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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Dr. Chen's work focused on understanding the role of a protein called HMMR in cancer cell division. She demonstrated that HMMR integrates structural and biochemical pathways to ensure the fidelity of cell division. These findings contribute to a better understanding of cancer cell biology and may assist the design of next-generation anti-tumor drugs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Derakhshandeh worked on improving the processing of various polymers used to fabricate plastic products. He addressed the effect of different molecular structures and processing conditions, making it possible to model and optimize the current polymer processing techniques in order to obtain better quality products such as stronger shopping bags and pipes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Mackie's work focused on how the pronunciation of words changes over generations. Using computer simulation, he showed that simple phonetic misperceptions can influence the total number and type of consonant sounds found in a language. This research contributes more generally to our understanding of how and why human languages change over time. | Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Hejazi developed a comprehensive reactor model, taking into account the kinetic, energy and environmental constraints for a novel process that can capture carbon dioxide, while also converting forest wastes into a useful gas for combustion and synthesis. His research is useful for the design, evaluation and improvement of reactors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Karakochuk examined whether iron deficiency was a major cause of anemia among women of reproductive age in Cambodia. This research is essential for the design and implementation of effective anemia reduction strategies. Her findings helped to reshape the current policy for iron supplementation among women of reproductive age in Cambodia. | Doctor of Philosophy in Human Nutrition (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Gadala examined how modern high-strength, low-alloy pipeline steels corrode and degrade in underground service conditions. He subsequently developed advanced numerical models to simulate pipeline corrosion control and structural integrity. This research enhances the safety and reliability of both existing and future energy pipeline infrastructure. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Drost studied Arctic cod, a key Arctic marine food web fish that she collected in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Her research revealed a greater than expected thermal tolerance and a significant acclimation potential from 0 | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Black carbon particles are responsible for adverse health effects and climate forcing. Dr. Dastanpour discovered new relations between the morphology and properties of these aerosols over a wide range of combustion sources. His results have significant implications for measurement of soot emission rates and its contribution to climate change. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Kaurah's research forms the basis for the management of families susceptible to an inherited stomach cancer. Her results not only provide more precise risk figures to improve genetic counselling, but also demonstrate the importance of long-term symptom management. Both findings have influenced the care of families internationally. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Alkhalaf examined the impact of including research variables that are naturally skewed (such as level of education) in logistic regression, a modeling technique used for making predictions. She found that addition of these variables might negatively impact statistical conclusions and interpretations. Her work concludes with guidelines for researchers. | Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Cooper explored patterns of human dietary variation through stable isotope analysis of hair samples from modern and archaeological populations. Her research shows the applicability of hair isotope analysis in understanding current and past human diets. | Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Cohen studied rare genetic syndromes causing generalized overgrowth. She expanded the spectra of genetic mutations and physical characteristics observed in patients affected with one of these disorders, called Weaver syndrome, and took the first steps in investigating the mechanism of disease at the molecular level. Dr. Cohen also identified a new cause of syndromic overgrowth, which will lead to more diagnoses of rare overgrowth patients in Genetics clinics across the world. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2017 | Instances of malicious software have increased significantly over the past several years. Dr. Alam developed a framework that uses machine learning to detect devices infected with malware on smartphones. This new adaptable framework will have considerable impact as new learning algorithms are developed and sensors are modified on smartphone devices. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Lai investigated an acute myeloid leukemia model to identify and characterise key regulators of leukemia. She determined regions of an oncogene responsible for leukemic initiation, growth and drug resistance, and identified a new gene critical to these properties. Her work provides new insight into leukemia and potential treatment targets. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Knowlton examined how indigenous Q'eqchi' Mayas' political encounters in defense of their ancestral territory in Guatemala resulted in moments of individual and collective learning. This research highlights the role of cultural continuity in Q'eqchi's' political organizing against extractive industries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Jagdeo explored new ways in which picornaviruses hijack host cellular pathways to support the viral life cycle. The picornavirus family include many clinically relevant viruses such as poliovirus and coxsackievirus. Her work has provided new insights into viral-host interactions required to promote infection that may contribute to disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Yue developed an integrated system that recovers phosphorus from municipal wastewater. The system could produce high quality effluent from treatment plants, reduce waste sludge, and recover phosphorus as an eco-friendly fertilizer. Dr. Yue's research showcased how to turn waste into resources. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Beausoleil's research addresses how Canada can create a more innovative society. She experimented with UBC's strategic design method to develop a way of teaching the core thinking competencies required to be an innovator and devised a way to measure levels of innovativeness in individuals and organizations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2017 | Increasingly, computer simulations are being used in the field of education. Dr. Olvera Astivia studied computer algorithms used in simulations in the field of psychometrics, the study of mental capacity. His findings revealed that these algorithms rely on unacknowledged assumptions that, if altered, can change the design and conclusions obtained from these simulations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Halperin investigated novel methods for forest monitoring in the miombo woodlands of Zambia, Africa. He demonstrated that cost-efficient optical satellite imagery can be combined with ground data and soils maps to precisely map forest resources. These maps and information are critically needed for sustainable forest management. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2017 | Sexual reproduction requires the creation of sperm and eggs within the complex environment of the body. Dr. Fairchild investigated how specialized cells within the body form a physical architecture that guides the formation of sperm. This physical architecture is critical for the creation of sperm and consequently for the fertility of animals. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Dudill examined fine sediment inputs to gravel bed rivers, and their effect on sediment transport, sedimentation and channel stability. The results were found to depend on the joint properties of the sediments, and have significant implications for river engineering and aquatic ecology. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Tam's research examined the molecular mechanisms governing the progression of prostate cancer. His contributions to this field have shed light on some of the driving forces behind the disease and will help inspire novel therapeutics for those suffering from it. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Arora studied Sikh women living in the Widow Colony slum after the 1984 Sikh massacre in Delhi, India. She found that a city's spatial configuration impacts gender violence, and that violence has long-term effects on the body, memory, and kinship. She also examined how religious practices aid healing, and 1984's importance in the Sikh diaspora. | Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Lanaro used molecular simulations to observe how crystals form and dissolve in solution. The simulation data was collected and analized to uncover details about the first stages of crystal formation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |