Maria Diana Vlad

Curriculum Vitae

Home address:Spinozalaan 1, II-A2273 XA, VoorburgNederlandMobile: 0634037047Home #: 0707445752e-mail: dianavlad93@hotmail.com

PROFILE and SKILLS

I am a highly motivated second year master student with a research-oriented mind and passionateabout learning, and I possess a positive attitude towards science and achievement. I am stronglycommitted to my graduate education in environmental sciences, aspiring to pursue a career insustainable development, specifically in the field of water management.

I strongly believe that the modern world is one of interconnection and independence; therefore, beingand working with people who can think and write critically, appreciate diversity, and grasp some of thecomponents of culture are uniquely suited to succeed.

Aptitudes: self motivated curious ethical work behaviour independent but also a team-worker hard-working analytic abilities

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

A. Master Degree in Environmental Sciences-Sustainable Development Programme (Governancefor Sustainable Development track), Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht,the Netherlands (September 2015-present-expected graduation date June 2017).

Highlights: This is a 2-year Research Master with the aim to prepare students for tackling sustainabledevelopment issues in an effective manner in the near future. The main focus of this masterprogramme is the scientific analysis of the complex processes of change related to the pursuit of asustainable society. The programme also deals with the various means by which societal ortechnological changes can be implemented and studied from a multidisciplinary perspective. In theGovernance for Sustainable Development track, we examine policy theories and empirical approachesto policy making. The focus is on governing the social changes required to achieve an environmentallyaccountable society from a social science perspective. The track integrates knowledge from policyscience, sociology, human geography, planning, economics, and law. We are taught research andintervention skills needed in future professional careers. We have also gained knowledge in conductingboth social science and natural science analysis of sustainability, and skills to work in amultidisciplinary team.

First Year Courses:

Governance theories Policy Analysis Modelling and Indicators Sustainability Science Advanced Research Methods Analyzing Governance Practices Research Design International Governance for Sustainable Development

Second Year:

I will be starting to write my Master Thesis in November 2016. Title of thesis: Decision-makingstrategies in a Multi-Actor Collaboration for improving the Sustainability of Flood ProtectionInfrastructure in the North Sea Region.

This thesis will be done in combination with a research internship at UNESCO-IHE in Delft, for theInterreg North Sea Region project called: Flood infrastructure Asset Management and Investmentin Renovation, adaptation and maintenance

B. Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tilburg University, Tilburg,the Netherlands (August 2012 – July 2015).

Highlights: This programme encompassed courses from all four faculties of the university, and is thusvery interdisciplinary in nature. This will be an advantage later in the career field, as we will be able toapproach a problem from a multitude of perspectives. In the first year we have studied business andmanagement, social sciences, neuroscience, society and the economy, and philosophy. In the secondyear I have chosen to major in Social Sciences, in which we have been developing our practicalknowledge by working with SPSS and writing numerous research papers.

Bachelor Thesis: Reconnecting the Gap between Farmers and Consumers. This study hasinvestigated the relationship between food choice, food sovereignty, and the gap between consumersand producers, in order to determine whether food sovereignty could make a significant contribution tominimizing the gap. It turned out that food choice does not influence food sovereignty, and that foodsovereignty does not have a significant effect on the gap between consumers and producers.

Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands - Faculty of Geosciences (February-April 2014)

I completed a minor course called ‘Regions in Development’ which is part of a wider minor programcalled ‘Developmental Geography’. This course focused on international development from aneconomic, political, and geographic perspective in the developing world, and we studied specific casesfrom Africa, Latin America, and Asia. This course has helped me to understand more of what is goingon in the Third World in terms of development, and what still needs to get done. I chose this coursebecause it is related to my motivation to pursue sustainable development in the future.

Outreaching Honors Programme (September-June 2015): This is an extracurricular programmethat I participated in on top of my studies. Its main objective is to teach students to develop theirleadership potential, be proactive, and engage with their community. It focuses on the development ofpractical knowledge using theories derived from our main study. I find it to be very beneficial because Ihave the opportunity to gain some real-life experience, and by experimenting, and trying out differentsets of skills, I will be able to learn what my strengths in the workforce could be, what I would like andwould not like. There are different components that make up this programme. There is one course onEntrepreneurial and Leadership development which deals with different kinds of leadership styles andorganizations. We have to participate in at least 8 master classes and also set up one ourselves. Beingactive in a community project is also a requirement, in which we become involved in and give back to

society by engaging with our community and offering support. I have to do at least one internationally-oriented internship, and my field of interest would be Climate change and sustainability, but I am opento all sorts of opportunities. We also conduct empirical lab experiments on which we have to write aresearch report about. Overall, this program is really about self-development.

Oslo University, Norway- Erasmus Exchange Programme (August –December 2014)

I have taken three courses here as part of my minor program. I am taking a course in comparativepolitical economy, one about the Scandinavian Welfare System, and North/South Development. I havechosen these courses to help me prepare for my masters degree by acquiring more backgroundknowledge in the fields of international development and international relations. The courses cover amultitude of topics, and there is a wide collection of literature that we have covered. Overall, I find thecourses, especially north/south development, to be very practically oriented, challenging us to thinkcritically, and to understand vast global issues at play, and the interconnectedness between them.

Climate Change: Understanding the Challenge Summer School-San Sebastian, Spain (July 2014)

Highlights: This was a three-day summer school on climate change issues that took place in SanSebastian, Spain, at the initiative of the Basque Center for Climate Change Research. The objective ofthe BC3 Summer School is to offer an updated and multidisciplinary view of the ongoing trends inclimate change research. The structure followed the IPCC general meetings, consisting of three mainsessions: climate science, adaptation and impact, and mitigation of climate change. The current issuesof climate change discussed include: arctic sea ice, ocean circulation, sea level rise, impacts on water,food and health, mitigation options, climate policy, and economic instruments. The school is open toMaster students, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and other researchers as well as policy makersinterested in acquiring a deep understanding of climate change and the policies designed to fight it.

C. Grade 10,11, and 12 High School Student, John G. Diefenbaker High School, Calgary,Alberta, Canada (Sep 2010 – June 2012)

Highlights: I have taken the full curriculum of courses with some additional international baccalaureatecourses as well: History 35 IB HL and Theory of Knowledge, Biology 20/30IB SL, Chemistry 20 IB HL,English 20 IB HL. The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme was a three year programme fromgrade 10 to grade 12. In grade 10 I have taken the full honors programme. I have taken the full AlbertaCurriculum encompassing all three sciences (chemistry, physics, and biology), pure mathematics aswell as first degree calculus (Math 31), and have also taken a course in computer technology.

WORK EXPERIENCE

1. Voluntary Summer Research Internship, Utrecht University (June 2014)

Highlights: Assisting a PhD candidate on developing a database to facilitate easy access for climatechange organizations in Cambodia.

2. Proofreader, Prof. Dr. Dooremalen Tilburg University (October 2013)

Highlights: Proofreading the English from 3 different chapters in the book of Philosophy of Mind, writtenby professor of philosophy of mind, Hans Dooremalen.Skills: Responsibility, attentiveness, ethical work behavior

3. Summer Intern, C.S.Yue Professional Corp. Orthodontic Clinic (July 2011-August2011)

Highlights: Summer Internship ProgramSkills acquired: How to work in a professional setting, being quick and efficient, being observant andattentive.

4. Part-time Piano Teacher, Self-Employed (January 2011-May 2012)

Highlights: Teach a young girl once/weekSkills acquired: Organization, patience, interpersonal skills and responsibility

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

AMA Empowerment Community Project for the Outreaching Honors Program: (November 2012-May 2014)

Highlights: Helping young Afghan and other asylum seekers in Tilburg and Eindhoven build acommunity and a better future for themselves through the set up of various activities, fundraisingmeals, and football competitions. This project was a part of my Outreaching Honors programme,and my team was working in close contact with the YSEA (Young Social Entrepreneurs forAfghanistan) organization.Skills acquired: team collaboration, innovation, persuasion, effectively sharing my vision with therest of the group, social entrepreneurial skills, creating sustainable change.

Amnesty International for Youth (October 2011-June 2012)

Highlights: Activism for human rightsSkills acquired: Helping others

Reading Buddies at the Public Library (November 2011-May 2012)

Highlights: Invoking a passion for a reading in a young childSkills acquired: Patience, charisma, creativity, good verbal skills

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Martial Arts (Shotokan,Renbukai, and Shito Ryu karate style) Classical piano

Committees/Board Membership

Community Project Committee: (October 2013-June 2014)

Highlights: Our task is to assess the validity and credibility of the community project proposals of ourfellow Outreaching students.Skills acquired: Responsibility, good communication, dealing with time constraints, organization,practicality, strategy.

Karate Board: (October 2013-present)

Highlights: treasurerSkills acquired: Organization, efficiency, strategy

COMPUTER SKILLS/LANGUAGES

Adobe Photoshop, Internet Information Server, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Macintosh OperatingSystem, Windows Operating System, SPSS for social science research, Stella modelingsoftware, basic excel, Netlogo modeling software, IMAGE 3.0 modeling software

Fluent in English and Romanian, elementary French

Recent Awards and Certificates

IB Certificate for IB Biology SL and History HL (November 2011), John G. Diefenbaker HighSchool, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Grade 6 piano Honors (September 2011), Royal Conservatory of Music Intermediate Rudiments First Class Honors (September 2011), Royal Conservatory of Music Primary Rudiments First Class Honors with Distinction (August 2009), Royal Conservatory of

Music

School Honor Roll (June 2010), John G. Diefenbaker High School, Calgary, Alberta,Canada

Honors Society (June 2010), John G. Diefenbaker High School, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Honor Roll (June 2009), John G. Diefenbaker High School, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Honor Roll (June 2008), Crescent Heights High School, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

REFERENCES: on request