Christian Sonekan

#*, **** ******* ****, **

Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2M 4K2

Ph: + (1-587-***-****

Email: dxss7s@r.postjobfree.com

Web address: www.businessworkforce.com/csonekan

Junior-level Environmental Professional/Scientist/Technician

Over 20 yrs of strong track record of successfully executing various projects within defined cost & time parameters.

Proactive, technically-oriented, Civil Engineering Research Assistant (Physical Science/Engineering Modelling, Lake Hydrodynamics): Master of Science in Environmental Studies, USA; Postgraduate Diploma in Operational Hydrology; Postgraduate Diploma in Meteorology; 10 years Meteorologist experience; Bachelor of Science in Physics; Certificate in Project Management, Canada

Professionalism: Leveraged valuable insights, keen analysis and team approach to implement best practices, adept at working in high pressure environments with strict deadlines and multiple deliverables: Committed to increasing productivity and profitability to ensure business success and enterprise expansion: Willing to go the extra mile; good database and analytical skills. Achieved project milestones; calm in stressful situations

Expertise: Demonstrated expertise and strong background in Physics, Earth and Environmental Science with proven skills in analysis, problem solving, coordination and an ability to develop productive working relationships with managers, advisors, colleagues and all employees. Exhibits good work ethic & time management

Communication: A decision maker, well organized & resourceful, effective team member to meet organizational objects. True team leader cum facilitator and acknowledged trouble-shooter. Interpersonal and management skills with ability to handle multiple tasks; shares information with clarity; speaks and writes effectively

Planning and Organizing: Pragmatic approach to life and adaptive to any situation. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, multitasking with an ability to interact with a wide range of people. Ability to establish priorities and to monitor own work; commitment to continuous learning-Initiative and willingness to learn new skills and flexibility to changes in assignment. Teamwork: Ability to work in diverse cultural environment

Major Accomplishments

Established credibility as a dependable performer by consistently exceeding defined team objectives and contributing creative inputs

Track record of successfully developing & streamlining systems with ability to enhance operational effectiveness and meet the operational goals

Instrumental in implementing projects, negotiating schedules, change requests, scope of work and leading issues through to resolution

Impeccable history in delivering assignments to the highest quality and successfully handling multiple disciplinary sectors over a tight time frame

Career Progression

Research Assistant, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada Sep 2008 – Sep 2010

Key Responsibilities:

Entrusted with handling applied one-dimensional hydrodynamic numerical model DYRESM (Dynamic Reservoir Simulation Model) to study impact of climate change on water quality (hypoxia, anoxia, eutrophication, etc) in Hamilton Harbour and Lake Simcoe, Ontario

Accountable for reviewing scientific and engineering hydrodynamic research publications for information on mathematical concepts, algorithms/ hydrodynamic principles applied to simulation/ modelling of inland waters

Actively involved in compiling daily data on incoming solar radiation, incoming long-wave radiation, surface air temperature, surface wind speed, surface vapour pressure and rainfall in order to build climate files for simulation computer software: Managed large data sets (over 10 year hourly data)

Compiled vertical water temperature profile daily data for lakes and a reservoir, gathering surface hydrology and flow data for streams/ rivers that discharge into lakes/ reservoir, for input into modelling software program

Mapped requirements, researching the internet, school libraries and personal communications with external scientists and engineers to obtain parameters/ special data for input into modelling software program

Studied literature on modelling software DYRESM (Dynamic Reservoir Simulation Model) and run test simulations using historical data – sub-daily data converted to daily data using Matlab program codes

Run actual simulations using data within time interval of interest (daily data from 1999 to 2008); utilizing DYRESM and MODELER software to visualize model output

Accurately computed calculations using MATLAB software, writing MATLAB programs to calculate dependent variables of interest

Designed MATLAB programs to generate figures of lake thermal temporal evolution and calculating root mean square error. Compared actual lake figures with simulated lake figures to determine degree of match: Accomplished model validation to ensure model is suitable for climate change impact studies

Measured degree of match quantitatively and objectively using root mean square error. Designed and created poster for display at the International Association of Great Lakes Research Conference, 2010, Toronto; made a public poster presentation at the conference

Determined that DYRESM is able to simulate the vertical temperature and thermodynamic features of inland waters; so that the software can be used to study the impact of climate change on inland waters

