, W.E. and Lau, S. (2004) Policy Options to Support Bioethanol Production. International Energy Agency Bioenergy Task Force 39-Liquid Biofuels Newsletter, June 2004: Issue 10.

    Mabee, W.E., Berlin, A., Pan, X., Gilkes, N., Gregg, D.J., Kurabi, A., Bura, R., Tu, M., Lau, S., Xie, D., Kilburn, D. and Saddler, J.N. (2004) Progress in pretreatment and hydrolysis steps of lignocellulose-to-ethanol processes, Poster Presentation. 9th International Conference on Biotechnology in the Pulp and Paper Industry, 10-14 October 2004, Durban, South Africa.

    Mabee, W.E., Lau, S., Fraser, E.D.G. and Slaymaker, O. (2004) How much sustainability? How much security? A comparative assessment of frameworks designed to measure progress towards security and sustainable development. (In review).



    For references, please email sabrinalau82 [at] gmail.com



    HOME