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. Lachance's research makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Indigenous Theatre on Turtle Island. Her work provides excellent historical context and advances an original and deeply persuasive argument about the importance of dramaturgy in the conceptualization and embodied experience of Relational Indigenous theatrical methods. | Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre (PhD) |
| 2018 | Myelin is an essential component of the nervous system. Dr. Duncan characterized a gene essential for myelin regeneration and critical for the stability of neural connections and recovery in a rodent model of multiple sclerosis. Findings suggest enhancing myelin regeneration may ameliorate disability in people with multiple sclerosis. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Many practical problems are subject to order constraints, for example, combined physical and chemical therapies are usually at least as good as chemical therapy alone. Dr. Zhou developed methods to formally utilize order constraints for statistical inference. His methods enable scientists from various disciplines to make more efficient use of the available data resources. | Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Amir-Khalili developed computer algorithms to assist clinicians and improve outcomes for patients undergoing complex medical procedures. His contributions include an automated algorithm that locates blood vessels based on movement, and systems for interpreting uncertainties that occur during cancer surgery or radiotherapy interventions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Soleimani developed a novel methodology for securing unreinforced masonry walls from collapse during an earthquake. His work has lead to the invention of an advanced sprayable material and a strengthening technique for seismically upgrading walls at schools and hospitals. The new technology aims to save millions of lives worldwide. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Wang studied a thermal treatment process to increase the heating value of woody biomass. He used a reactor of unusual geometry leading to improved performance in converting biomass into a material similar to lignite, a low-rank coal. His work demonstrates that biomass has potential to replace a significant amount of greenhouse-gas-emitting fossil fuels. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Ding studied immune signalling pathways in plants. Part of her work represents a major breakthrough in the understanding of the perception and molecular signaling of salicylic acid, one of the most important plant immune-related phytohormones. Findings from this and other work will contribute to our better understanding of plant immune systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Philpott studied root decomposition and fungal communities under alternative forestry practices. He found that leaving some trees after harvest preserves fungi often found in uncut forests, and that tree coverage slows root decomposition. His work identified forestry practices that protect fungi and potentially increase soil carbon storage. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Roach explored specialized metabolite biosynthesis in two non-model plant systems. In the flower, Crocosmia, he explored the biosynthetic genes of a new potential diabetes therapeutic. In the tree, Sitka spruce, he explored the inherent plasticity and evolution of a family of terpene synthases associated with defense against pests. | Doctor of Philosophy in Genome Science and Technology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Prouse examined the relationship between infrastructure upgrades and military police occupation in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. She found that, together, they were used to secure territory for market formalization and often resulted in racial violence. Yet favela residents were central in re-shaping these projects for their own protection and needs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Steif developed state of the art approaches to detect changes in the genomes of individual cancer cells. She then used these methods to decipher how distinct populations of cancer cells evolve over time. These approaches will enable future studies that examine how tumours respond to treatment and what leads to cancer relapses in patients. | Doctor of Philosophy in Genome Science and Technology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. VanInsberghe developed microfluidic methods to measure the expression of microRNAs, an important class of regulatory molecule, in single cells. He subsequently applied this technology to measure microRNA expression in the blood development system, helping to refine the model for how these cells create the different blood cell types. | Doctor of Philosophy in Genome Science and Technology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Bil examined engagements between European and Maori plant sciences in nineteenth century Aotearoa New Zealand. He found that racist interpretations of Maori knowledge originated in work undertaken by scholars who lacked acquaintance with indigenous cultures and languages. This work contextualizes and helps to challenge present-day views. | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Terpstra designed nanomaterials that mimic the unique three-dimensional organization of biological polymers. She used cellulose nanocrystals to create thin film materials with nanometer-sized helical structures. These materials have iridescent colours and were used to study the effects of nanoscale structures on sensing and catalysis. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2018 | In today's ever-increasing demand for fast, energy-effecient, and accessible computer accelerators, Dr. ElTantawy proposed techniques to simplify the programming models of such complex accelerators. His findings are vital for increasing the accessibility to energy efficient accelertators in a wider application domains. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Hendry examined models of sport expertise and the related behavioral and psychological outcomes. His research findings showed expert male and female soccer players followed an early majority engagement pathway. This pathway facilitates skill acquisition and the emergence of self-determined motivation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Cheng developed a new clinically relevant experimental model of traumatic brain injury, which is now being used in different research laboratories. This new model has facilitated the study of the pathological development after concussions. This research illuminates the relationship between traumatic brain injuries and subsequent brain diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Lawson studied small RNAs within the blood as an early screening system for lung cancer. His work has provided evidence that a panel of select small RNAs in the blood could be used as an indicator for the presence of lung cancer. Dr. Lawson's findings could be utilized to detect lung cancer earlier and more accurately than current methods. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Choosing from the many alternative solutions for building design and construction can be a complex undertaking. To address this, Dr. AboMoslim developed a framework for screening and evaluating skyscraper design and construction technologies. This framework contributes toward better decision-making when building skyscrapers in specific geographic areas. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Choi proposed a new hypothesis suggesting that altered cancer metabolism and secretion of lactic acid dampens the anticancer immune response. His work helps us better understand the role of lactic acid in multiple cancer-promoting processes and could lead to an effective treatment strategy for advanced prostate cancer and other malignancies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Naman studied how stream-dwelling salmon and the invertebrates they eat are influenced by physical habitat structure. He found that a combination of contrasting habitat types is required for fish to have sufficient space to live but also enough food. This work will inform efforts to conserve and restore habitat for these iconic stream fishes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Balani examined the response in tissue culture of normal and malignant human breast cells to irradiation and developed a method to analyze these cells in mice. Her findings reveal that some normal breast cells are more resistant to irradiation than others, but all generally become increasingly resistant when transformed. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Patsa studied the overlap between geothermal and mineral resources using public information. She developed a decision-making framework that can be used to assess whether geothermal merits consideration as an energy source for a mining project. Her research demonstrates that such an assessment is possible even in the absence of specialist data. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Berard studied the experience of encountering art with the concepts of desire and assemblage from philosopher Gilles Deleuze. Arising from this research is the understanding that encountering art is a milieu of immanent ethics. It invites us into experiences of living; we never know how we will be affected and what possibilities are actualized. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2018 | Dr. Roth examined the role of ecological and climate factors in driving patterns of West Nile Virus incidence in western Canada using data from BC and Saskatchewan. The results of this work were used to develop a practical decision support tool to aid resource allocation and disease prevention in the BC context. | Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD) |