Sarah Moniz de Sa

RESEARCHER & CONTENT WRITER
Langara College: MyGenetics Textbook | SEPT 2024 – ONGOING
– Conducted in-depth literature reviews and synthesized genetic research into accessible case studies on Sickle Cell Anemia, Gilbert Syndrome, and Trisomy 21, helping students grasp complex biological principles.
– Translated technical scientific data into concise, engaging educational materials, demonstrating expertise in science communication and knowledge translation.
– Authored and structured textbook chapters exploring real-world genetic applications, integrating historical and ecological perspectives to bridge scientific theory with practical applications.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT & GEOSPATIAL TECHNICIAN
Moniz Environmental Consulting | OCT 2023 – OCT 2024
– Managed, refined, and maintained geospatial datasets for projects such as First Nations Bioregional Atlases, ensuring data quality, accuracy, and usability within individualized client geodatabases to support long-term conservation planning.
– Developed, updated, and maintained ArcGIS Online (AGOL) feature services and web maps for field data collection using Survey123 and Field Maps, including customized tools for Infrastructure Asset Management, significantly improving operational efficiency.
– Designed and implemented ArcGIS Pro tools and scripts, optimizing spatial data processing workflows for suitability studies and infrastructure planning, reducing processing times and increasing project accuracy.
– Created interactive web applications and dashboards (e.g., StoryMaps and ArcGIS Dashboards) to communicate project findings, improving community engagement and informed decision-making for environmental planning and resource management.
– Produced high-impact map products for emergency response planning, Bioregional Atlases, asset management, and grant applications, securing successful funding initiatives and providing essential spatial tools for Indigenous communities and conservation stakeholders.

LAND-BASED RESEARCH & DATA COLLECTION
Evan J Stewart and Associates. | OCT 2023 – OCT 2024
– Engaged in collaborative discussions with First Nations leadership and stakeholders, ensuring that land-use decisions aligned with community priorities, ecological sustainability, and governance needs.
– Led the development of a Land Suitability Model in ArcGIS Pro as part of a Land Selection project, integrating environmental, cultural, and logistical factors to assess land suitable for specific activities and aid in the creation of a future land-use plan for a First Nation community.
– Developed a methodology for the spatialization and digitization of community engagement, elder, and Chief interviews for use and support in Title and Rights documentation of cultural knowledge.
– Provided crucial information for informed decision-making, supplying detailed environmental metrics that guided restoration planning and sustainable land-use practices.

GEOSPATIAL TECHNICIAN INTERNSHIP
Frontera Forest Solutions Inc. | NOV 2022 – APRIL 2023
– Employed the R programming language in R Studio for the cleaning, processing, and creation of lidar-based digital models.
– Utilized R Studio to perform comprehensive analysis of forest metrics, enabling accurate calculation of forest biomass for the land area of Whistler.
– Contributed valuable insights into Whistler’s forest ecosystem as part of the RMOW Fire and Fuels Monitoring Plan 2022-2025.
– Provided crucial information for informed decision-making by supplying detailed analysis and metrics for the forest ecosystem.

LANDSCAPING SUPERVISOR
Para Space Landscaping Inc | MAR 2021 – AUG 2022
– Achieved a remarkable promotion from laborer to supervisor within a three-month timeframe, highlighting outstanding performance and leadership abilities.
– Demonstrated proficiency in equipment and truck maintenance, showcasing expertise in ensuring operational efficiency.
– Showcased proficiency in pesticide application and pest monitoring, contributing to the overall health and aesthetics of the landscapes.
– Displayed exceptional creativity and leadership by designing, organizing, and supervising annual flower displays across prominent locations in Vancouver, such as Granville Island.

