Heather J.

Kennedy
CAREER OBJECTIVE I am seeking a challenging position in an innovative field where I can utilize my analytic abilities, visual creativity, strong work ethic, problem solving skills, and interpersonal and communication skills to contribute to the success of the organisation. EDUCATION

The University of Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario 09/2011 - 05/2012 Bachelor of Education, Intermediate/Senior Physics & Math Gained a theoretical insight into current pedagogical practices, course planning, & effective assessment tools. Developed & instructed several laboratory experiments, tests and a variety of assessment tools. Improved lecturing skills, effective questioning skills & classroom management techniques. Completed two months of practicum teaching at two schools in the Ottawa region. Taught grade eleven and twelve Physics and Math, and had the balanced experience of teaching grade eight Math, Science, History, and English. University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta 05/2010 - 05/2011 Doctorate Program, Astrophysics Studied for one year towards a Ph.D. in astrophysics & left to pursue a career outside of physical research. Performed statistical analysis on several large data sets from radio telescopes using software applications such as R, Excel, and Origin to examine the structure and magnitude of magnetic fields in galaxies. Learned to use newly developed data analysis software to assist in debugging and development. Developed data reduction procedures and python scripts to help analyze and image large sets of data from radio telescopes. Regularly reported research findings to members of the department through PowerPoint presentations and written reports. Gained teamwork skills through collaboration with other scientists while working on group projects. Queens University Kingston, Ontario 01/2007 - 07/2009 Masters in Science, Astrophysics Developed an understanding of the methodology and practice of scientific research from conducting grant proposals, collecting data, data analysis, script writing, and publication research. Learned to multi-task while balancing course-work, teaching duties, and thesis research. Results of a two-year research project on the structure and dynamics of neutral hydrogen in spiral galaxies were reported in a written thesis, a successful oral defense, and journal publication. Queens University Kingston, Ontario 09/2002 - 04/2006 Bachelor of Science (Honours), Physics Achieved a cumulative average of 80% in all courses taken. Awarded the Harold M. Cave Scholarship in experimental Physics (2004). Awarded the Dr. A. Vibert Scholarship in Astrophysics (2005) for highest overall grades in courses of this discipline. Completed a one-year research project on the study of molecules in the outer regions of galaxies. Research results were published in the highly regarded Astronomy & Astrophysics Journal (2007).

TEACHING & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Ottawa Carleton District School Board Occasional teacher to Secondary Schools in the Central district of Ottawa. Taught grade ten science for a semester at Cairine Wilson Secondary School. 08/2012 - Present

Statistics Canada Sarnia, Ontario 05/2011 - 08/2011 Enumerator Collected and verified numerical and qualitative data for the 2011 Census. Completed electronic government documentation for use in Statistics Canada Data Analysis. The University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta 05/2010 - 05/2011 Teachers Assistant to three professors Instructed first year math tutorial sessions, and physics laboratories for fifteen hours a week. Presented summaries of material to get the students up to date and to consolidate understanding. Helped students work through problems one-on-one and presented solutions to the class. Queens University Kingston, Ontario 01/2007 - 08/2009 Teachers Assistant to Professor J. Irwin Served as a teacher to students while instructing first and third-year physics laboratories and tutorials. Developed presenting and lecturing skills, and learned to explain complex physical theories and mathematical concepts for the audience appropriate level. Set up lab equipment and computers, and demonstrated lab procedures to the students. Gained self-taught knowledge on the operation of a vast number of mechanical, and electronic instruments, including the use of the Queens observatory. McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario 05/2006 - 12/2006 Student Research Assistant to Professor W. Harris Developed positive mentor and peer relationships while collaborating with professors and students. Statistically analyzed and modeled large sets of telescope data to search for extra-galactic dark matter using scripts and astronomy specific software. Wrote programs to help identify miscounting in automated star-counting software and developed a probability theory to estimate correction factors for such errors. The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario 05/2005 - 09/2005 Student Research Assistant to Professor W. Lennard Learned to operate two particle accelerators to perform experiments. Performed Rutherford backscattering analysis and prepared ion implanted film samples. Created Microsoft Excel files to assist with data analysis and to improve experiment efficiency. Scotia McLeod London, Ontario Data and Database Management Worked on the team of one of the top producing stock brokers in the office. Collected and managed client data in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Created several office management programs using Microsoft Excel. OTHER SKILLS & INTERESTS

05/2004 09/2004

Extensive oral and visual presentation experience with PowerPoint, document construction with Word, spreadsheet manipulation with Excel, and script writing experience in Python, R, and Linux. Maintain a drive to continuously learn new skills and current research to assist with my own understanding Possess an uncanny ability to quickly learn new software, mathematical concepts, and scientific theories.