Maria Parra

Experience

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  Public works

  Jan 1995 - Dec 1995

  Field Supervisor

  I coordinated assessment techniques and supervised repair strategies in buildings within the historic preservation downtown area according to specifications and designs. I interfaced with the project manager to confirm quality control procedures were followed. I maintained timelines, scheduling and coordination of daily activities, communicating with superintendents, sub-trades and architects. I organized a multi-discipline evaluation team for best practices in sustainable construction. I evaluated overall environmental cost. Show less

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  Civil Engineering Department Michoacan State University

  Jan 1996 - Dec 1996

  Structural mechanics lab assistant

  Researched projects related to innovation in building materials (panelized walls, earth construction, straw bale construction)

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  SAJAD contractors ltd

  Jan 1997 - Dec 1998

  Project Manager

  I supported tendering process for contacting public/private works. I prepared technical report supported by field visits and calculations report. I examined construction plans used to prepare cost, materials, labor and time estimates. I managed contract administration.

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  Geotechnical engineering and quality control construction

  Jan 1999 - Sept 1999

  Quality Assurance Manager

  I coordinated quality assurance activities (documentation, records control, routine verification, maintenance and calibration of equipment, reporting issues, adequate preventive and corrective actions). I supervised soil mechanics laboratory testing. Oversaw adequate supply of resources (material, instrumentation, standards). I supervised health and safety standards. I held periodic team reviews of operative procedures. I provided support in the development and updating of geotechnical database. I collaborated in soil stability assessment and generation of geotechnical information reports Show less

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  Cranfield University

  Jan 2000 - May 2006

  • Conducted literature reviews• Collected and analyze data• Prepared materials for submission to granting agencies and foundations• Provided ready access to all experimental data for the faculty researcher and/or supervisor• Requested or acquired equipment or supplies necessary for the project• Managed and responded to project related email• Attended area seminars and other meetings as necessary• Summarized project results• Prepared other articles, reports, and presentations• Monitored the project budgetI developed models to forecast the performance of high thermal mass structures and thermal energy storage systems embedded in envelope elements under varied climatic conditions. I performed numerical simulation, testing of physical models to validate and optimize algorithms to simulate performance. I analyzed and interpreted results from analytical and experimental studies. I carried out and delivered studies, reviews, tests, measurements, and analyses by applying fundamentals of building physics. I contributed to the development of fundamental understanding of thermal behaviour of vernacular architecture such as adobe constructions. I conducted performance evaluation and optimization of algorithms to predict performance. I assessed tools to analyze thermal behaviours of vernacular architecture. I performed data analyses of data sets to validate hypotheses. I performed numerical simulation. Show less

  • Graduate Research Assistant

    Jan 2002 - May 2006

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Jan 2000 - Dec 2001
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  Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology

  Jan 2007 - Dec 2008

  Lecturer

  I prepared and delivered lectures and conducted laboratory sessions. I prepared, administered and graded examinations, laboratory assignments and reports. I collaborated guiding some final year student’s projects and advised on research matters. I designed, revised and updated courses according to learning outcomes and evaluate and validated these outcomes. Courses taught included: Manufacturing Processes, Energy Conservation in Buildings, Measurement principles, Statics,, HeatTransfer, Thermodynamics, Achieving success in the 21st century, Engineering Principles Show less

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  Adaptica Inc

  Jan 2009 - Mar 2010

  Founder and R&D principal

  I collaborated in the development of the business model and plan, acquired resources, did the incorporation of the company and managed the cash flow.I collaborated researching energy consumption, energy profiles and cost analysis in residentialbuildings and inferred requirements for energy management. I participated in the planning and submission of incentive program applications, and related activities. I reviewed high-impact operational challenges such as knowledge management and research tools. Identified and analyzed energy conservation opportunities and with the team. I provided innovative solutions for control system and automation solutions. I collaborated with team exploring prototype development of an energymanagement system able to predicting energy consumption and controlling energy supplied. I secured funding from the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) Show less

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  Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology

  Apr 2010 - Apr 2011

  Project Manager (PM) and Subject Matter Expert (SME)

