GoGeomatics Social Leader Profile: Marc Thorup, Vancouver
Our social leaders across Canada are champions of building a strong geomatics community, and Marc Thorup is no exception. Marc is one of our social leaders for the Vancouver GoGeomatics socials, and he loves welcoming newcomers and regulars each month.
GoGeomatics socials are always free, and always a great time. Come out to the next Vancouver social, and say hi to Marc!
Marc Thorup studied Biology, Environmental Science and French at Dalhousie University. There, he was exposed to GIS as a practical analytical tool, and decided to pursue the BCIT Advanced Diploma program in GIS. During his school years, he was honoured with two awards: The Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and the BCIT Student Association Distinguished Representative Award.
Since then, he’s had the opportunity to experience a variety of work, allowing him to build on his specialties. He’s worked for an environmental consulting company, mapping sample locations and sediment transport in sensitive aquatic environments. He has also worked for a geomatics services company, measuring land subsidence with InSAR.
Marc has always found it worthwhile to serve his community and connect with people. A comfortable leader, Marc analyzes the needs of his communities and naturally innovates solutions or improvements. He volunteers as Executive Secretary for the West End Community Centre. He also works with other volunteers in the West End to develop projects, including a social/technical skills-swap event, making web maps for Canadian hunger charities, and building a crowd-based data-upload app for air quality inference from lichen species data.
Marc Thorup and another group leader, Vancouver GoGeomatics Social
His dedication to community naturally brought him to the inaugural Vancouver GoGeomatics social in the Spring of 2013. Shortly after, Marc became a Social Leader for the Vancouver GoGeomatics group. “These socials are a great way to meet like-minded people,” says Marc. “I believe networking should be a by-product of socializing, and not the other way around. Whether the attendees are students, professionals, teachers, or even interested laypeople – there is spirited conversation with an easy connection between our members. It really is ideal to play some billiards and have a beer with some of the regulars you look forward to seeing every month.”
In his spare time, Marc enjoys creative endeavours from film making to playing music and writing novels.
Not in the Vancouver area? Click here to find a social near you.
