Institute of Geography
Laura Comeau
Institute of Geography
School of Geosciences
University of Edinburgh
Drummond Street
Edinburgh EH8 9XP
Profile:
Currently a PhD candidate in geosciences at The University of Edinburgh, entering third year of study. Graduate with a BSc.(Hons) in Geography from The University of Nottingham, and a Masters of Science in Geography at The National Hydrology Research Institute from The University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Research focus is on the impact of climate variations on cold regions hydrology. Published research in scientific journals and Government reports, and presented research at a number of academic conferences in both poster and oral presentation format.
Glacier and snow fieldwork experience in isolated Arctic locations in Canada, Norway and Sweden, and assistant teaching of undergraduate students both in the classroom and on fieldtrips to Iceland. Experience working on own initiative and as part of a team in a wide range of environments including instructing outdoor education in Thailand, and volunteer work in both the UK and Kenya. Reliable, hardworking, quick to learn, sociable and friendly.
Education:
2008 - present PhD candidate in the School of Geosciences at
The University of Edinburgh
2006 - 2008 Masters of Science in Geography at the Centre for Hydrology,
The University of Saskatchewan, Canada
2002 - 2005 BSc.(Hons) in Geography at The University of Nottingham 2.1
1995 - 2002 Devonport High School for Girls
4 GCE A Levels: English Literature [A], Biology [A], Geography [A],
General Studies [A]
1 GCE As Level: Mathematics [A]
10 GCSEs: Geography[A*], English Literature[A], Mathematics[A*]
History[A*], English Language[A], French[A*], Combined Science[A* A*], Italian[A]
Food Technology[A*]
Work Experience:
Tutor and Demonstrator in Department of Geography,
University of Edinburgh Jan 09 - present
Preparing and leading geomorphology tutorials and demonstrating for statistics classes of undergraduate students. Assistant on undergraduate physical geography fieldwork course to Iceland, included cooking and catering, off-road driving and glacier work.
Research Assistant to Alain Pietroniro, National Hydrology Research Institute, Canada 1st June 07 – 1st Nov 2008
Work on a project funded by Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS) and IP3 as part of my Masters thesis researching glacier contribution to streamflow. Job included contributions to published Government reports.
Teaching Assistant for Rod Johnson, Department of Geography,
University of Saskatchewan, Canada 1st Sept 06 - 30th May 07
Teaching two undergraduate physical geography laboratory classes each week with a total of 60 students. The job included preparation of materials, instructing each class, marking papers, and helping individual students during office hours.
Outdoor Education Instructor and Geography Teaching Assistant,
Maekok River Village Resort, Mae Ai, Thailand 20th Sept 05 – 20th July 06
Part of a team of instructors of different nationalities teaching students from International and local Thai schools outdoor pursuits such as jungle trekking, bamboo rafting, climbing, and various games. Assistant leading of community projects in local underprivileged schools. Teaching assistant for GCSE and A level geography students conducting field studies of local fluvial systems, migration patterns, quality of life indicators and agriculture.
Sales Worker at Acushnet Ltd, St.Ives Cambridgeshire (June – Sept 05)
Bar Staff at The Ship Inn, Oundle, Cambridgeshire (June – Sept 05)
Catering Assistant at Nottingham Tennis Centre, Nottingham (June 04)
Volunteer Homeless Soup Run Worker, Nottingham (Dec 02 - June 04)
Bar Staff at The Leaping Salmon Pub, Horrabridge, Devon (Aug 03/ July 04)
Assembly Worker at Symphonix Limited, Mission, Huntingdon (June – Aug 02/03)
Head Waitress at The Leaping Salmon Pub, Devon (Sept 00 – Aug 02)
Assistant Leader at Yelverton Brownie Group, Devon (Sept 99 – March 00)
Nursery Assistant at Busy Bees Day Nursery, Plymouth, Devon (Sept 99)
Personal Details:
Date of Birth: 4th July 1984
Marital Status: Single
Nationality: British
Driving License: Full, clean
Published papers
· Comeau,L., Pietroniro,A. and Demuth,M.N. (2009) 'Glacier Contribution to the North and South Saskatchewan Rivers'. Hydrological Processes, 23, 2640-2653.
· Demuth, M.N., Pinard, V., Pietroniro, A., Luckman, B.H., Hopkinson, C., Dornes, P. and Comeau, L. 2008. Recent and past-century variations in the glacier resources of the Canadian Rocky Mountains – Nelson River System. In - Mountain glaciers and climate changes of the last century. Special 10th Anniversary Issue Terra Glacialis 11 (248):27-52.
Oral Conference presentations
· ‘Snow, landscape and people: modelling snow distribution in the landscape and its implications for human activities’. Laura Comeau, Andrew Dugmore, Richard Essery, Andrew Casely. Univeristy of Edinburgh School of Geosciences Graduate conference, 30th January – 1st february 2009.
· Oral Presentations at Leverhulme and NABO meetings and workshops throughout 2009, 2010.
Masters glacier hydrology research:
· Canadian Geophysical Union Conference, Banff, May 2008
· Canadian Geophysical Union Student Prairie Hydrology Conference, Saskatoon, January 2008
· Canadian Water Resources Association 60th Annual National Conference, Saskatoon, June 2007
Poster Conference presentations
· ‘Modelling human-snow interactions in the Arctic’, Laura Comeau, Andrew Dugmore, Richard Essery, Andrew Casely. UKPN Cryosphere Science Workshop, University of Sheffield, 4-6th November 2010.
· Modelling snow-landscape interactions with limited data’, Laura Comeau, Andrew Dugmore, Richard Essery, UKPN Arctic Sediments Workshop, University of Loughborough, 23-24th March 2010.
Masters glacier hydrology research:
· Canadian Geophysical Union-CMOS-AGU Congress, St.Johns, Newfoundland, April 2007
· IP3 Workshop, Waterloo, Ontario, November 2007.
Achievements
· Physical Geography representative: University of Edinburgh, School of Geosciences Graduate student committee 2009-2010
· Physical Geography seminar series organiser 2009-2010
· Social secretary University of Edinburgh Chorus committee 2009-2010
· Fieldwork/Outdoor First Aid course qualification (2009 to present)
· Treasurer for University of Saskatchewan Geography Graduate Students Association (2006 - 07)
· Sports injuries emergency First Aid course (2005 – 2008)
· Fixture Secretary for Nottingham University Ladies Hockey Club (Sept 2003 – March 2004)
· Community Sports Leadership Award (March 2001)
· Duke of Edinburgh Award, Silver and Bronze levels (2000-2002)
· School certificate of Achievement of Excellence (1999)
Interests:
I love to read extensively in my spare time and take pleasure in being part of music group that practices regularly and performs. I enjoy being active and participating in a variety of sporting activities both competitive and recreational. I also take pleasure in travelling and working abroad and have taken part in language exchange trips to France and Italy as well as music and sports scout tours to various European countries. In addition I have spent time volunteering for an aid project in a Kenyan slum (2002), completed fieldwork for both undergraduate and post-graduate research in Italy, Canada, Norway and Sweden, and have worked for a year at an outdoor education centre in Northern Thailand (2005-06). I enjoy taking an active role in the organisations I am involved with and have been on numerous committees organising conferences, sports teams, and social events.
Sports
· University intra-mural sports: Captain of hockey team (2009-present)
· University Co-recreation teams: Basketball, Inner-tube water polo (2006-8)
· Dance: Ballroom dance course and 2-Step country dance lessons (2007-8)
· Hockey: Captain’s Player of the Year 2005, Nottingham University Club Fixture secretary (2004-5), Captain of University team on Tour Easter 2003, Devon County Squad, Captain of School team.
· Tennis: Local town tournament winner- doubles and singles
· Athletics: Five Star Award, Shot-Putt for West Devon, 100m sprint for
Local City Area games.
· School Sports Player of the Year winner (2000).
Music
· Voice: University of Edinburgh Chorus (2009-present), University of Saskatchewan Chorus (2006-8), Nottingham University Choir: Coro Sorelle (2005), Grade 5 Examination Pass.
· Viola: University of Edinburgh Sinfonia orchestra, Grade 7 Examination passed with Merit, Devon County Orchestra, Nottingham University Orchestra, member of a Quartet.
· Piano: Grade 5 passed with Merit.
· Music Theory: Grade 5 passed with Distinction.
References on request.