Par or better: A hands-on student golfer researches the future of hands-off driving
Brenden Lavoie (CivE 2T0+PEY, MASc candidate)
Brenden Lavoie is a Civil Engineering MASc candidate, working under the supervision of Prof. Khandker Nurul Habib, not only excels at academics, but competitive sports as well. Lavoie, who graduated with his undergraduate Engineering degree June 2021 and previously competed as a U of T Varsity Blues golfing athlete, is now back at CivMin as a graduate student and is reprising his role as a Varsity Blues golfer.
With the ability to juggle demanding schedules for academics and sports, Lavoie sat (virtually) with CivMin to share how it all works for him as a returning U of T student, albeit with a more mature view of academics.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in Edmonton, Alberta and then, when I was two, my family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where I grew up. I lived there until I graduated high school, and being a dual citizen, it was very beneficial to come to Canada.
I love Toronto and it’s a really good school. That’s how I ended up here at U of T Engineering.
You attended U of T for Civil Engineering undergrad and now you’re back, right?
Yes. I did my Bachelor of Applied Science last year. I graduated as 2TO plus PEY, so I did a year of co-op. I worked eight months at the Region of Peel as a transportation analyst, then COVID hit and I moved back home to Albuquerque, where I worked as a field engineer for four months. There I was building wastewater treatment facilities.
Now, yes, I am back. I decided to stay for another two years to do a Masters of Applied Science with Professor [Khandker Nurul]Habib. My thesis is on autonomous vehicles and understanding how it will impact Toronto’s transportation network. I’m really grateful for the opportunity – it’s a really cool subject and excellent supervisor. It’s just awesome.
My first engineering job was working as a Research Assistant in U of T’s Structural Lab with Professor Evan Bentz. I worked on several different projects during my time there, but the most interesting to me was using finite element analysis to evaluate high-performance concrete that was reinforced with metal fibres. Since we were interested in learning what this material did under massive loads, my job was essentially to go into the office and learn how to break giant concrete slabs which was a lot of fun.
I also had the opportunity to work with Professor Jennifer Drake and her research team to explore how permeable pavements improved infiltration in built up areas. I thought this job was a lot of fun because it was outside in the elements where anything could happen and sometimes you had to get your hands dirty. It was very interesting to see how engineering happens in the field and how it contrasts with how it happens in the classroom, a lesson that I think will be extremely valuable later in my career.
I was fascinated by the complex nature of transportation, specifically with the intricacies and uncertainty of peoples’ behaviour. Besides just designing and building our roads, transportation engineers have to consider a variety of other aspects too, such as politics, economics, accessibility, equality, etc. that is not present in many other engineering fields. I love learning about cities, what makes them run, how they were built, etc. and transportation is a fundamental part of that.
You were already a golfer and competing as a varsity athlete for U of T as an undergrad. And now you’ve decided to continue while a grad student.
I decided to keep going with U of T, as it’s an excellent opportunity. Especially as an engineer, because engineering can get a little “quantitative” I’ll say. It’s nice to do something that’s dealing with trying to get your emotions in order and think in a different way. Golf requires a lot of making sure your emotions are down and you’re calm. You’re confident, and all of that kind of thing, so it’s just a kind of exercise for a different side of my brain.
I should say as well that Varsity Blues golfing coaches , led by Chris Tortorice, have a lot of experience and expertise, which is great to come back to.
When you moved back to Toronto, already having lived here and knowing different neighbourhoods, did you decide to live in a different area of town?
With COVID, it was bit up in the air. Before I was living in Peel, because I was working in the Region of Peel and my co-op was there. So, when I decided to move back to Toronto, and go to school near downtown, I wanted to live close to campus.
In my first couple of years, I lived in dorms, which is awesome, but it’s maybe not the best for a long period of time. Right now, I’m living with one of my friends, which is a lot of fun and I really like what I have going now. I’m about 15 minutes away, so very convenient.
You’ve completed undergrad. Do you think that you’re in a different headspace maturity wise with respect to school? Perhaps in a different mindset?
I think so, yeah. School is a lot less, I don’t want to say a lot less stressful, but I can’t think of another word for it. It’s like I’ve done it before, so I have some confidence – I guess this is a good way of putting it. And now I don’t freak out as much when I get a bad grade or have multiple project deadlines.