Sample Technician Dec 2006 – Sep 2008

Dean Stark, AGAT Laboratories Ltd., Calgary, Alberta (Contract)

Key Responsibilities:

Timely retrieved field core samples from storage to cutting platform using pallet jacks. Loaded core tubes on machine for slicing lengthwise to facilitate easy sampling, sorted and arranged cut samples for further processing

Homogenized and prepared samples for laboratory (Dean Stark) analysis. Arranged and tagged samples in test tubes for set-up in Dean Stark room

Set up samples in Dean Stark room and after cooking, collected water for further analysis and retrieved wet samples for drying, weighed samples after drying; weighed water collected

Entered data into database in MS Excel format. Wrote report on activities at end of shift. Cleaned work area and maintained neat and safe workplace

Sample Technician Oct 2006 - Dec 2006

Maxxam Analytics, Calgary, Alberta (Short Term Contract)

Key Responsibilities:

Actively assisted clients who brought in samples for analysis with paperwork – Chain of Custody

Managed water and soil sample chemical and physical information for further analysis

Moved samples from indoor to outdoor storage and vice versa. Retrieved samples from outdoor storage for chemical and physical re-analysis

Sorted and discarded outdated samples; attended in-house training on lab safety. Maintained cleanliness for safe work environment; managed sample data in Excel format

Physics Laboratory Instructor Aug 1997 – Aug 1999

University of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Key Responsibilities:

Provided assistance to the Principal Research Investigator to set up portable electronic weather station and collected data. Analysed and reviewed Introductory Laboratory Undergraduate Physics Manual

Prepared notes, tested laboratory experimental set-up apparatus for integrity. Performed own trial experiments

Taught class (average of 15 students) for about 30 minutes; demonstrated experiments

Supervised students’ ongoing experiments, assisted with guidance and suggestions (2.5 hours). Provided students with information and support on developing scientific lab report-writing skills. Graded students’ lab work and reported grades to the examinations department at end of semester

Key Responsibilities:

Instructed college introductory laboratory physics class - average 18 students, SC, USA

Operational Meteorologist Jan 1989 – Dec 1999

Ghana Meteorological Service, Accra, Ghana

Key Responsibilities:

Analyzed and interpreted data from land based meteorological stations, Doppler radar, European and World Meteorological Organization satellite imagery covering Northwest Africa and Southern Europe

Produced 1-week duration weather forecasts. Prepared weather forecasts for the general public and for the aviation, marine, agriculture, construction, tourism and fishing industries

Disseminated weather forecasts and reports to the general public through radio, television, print and the internet

Conducted research and provided consultation services on the processes and determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather and climate, atmospheric dispersion, and physical and chemical transformation of pollutants: Provided explanations of meteorological phenomena

Developed and tested mathematical models of weather and climate for experimental and operational use

Analyzed the impact of industrial projects and human activity on the climate and quality of the air and worked with social science, engineering and economic communities to develop appropriate mitigation strategies

Participated in studies of the effect of weather on the environment

Provided consultation and advice to outside agencies, professionals and researchers regarding the use and interpretation of climatological information

Made scientific presentations, published reports, articles and popular texts for specialist users or the general public: participated in regular weekly in-house weather discussion to generate weather for public consumption

Participated in erection of outdoor automatic weather station for meteorological data collection, remote sensing or for related applications: Learned standard operating procedures of meteorological briefer position

Routinely analyzed and diagnosed Numerical Weather Prediction models for input to weather forecast process

Maintained a continuous weather watch by monitoring surface observations, radar and satellite data

Disseminated weather briefing materials including weather watches, warnings and forecasts

Trained at Regional World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Centre at the University of Nairobi: Courses included: Synoptic Meteorology, Atmospheric Dynamics, Tropical Meteorology, Hydrometeorology, Statistics

Studied and interpreted synoptic weather reports, maps and prognostic charts in order to predict long and short-range weather conditions

Available to work all shifts including early morning, weekend, holidays and overtime as required

Educational Qualifications

PhD student Sep 2008 - Sep 2010

Civil Engineering Department, Queen's University, Ontario Canada

Academic Course Work: Environmental Fluid Dynamics (Water Turbulence Modelling,78%), Limnology (Study of Lakes,78%), Long-Term Environmental Change(Paleolimnology,82%), Environmental Modeling,82%, Introduction to Fluid Dynamics (Audit); Lake and reservoir simulation/modeling, Principles of Academic Writing, Pass

