Reuben Lavin

Incoming UBC Science student (Sept 2026), planning the transfer into Engineering. Robotics, embedded systems, and software.

Reuben Lavin

Education

University of British Columbia · Vancouver, BC

Sept 2026 (incoming)

Bachelor of Science · Engineering transfer planned after first year

West Point Grey Academy · Vancouver, BC

2020–June 2026

Grade 12 · 97% average · Honor Roll all years

  • AP coursework: Computer Science A · Calculus BC · Statistics · English Language · Human Geography

Selected Projects full portfolio: reubenlavin08.github.io/portfolio

Assistive Navigation Helmet

Robotics · Embedded

Wearable that maps obstacles to directional haptic feedback. Dual VL53L8CX time-of-flight sensors on independent I²C buses and a BNO085 IMU at 100 Hz feed ESP32 firmware that converts an 8×8 depth grid into a three-motor haptic array with a distance-weighted urgency curve; verified on hardware with live desktop and phone point-cloud visualizers.

Spindle Whorl AR

Unity · Meta Quest 3

Mixed-reality preservation of a Coast Salish spindle whorl: photo-textured discs presented in a Unity 6 passthrough-AR gallery scene, built end to end and verified on Meta Quest hardware through a school device program.

Experience & Leadership

Head of Technical Maintenance · Windsor Market

2021–2024

On-call technician for a small commercial grocer

  • Repaired industrial refrigeration, HVAC, electrical circuitry, and structural systems; also ran till, stock, and back-office operations across three years

Black Belt & Assistant Instructor · Ken Shin Dojo / Kerrisdale CC

2025–present

Youngest black belt and assistant instructor in the dojo's history · kickboxing since 2021

  • Lead 20+ students across three weekly kickboxing and jiu-jitsu classes, including students with physical and mental disabilities

Founder & Rhythm-Section Leader · WPGA Jazz Combo / R&B Band

2023–2026
  • Founded the WPGA Jazz Combo (2023); grew from 4 to 7 members across 10+ performances
  • Co-founded and led the rhythm section of the WPGA R&B band; performed for Special Olympics Canada

Grad Committee Treasurer · WPGA Class of 2026

2025–2026
  • Managed the budget, vendor payments, and fundraising bookkeeping for the graduating class

Awards & Certifications

Awards

  • UBC Physics Olympics · Bronze Medal, lab event (2026)
  • WPGA Citizenship Award
  • Alfred Lu Spirit Award
  • WPGA Merit Award (×2)
  • WPGA Music Program Hall of Fame
  • AP Scholars Award
  • Kumon Math · Outstanding Academics (2018–2023)

Certifications

  • Google AI Professional Certificate
  • Core Connectors Mental Health Literacy Certificate · Adam’s Apples Foundation
  • CPRC First Aid Certificate
  • MMA Black Belt · Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing
  • BC Novice Driver’s Licence

Activities & Skills

Activities

  • Varsity Tennis · WPGA · Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club
  • Euclid Mathematics Contest 2026
  • Volunteer · Kerrisdale Community Centre, Camp Jubilee restoration, WPGA productions

Software

  • Python · Java · SQL / SQLite
  • OpenCV · YOLOv8 · OpenVINO
  • Streamlit · Pandas
  • Git & GitHub · VS Code

Hardware

  • ESP32 · Arduino · ESP-IDF
  • Soldering · breadboarding · I²C wiring
  • RC platforms: servos, ESCs, foam-board airframes
Reuben Lavin · Resume · 2026 reubenlavin08@gmail.com