You talked, in general, about what you’re planning to do – do you have a thesis title or working title?
I don’t have a strict title yet. It’s still a little bit early, but it’s something along the lines of understanding the impact of autonomous vehicles on the Toronto’s transportation network.
One of the questions I’m trying to answer is does it change location choice? So, for example, if you’re driving an autonomous vehicle, you might be able to read the newspaper or watch Netflix, or something like that, while you’re in the car.
If you do that, do you perceive travel time differently? If so, you know right now if your commute to work is, let’s say like 45 minutes, that’s kind of annoying if you have to drive the whole way. But if you can watch Netflix while you do it, maybe you perceive it as 10-15 minutes. So are you more likely to move away because of that?
Or are you more likely to choose places that are a little bit farther away, so that’s what my thesis is going to try to try to solve.
But like I said, I, I’ve gone too far into it. Just ’cause I just finished my first semester, so I’m still focusing on classes, .
How has the pandemic affected your school attendance and socializing? Do you have any advice for new students?
It’s really changed since COVID. I would say try to get in touch with as many of the professors as possible – the professors are absolutely amazing and they’ll help you any way possible. I’ve never had any problem with any professor. Every time I come to one of them, asking for a recommendation or advice, they always give me something.
At the same time, as for expanding your social network, try to branch out and meet people outside of your discipline. For me, that’s golf. That’s how I meet a lot of business students, because that’s how golf is [and who’s playing]. U of T is an excellent school, not only for engineering, but it’s great for a wide variety of different things so you might be surprised by who you might meet simply by trying new events or activities.
Are there any other clubs or other networking opportunities you’re really happy you got involved with or wish you had been involved with more?
One of the ones I wish I had gotten involved with in my undergrad was Civ Club, just the department Civ club because I’m no longer an undergrad, I can’t really get involved with it anymore. Other than that, I also did some of the intramurals – I’m really glad I did those because I got to do some things with my colleagues outside of the workplace, and that was really nice.
One of the cool things I’m glad I got involved with in my undergrad is an exchange I did. I went to school for a summer to Scotland, in Glasgow, and did research there. That was absolutely amazing – it kind of worked hand-in-hand with the golf thing. I would definitely recommend that.
You must have a pretty full schedule with academics and sports. There must be some regular scheduled training time, as well as competitions, but can you find the right balance of academics and athletics?
Our winter practice schedule is hitting balls in the dome they put over the football field. So, technically, it’s classifieds as an indoor sport and was suspended as of mid-December until early February. Now we’re back at regular practice three times a week, at least.
During the winter it’s a lot of practice in the mornings, so it’s all before class. Which, though I lose a lot of sleep, doesn’t really impact my my day. During the competitive season, September and October, I have to travel a lot for tournaments. But we’re very fortunate with academic accommodation then.
Our season is only from September to the end of October, so it’s two months of non-stop competition for those two months. It’s an intense period of competition and I put all my focus into golf, because it’s a commitment I’ve made and I want to perform well during this short period. I can kind of pick up the ball, pick up the slack on what I’ve missed in school afterwards.
Other than that, they kind of complement each other in the sense that, it allows me to express a different side of myself. It’s often refreshing and rejuvenating to do golf during the start of school, so they kind of work hand-in-hand.
Any favourite, maybe memorable, professors from your undergrad?
Professor Jennifer Drake was awesome – she is an amazing professor. Evan Bentz is an awesome professor. My current supervisor, Professor Habib, is another amazing professor. Honestly, pretty much everyone in in Civil Engineering is great.
Do you have a favourite spot to hang on campus?
Oh, that’s a good question. Probably The Pit.
As well, I liked the place that used to be Steins, the bar that was right on College [Street], but that’s since closed. Other than that, I would have to say Queen’s Park is pretty nice – I like to just hang there during the summer.
Is there anything else fun, or unusual, about yourself? Maybe a hobby, outside of academics or golf, we wouldn’t otherwise know about except for asking here?
Let’s see. I love to travel and that’s one of my big hobbies – travel and photography.
By Phill Snel
Brenden Lavoie was recently featured in a Varsity Blues article
His accomplishments as a golfer include:
– member of the 2016 State champion golf team
– won the 2015 Ladera H.S. golf tournament
– won the most improved golfer award.
