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Michael Durocher
[not available on web version] N.E.,	mdurocher@qis.ucalgary.ca
Calgary, AB, T3K 1M4	(403) [not available on web version] (cell.)
Objective
The opportunity to apply broad physics and computer science knowledge to a number of specific applications
Education
Master of Science in Physics Thesis in Computational Physics University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta					2008
Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Sciences Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec					2005
Bachelor of Science in Physics Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec					2005
Undergraduate Exchange Student in Computer Science and Physics State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA					2003-2004
Important Skills
Mathematical Modelling of Physical Systems à Designed and developed protocols for optimal extraction of information from quantum systems in collaboration with two other researchers à Studied a number of numerical methods such as Monte Carlo, Multigrid, Cellular Automaton and a number of methods for solving ODEs, PDE and for molecular dynamics Computer Simulation of Complex Mechanisms à Participated in the simulation of hydrogen fuel cells using computational fluids dynamics software à Programmed simulations of guided waves modes using techniques such as the finite elements method Tutoring and Teaching à Guided students through tutorials and laboratories in first and second year physics à Taught students who have difficulty to understand some important concepts à Devised grading schemes as well as marked tutorials and laboratory reports Presentation Skills à Gave talks at a number of national and international conferences à Presented scientific posters at physics and mathematics conferences Analysis of Large Data Sets à Implemented stochastic minimization algorithms on finite and infinite domains à Processed 2D noisy signals using Fourier analysis to extract partial coherence interference patterns with a lab partner Software Engineering and Programming Skills à Fully coded a compiler for a new object oriented language à Designed a system to teach “cause and effect” to severely mentally handicapped children together with six other team members Bilingual: English and French à Fluent in both spoken and written English and French à Intermediate skills in Spanish and recently began learning Mandarin Technical Writing à Wrote and submitted project updates to supervisors at Hydrogen Research Institute, both French and English à Composed research proposal for scholarship applications and conference abstracts Linear Algebra and Differential Geometry à Programmed and studied many aspects of linear algebra in a number of different applications à Studied and used differential geometry in two physics courses Physical and spatial/geometrical intuition à Developed a strong physical as well as spatial/geometrical intuition through seven years of physics studies
Employment History
Graduate Research Assistant and Research Assistant						Sept. 2005 – present
Institute for Quantum Information Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta à Discovered optimal adaptive protocols for extraction of information from multi-partite quantum systems à Developed Monte Carlo algorithms for maximizing information extraction in quantum measurements
Teaching Assistant and Demonstrator					Sept. 2005 – July 2007
Physics and Astronomy and Continuing Education Departments, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta à Supervised, taught and evaluated undergraduate students through tutorials and laboratories
Research Assistant					Summers 2004 and 2005
Hydro-Québec Fellowship Hydrogen Research Institute, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec à Benchmarked simulations of large size molecular systems using ab-initio quantum mechanical molecular dynamics methods and set up software to work on a 20 nodes parallel computer à Simulated fluid dynamics systems, developed a thermodynamics analysis program and investigated path integral Monte Carlo methods
Electrolytic Cell and Frame Raising Operator; Technical Assistant		Summers 2002, 2003 and 2005
Aluminerie de Bécancour Inc., Bécancour, Québec à Performed operational duties on giant electrolytic cells used in the production of aluminum à Operated special heavy machinery for resetting electrolytic cells production cycle à Managed technical operations required for production of aluminum and its processes stability on series of 240 electrolytic cells
Computer Literacy
Operating Systems: Windows, DOS, UNIX, Linux Software: Photoshop, MS-Office, Visual Studio .NET, Maple, MATLAB, Mathematica, Fluent, LaTeX Programming Languages: C, C++, Java, Maple, MATLAB, Linux shell scripting, Visual Basic, MPI
Scholarships
Departmental Scholarships							2006 and 2007
Physics and Astronomy Department, University of Calgary
Hydro-Québec Initiation to Research Fellowship							Summer 2004
Hydro-Québec
Telecommunications Scholarship							2004
Bell Canada
Studies Abroad Scholarship							2003-2004
Education Ministry of the province of Québec
Volunteer Activities
Member of:
Physics and Astronomy Graduate Liaison Committee							2005-2007
First year graduate students representative; Quantum Optics theory group representative
Physical and Chemical Sciences Student Association Board				2002-2003, 2004-2005
Physics students’ representative
Science Module Council			2002-2003, 2004-2005
Physics and Physics-Computer Science programs representative
Also:
Graduate Student Association Career Workshop Facilitator							November 2007
Facilitate a discussion with graduate students about aptitudes, passions and experience leading to a potential career
Rollercoaster-ology							June 2006
Guided high school students through the analysis of the physics involved in rides at Callaway Park
Expo-Science Bell							2003, 2004
Judged high school students presentations at region and provincial science fairs
Interests
Sports: cycling, downhill skiing, hiking/camping, snowshoeing, whitewater rafting Hobbies: photography, salsa dancing, reading history, writing articles on Wikipedia