ANIMAL-CARE TECHNICIAN
Urban Safari Rescue Society | MAY 2019 – AUG 2019
– Successfully conducted educational programs on the general biology of wildlife, pet care, and endangered species to children, youth, and adults, effectively sharing knowledge and raising awareness.
– Demonstrated expertise in maintaining animal enclosures, ensuring a clean and safe environment for the well-being of the animals.
– Skillfully prepared and distributed appropriate food to the animals, considering their dietary needs and preferences.
– Conducted thorough health assessments of the animals, monitoring their overall health and well-being, and taking necessary measures for their care and treatment.

FARM HAND
Edible Garden Project at Loutet Farms | APRIL 2019 – SEPT 2019
– Promoted community involvement and engagement on issues related to food sustainability, effectively raising awareness, and encouraging collective action.
– Undertook responsibilities such as tilling, transplanting, soil preparation, crop maintenance, and harvesting, showcasing expertise in all aspects of agricultural and horticultural practices.
– Demonstrated a commitment to sustainable farming practices, implementing environmentally friendly techniques and promoting responsible land and resource management.
– Received positive feedback for fostering a sense of community and inspiring individuals to actively participate in food sustainability efforts.

EDUCATION

DEDICATED RESEARCH & WRITING PROJECTS

Determination of Pheromone Producing Glands in Virgin Female Steatoda grossa Spider
Role: Undergraduate Researcher

• S. grossa females collected at Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, B.C.)

• Designed and constructed a T-rod bioassays, where male spiders would be placed to determine a response to potential female pheromone producing glands.

• Glands which triggered a response from the male were prepared for dissection.

• Adapted the dissection protocol for S. grossa from the silk gland dissection of Latrodectus Hesperus (Black Widow)

• Dissections were performed to remove and separate each gland category: tubiliform, major ampullate, minor ampullate, aggregate plus flagelliform, and actiniform plus pyriform glands.

• Analyzed gland extracts using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid
  chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS)

Conspecific Female Pheromone Detection in Steatoda grossa: Determination of Behavioral Changes with
Female Density
Role: Undergraduate Researcher

• Designed and set up experimental conditions for two different experiments (3 females & 30 females)

• Collected and measured data on silk-strand density in the spider webs.

• Calculated the investment in different sections of the web, such as safety, mating, and prey capture using R Studio

• Analyzed the statistical significance of the changes in silk investment using R Studio

• Conducted statistical analyses using IBM SPSS 23.

• Contributed to the writing and organization of the paper “Same-sex conflict in a spider – Female false black widows adjust their webs’
  architecture and attractiveness in response to competition for prey and mates, and to predation risk” published by Nature Communications Biology.

• Paper Link: Widow spiders alter web architecture and attractiveness in response to same-sex competition for prey and mates, and predation risk | Communications Biology

Assessment Of Green Roof Suitability By Active Remote Sensing
Role: Graduate Student & Researcher

• Acquired and processed geospatial datasets from Planet Scope Imaging and the University of British Columbia Open Data Portal.

• Developed a workflow integrating RGB imagery, LiDAR point cloud data, and building data to assess green roof potential.

• Utilized ArcGIS Pro for building extraction and suitability analysis, evaluating slope, area, and environmental conditions.

• Created an interactive web map to display analysis results for stakeholders.

• Collaborated with the SEEDS Sustainability Program, aligning research with urban sustainability goals.

• Project Link: Assessment of Green Roof Suitability by Active Remote Sensing of University of British Columbia Buildings – UBC Library Open Collections

Bioregional Atlases for British Columbia First Nations
Role: GIS Technician & Researcher

• Conducted extensive data collection, assessment, processing, and visualization in ArcGIS Pro for the creation of Bioregional Atlases.

• Developed and maintained geospatial databases integrating environmental, ecological, and cultural data.

• Designed comprehensive layouts incorporating First Nations artwork and culturally significant elements into the atlas structure.

• Authored narrative descriptions to accompany maps, detailing historical, ecological, and land-use perspectives.

• Facilitated collaboration with Indigenous communities, ensuring the representation of traditional knowledge and land stewardship.