  Development and Launch of Bachelor of Building Science: In early 2010, the College initiated the development of a unique 4-year degree program on Building Science. This is a first-of-its-kind specialized bachelor’s degree program in Ontario. As part of this program development team, I was the leading subject matter expert. The program was successfully launched in 2013. I have been the coordinator of the program and I am fully involved as a faculty, leader for the development of laboratory strategic plan, and as Program Quality Review Team Leader. For the 2019 academic year, there is a total enrollment of 150 students in this program and there is a visible job market for our graduates. I have also participated in research initiatives with the Applied Research Department Show less

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  Natural Resources Canada

  May 2011 - Dec 2012

  Project Manager

  Building Science analysis and survey applied for the ecoENEGRY efficiency initiative.I advanced my problem solving skills by looking at problems both with a holistic view and in consideration of all aspects (details) of a project, including checking the accuracy of our data/information sources.I worked closely with the housing program team and clients and provided guidance and support on program requirements and preparing reports. I participated in quality assurance initiatives. Also participated in staff training as required, including the development of building science modules for R-2000 training material for builders Show less

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  Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology

  Jun 2012 - May 2022

  Responsible for providing academic leadership in the management of faculty, support staff and students in the Department. Accountable for the planning, development, delivery and the financial viability of the Department’s programs and for ensuring that these are responsive and relevant to the needs of the students and the community at large in accordance with the College’s Strategic Plan. Provide support and feedback taking a longer term view of developing people, build their skills and build capacity. Manage constant change effectively to help the team accept and handle new processes, technologies, systems and structures to properly adapt to evolution, aligning the department with the marketplace. Provide a vision facing changes in the student clientele, disintegrating college curricula, growing technological changes, shifting attitudes and practices, etc. Manage conflict and diversity serving as a negotiator between departmental goals that reflect institutional priorities and the individual goals and agendas of the department staff. Show less "Education is key to who we become". Our students today in the classroom will influence our profession; they will impact politics, economics, culture, education and society in the future. I believe in the power of supporting them to develop in their field with a sense of responsibility for fellow human beings, for nature and for cooperation to become successful professionals having successful and meaningful lives.Among the courses that I have developed and continue teaching in this program include Introduction to Building Science, Materials Science, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Constructability, Building Science Research Project I and II, AutoCAD, Revit. I have supervised more than 30 final year capstone research projects including: "An educational diagnostic tool for mold in deteriorating residential housing in Waswanipi", "Hygrothermal performance and constructability challenges of prefabricated panels in Ontario", "Post-Occupancy Evaluation of a MURB Passive Building and a Single-Family Passive House". Show less

  • Chair Electrical, Horticulture and Building Science

    Jan 2020 - May 2022

  • Professor

    Jun 2012 - Dec 2019
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  Algonquin College

  Jan 2013 - Dec 2019

  Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Building Science

  Responsible for course content development including educational technology integration and peer review; hiring course developers and faculty and overview deliverables and progress; Teaching and maintaining a program of research and scholarship working with external research contractors, as well overlooking lab operation (equipment, materials and resources). Initiated a variety of collaborations with other academic institutions (e.g., Toronto University, Ottawa University, Ryerson University), professional organizations (e.g., Building Envelope Ottawa region) and Consulting companies. Lead the quality assurance process for degree consent renewal submitted to the Ministry of Education. Organized and scheduled hands-on workshops in collaboration with industry. I have worked in collaboration with the college’s recruitment departments to develop ideas for new promotion opportunities; learner driven and personalized education; retention strategies in higher education as well as degree pathways and articulation agreements Show less

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  Canadore College

  May 2022 - now

  Dean, Faculty of Aviation Trades and Technology

  Provide vision and dynamic leadership to the School of Aviation, Trades, and Technology. Collaborate in the generation and identification of partnerships and new business opportunities to enhance delivery while creating value-added for students, and program outcomes, supporting industry partners, and diversifying revenue sources. Establish community-based partnerships, building pathways to STEM programs. Oversee the effective use of fiscal, human, and physical resources, responding to college-wide financial initiatives. Creates annual program capital, consumable, and financial reports and directs the application for external funding sources. Maintains a high level of staff performance through effective recruiting, selecting, training, developing, and evaluating staff. Work with industry partners to bring the latest trends to establish innovative, market-driven, cross-disciplinary, and technology-enabled offerings by developing and mapping current and future strategic business plans. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion committed to education and meaningful opportunities for engagement. Show less