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. Raven developed an animal model for evaluating experimental therapeutics that target bladder cancer. Using this model, he found that an embryonic cell pathway, Sonic Hedgehog, is activated in these cancers and that it can be blocked to reduce tumor growth. This research provides proof of principle for a new bladder cancer treatment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Chan worked on developing ways to enhance the natural function of platelets by loading them with potential drugs, such as clotting factors. These modified platelets may improve the effectiveness of platelet transfusions during uncontrolled bleeding, and platelets loaded with other drugs may also be useful in treating diseases such as cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Wang analyzed the pricing, competition and investment issues in the transportation industry. His research contributes to a better understanding of the economic impact and the interactions of new transport modes, such as high-speed rail or low-cost airlines. It also has policy implications for transport development in emerging countries such as China. | Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Transportation and Logistics (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Luedee studied the environmental history of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. He demonstrated how the demarcation of political borders in the western Arctic and the creation of boundary concepts in the biophysical sciences, transformed human understandings of and relationships with this group of migratory animals during the twentieth century. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Ghadermarzy studied the problem of completing multi-dimensional arrays, i.e., tensors from noisy or 1-bit measurements of a subset of their entries. Tensor completion is applicable whenever the data has missing or corrupted entries which can be the result of a faulty sensor or when taking measurements is too expensive. He proved optimal bound on the minimum required number of measurements for certain classes of tensors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Hoeppli studied how Regulatory T cells, a type of white blood cell, could be used like a drug to prevent graft rejection after organ transplantation. She found that these cells can be modified during cell culture to increase their effectiveness as a drug. Her research contributes towards improving the success of organ transplantation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Wang showed the functional characterization of proteins involved in secondary cell wall development in plants. She also discovered new functions of ovate family proteins involved in maintaining plant hormone homeostasis and regulating the cotyledon development. Her work helps us understand how plant fibers and wood are formed in nature. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Yang used advanced proteomics techniques to characterize cancer drug resistance, and to study the function of a tumour suppressor protein. These studies further our understanding of protein signalling pathways in cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Yoo investigated new computational methods, based on artificial intelligence, that automatically identify changes in brain images. These changes signify how a patient with neurological disorders may get worse over time. His research will help doctors gain more useful information from each patient's MRI and give personalized treatment for each person. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Ashby studied the synaptic and cellular mechanisms that contribute to memory formation. Through his research he described a new role for the weakening of connections between brain cells during the memory formation process. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Murillo studied the processes by which subjectivity (our singular expression of who we are) emerges from educational experience. Working from psychoanalysis, his study shows that the process of becoming who we are is marked in important ways, not only by moments of internal struggle and even devastation, but also by reconciliation and reconstruction. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2018 | The parasite Leishmania is a major public health issue in many tropical and subtropical countries. Dr. Rosamont-Ursulet studied the role of a family of Leishmania proteins in promoting the parasite survival in mammals. This research provides further understanding of the parasite biology in order to identify potential targets for new drug therapies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Access to cannabis for medical purposes is a constitutional right in Canada. Dr. Capler's research explored patients' experiences accessing medical cannabis under different regulatory frameworks. She considered whether access was reasonable, and the impact it had on their lives. Her work has implications for the newly legalized recreational context. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Neog developed methods to measure, model and animate movements of eyes and human facial tissues. He applied his methods to measure subtle motions of these tissues that convey important information in facial expressions. He subsequently used these measurements to model and generate interactive facial animations for applications in computer graphics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Gallagher developed an inexpensive and repeatable method to link historical land use to groundwater contamination. She subsequently applied her method to an aquifer on the US-Canada border to better understand the build up of nitrate in our drinking water. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Nowak examined the space of the Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw during the German occupation of Poland as experienced by those forced to inhabit it. In her thesis, she introduced a concept of violence that allows a description of space itself as a form of violence. Her work contributes to Holocaust Studies as well as current research on space and violence. | Doctor of Philosophy in Germanic Studies (PhD) |
| 2018 | Based on Nuu-chah-nulth principles and personal experiences of teaching Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in higher education, Dr. Smith explored the collisions that occur between different knowledge systems. She notes that while progress is being made, decolonization and reconciliation require more attention and action from educational leaders. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Chaurette studied the infrared sector of quantum field theories. He uncovered a long-time process for the decoherence of charged particles. This research impacts the long-standing black hole information paradox. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Fraser studied electricity use by households in British Columbia, as well as the choice of air versus ocean shipping in international trade. His work helps us find ways to improve the efficient use of energy by understanding how households respond to financial incentives, and through opportunities to ship products by sea instead of by air. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Azizi's research focused on improving decision-making models for diagnostic ultrasound. She explored novel explainable learning methods for prostate cancer detection. The developed technique overlays information about the presence and distribution of cancer on ultrasound images during biopsy and can improve the detection of aggressive disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Parent studied performance art in Vienna in the 1960s. She considered it to be symptomatic of a collective trauma, rooted in the body, and tied to cultural repression and capitalist exploitation. She argues that feminist actionist Valie Export's work exposed women as the disavowed worker body, which exacerbated fragmented social ties. | Doctor of Philosophy in Art History (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Baylis examined treatments for bleeding using self-propelling particles. These micro-rockets, loaded with pro-coagulant and applied directly to the wound site, can travel against the flow of blood to stop bleeding at its source. He further developed new bandages, which could stop massive bleeding during surgery or emergency situations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Moore developed prediction equations that can be used by clinicians and researchers to estimate maturational status in children and youth. She applied these equations to a young adult cohort and found that later maturity was not negatively associated with bone mass, density, structure or strength. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Kobayashi studied musical composition, theory, and technology. In the themes of embodied virtuality and musical affordance, he developed interactive performance systems and generative programs. His thesis piece Forms, for string quartet and computer, represents the dynamic integrity of phenomena that form the universe harmoniously. | Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition (DMA) |
| 2018 | Dr. Henderson's dissertation is a critical exploration of aging and old age in contemporary, professional Canadian theatre. It investigates recent English-language, Western-based plays, asking how they offer alternatives to stereotypical, negative ways of depicting aging and old age either through aspects of their dramaturgy and/or production. | Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre (PhD) |