MSc Environmental Studies Aug 1997 – Dec 2000

University of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Science Courses: Atmospheric ScienceB+, Satellite MeteorologyB+, Introduction to BiostatisticsB, Environmental ModelingA, Climate ChangeB, Environmental ChemistryB+, Environmental Chemistry LaboratoryA, Nuclear and RadiochemistryB, Environmental BiologyC

Other Courses Attended:

Geology Courses: Earth System ScienceA, Coastal Issues and ProcessesB+

Public Policy Courses: Public Policy ProcessB, Economic Theory for Policy AnalysisB, Case Studies in Environmental IssuesB, American GovernmentA

Risk Assessment Courses: Environmental Risk AssessmentB, Capstone SeminarB

Research Intern Jun 2000

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, USA

Internship Award: Project: Received an Internship award to participate as a Research Assistant in summer international meeting of 40 scientists and 12 research assistants from all over the US, Canada, Europe. Prepared, conducted and analyzed marine laboratory data on ocean convection research experiment; prepared and presented the results to the assembly of scientists

Post Graduate Diploma in Operational Hydrology Oct 1996 – Jul 1997

Institute for Meteorological Training and Research, Nairobi, Kenya

Research project involved the examination of the El Nino phenomenon to determine if there was any correlation with weather patterns in Western Africa (e.g., African Teleconnections (El-Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and West Africa Rainfall): Courses include Hydraulics, Water Resources Assessment and Management

Post Graduate Diploma in Meteorology Oct 1990 – Feb 1992

University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Research Thesis/Project (Application of Principal Component Analysis, Correlation and Regression Analysis to develop linear equation between weather variables and lake levels)

B Sc Physics Aug 1982 – Jun 1986

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Technical Skills: Computer Credentials: Proficient with the use of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Project (Basic) Working knowledge of MATLAB software, DYRESM, MODELER 2 (visualization) and STELLA modeling software, Internet

Trainings & Courses Attended:

Project Management Practicum (six weeks): Metro Toronto Movement for Literacy (MTML). Wiki web page software; IT project; 6 week project, Oct 2005 - Dec 2005

Contaminated and Hazardous Waste Site Management Certificate -Theory, Practice and Outdoor Field Demonstrations, Gowen Environmental, Toronto, Canada (1 week), Sep 2005

Air Dispersion Modeling Workshop Certificate, Lakes Environmental, Toronto, Canada, Sep 2005

Operational Hydrology Postgraduate Diploma, Nairobi, Kenya, Oct 1996 – Jun 1997

Meteorology Postgraduate Diploma, Nairobi, Kenya, 1990 - 1992

Professional Memberships & Affiliations:

Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, 2005

Environmental Studies Association of Canada, 2005

Environmental Careers Organization (Certified Environmental Practitioner-in-Training), 2003

Global Lakes Ecological Observatory Network, 2010

International Association of Great Lakes Research, 2010

Certification: Workplace Hazardous Management Information System(WHMIS), First Aid, Asbestos Removal, Laboratory Safety, Transportation of Dangerous Goods(TDG), Driver’s License

Publication: Poster Presentation, “Application of a one-dimensional hydrodynamic numerical model to Hamilton Harbor and Lake Simcoe”: International Association of Great Lakes Research Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 17-21, 2010 (Paper Unpublished)

Humanitarian Ventures: Volunteer: Eastside Men's Breakfast Club; Chaperon, Youth Summer Leadership Camp, Charleston, SC, USA, 1998-1999 Volunteer: Phone Operator, Campaign office of political candidate, York South, Toronto, Canada, 1999 – 2005, Jan. 2006

Other Work Experience: Various General Help positions, Employment Agencies, SC, USA, 1999 - 2005

Personal Details

Nationality: Canadian

Driving License : Canadian Driver’s License

References

John Smol, Professor, Environmental Studies Dept., Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6 Canada

Tel: 613-***-**** Fax: 613-***-**** Email: dxss7s@r.postjobfree.com. Former teacher/professor

Margarida Almeida, Learning Enrichment Foundation of Canada, 116 Industry Street, Toronto, ON, Canada

Tel: 416-***-**** Fax: 416-***-**** Email: dxss7s@r.postjobfree.com. Former teacher/Professor

Contact this candidate