A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
| Year | Citation | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Dr. Marshall developed a technique to study how human mitochondria trigger cell death. Using this technique, she found new events implicated in cell death as well as unique events triggered during bacterial infection. This work addresses a technical gap in studying the 'powerhouse of the cell' and its control over human cell death. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Shrestha developed computational algorithms to identify and prioritize cancer driver genes. He identified a novel molecular subtype of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma, potentially vulnerable to immunotherapy. His work helps clinicians contextualize genomic information in clinical decision making, thus enabling precision oncology. | Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Koenig explored the process of creating a musical representation of the emotions experienced from the perspective of a child who has become lost. The various emotional stages were transformed into musical ideas, motifs, and phrases for full orchestra. The subsequent work was able to express this narrative without specific program notes. | Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition (DMA) |
| 2018 | Dr. Nayebzadah studied the representation of Afghan-Canadian Muslim diaspora in postcolonial fiction through the practice of a/r/tography. Her work raises questions about biases, presuppositions, and world-views on Muslims. This research informs discussion around the role of authors as constructing and consolidating notions of "self" and "other". | Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Chen investigated how natural languages vary in expressing temporal and modal information. Through fieldwork on Atayal, an endangered Austronesian language of Taiwan she uncovered new ways in which meaning components can be combined. Her work contributes to modifying current theories and typology and provides valuable language documentation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Zhao developed methods to design switching gain-scheduled controllers for dynamic systems with significant dynamic variations in their operating range. He subsequently applied the developed methods to engineering systems such as optical image stabilizers and offshore wind turbines, resulting in improved control system performance. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Many drugs exhibit poor solubility, limiting their absorption and clinical efficacy. Dr. Tang developed a novel approach using nanotechnology to formulate these drugs with improved solubility. His research work demonstrated the utilities of this approach in delivering these drugs more effectively and safely. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Skierszkan studied the mobility of two metallic contaminants, molybdenum and zinc, in mine waste rock and tailings by using stable isotope analyses. His research provides practitioners with a new tool to trace the release and attenuation of metals in mine waste and thus improve environmental management at mine sites. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD) |
| 2018 | Nuclear pore complexes allow the transfer of molecules across cell membranes. Dr. Manhas found that these pore complexes are essential in the replication of DNA elements, called transposons, that move from one location in the genome to another. These findings help us understand the replication of viruses that are related to transposons. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Gerardo developed the world's first ultrasound transducer for biomedical imaging using inexpensive polymer materials. His new transducer design competes in performance with current ultrasound transducers for a fraction of the cost. This research illuminates the way for the creation of wearable cardiac monitoring systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Wen characterized autophagy, a cellular clearance process, in the light-detecting rod photoreceptors in the retina. She also examined the therapeutic effect of autophagy modulators on retinitis pigmentsoa, an inherited eye disorder. This research allows greater understanding of autophagy and the mechanisms of retinal degeneration. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Patterson examined Pasifika women's experiences of working in higher education using Pacific research methods. This research explored how Pasifika women continue to navigate towards community success despite racism and sexism in the academy by challenging these practices and protecting the interests of Pasifika students and communities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Forughi developed novel optical measurement methods to quantify moisture content in paper at high spatial and temporal resolution. He used these methods to investigate the effect of different parameters on paper drying, with the goal of improving the energy efficiency of papermaking. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Bontrager investigated how climate affects adaptation across the range of a native wildflower. This work illustrates the possibility for gene flow to help populations adapt to climate change. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Goodrich studied measurement, evaluation and research methodology. She examined the application of a general diagnostic model to large-scale assessments across Canada and the U.S. Her findings reveal that such application provides a way to gain detailed evidence about mastery, reading literacy, and pathways to proficiency. | Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Yuen studied precision manufacturing machines. He developed novel algorithms to plan the motion, control the precision, and the accuracy for a machine tool that combines a micro-milling machine and magnetically levitated actuator. Results can be used to manufacture high precision parts found in various high tech industries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Hunter studied Vancouver poetry of the 1960s and 1970s, with a focus on two important magazines published in the city at that time, "Tish" and "blew ointment." This research contributes to an emerging scholarly engagement of the importance of literature from Vancouver, especially in its earlier formations. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Hawley studied microbial metabolisms and metabolic interactions in oxygen depleted ocean waters. Her research clarified details of microbial community nitrogen, sulfur based interactions along gradients of oxygen. Her findings have important implications for nitrogen availability and greenhouse gas production and consumption. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. South examined how prosocial behaviour towards others is impacted by an individual's sense of self and belonging status. She found that people who were more independent were less prosocial towards animal out-groups, if they felt a strong sense of belonging. This finding has implications for cause marketing and especially for animal charities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Hall examined current and alternative approaches to adult guardianship - the framework that helps protect vulnerable adults. She developed a model that is consistent with legal principles and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This work responds to the problems arising in the context of dementia and old age. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2018 | Cameras cannot capture the full range of light intensities without losing image accuracy. Dr. Rouf proposed a computational optimization framework and developed methods for reconstructing high-fidelity photographs. This framework challenges expensive, conventional solutions and provides a practical use for everyday photography. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Islam examined how DNA is chemically modified in neurological diseases including Huntington's disease, brain cancer and alcoholism. Her work highlighted how we can use these DNA marks to understand how genes are regulated in different types of healthy and diseased tissues, and to diagnose and track the progression of neurological disorders. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Zhang studied micro direct liquid fuel cells for portable power devices, using experimental and computational methods. Her results show the design of catalyzed channel walls is a feasible approach to enhance the maximum power density. Her model will aid in the design of fuel cells with catalyzed channel walls. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Sheikhzadeh worked on improving the diagnostic process of cervical cancer. She demonstrated that novel imaging technologies could be employed to reduce unnecessary biopsies and developed algorithms to differentiate between grades of precancerous tissue. Her work will lead to fast and cost-effective diagnosis of this type of cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Carlson developed a simple, scalable method for the rapid stabilization of membrane proteins called the peptidisc. He used the technique to rapidly identify novel and known interactions between membrane proteins in the bacterial cell envelope. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |