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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Dr. Frohard-Dourlent examined the experiences of BC educators who work with transgender students. This work shows that educators navigate entrenched structures and communication patterns that favour gender conformity and make it difficult to support students. This work also highlights changes in educational practices so that students of all genders can thrive. | Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Poormasjedi-Meibod completed her doctoral studies in the field of drug delivery and wound healing. She developed a new generation of wound dressings with anti-scarring properties. The findings of her study will improve the wound healing outcome and the quality of life in millions of burn survivors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Mahon developed a computer model to simulate zinc electrowinning cell houses. The resulting simulation was used to investigate optimal electrolyte conditions, process control applications, and reagent consumption. His work will improve energy efficiency and data analysis in zinc production facilities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Little is known about what makes for effective alternative education programs, or AEPs. From the perspective of former students, Dr. Hofer identified effective aspects of AEPs, including caring teachers and life skills learning. Her study revealed AEPs to be positive contexts to support some youth-at-risk, refuting current negative views of AEPs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Sylvester examined whether variety is truly a spice of life when it comes to exercise. He found that variety does influence how people feel in exercise settings, and can change their exercise behaviour. This knowledge will aid health promotion specialists to help more people enjoy exercise and reap the health benefits from physical activity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Boeck's research was focused on silicon photonics, which is an emerging technology for processing data using light. He created silicon photonic devices that will enable next generation computing, sensing, and telecom applications. His research was aimed at achieving commercially viable devices and will be central to the future of high-tech. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Glier investigated the role of methyl metabolism in obesity-related heart disease. She discovered that disturbances in methyl metabolism contribute to obesity-related changes in cardiac energy metabolism and function. Her research provides insight into molecular mechanisms linking obesity and the development of heart disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Petley-Ragan studied how glial cells support the development and function of the nervous system. Using the fruit fly, Lindsay found that an outer layer of glial cells produces a key component of the extracellular matrix and that these glial cells maintain the structure of the nervous system and animal health. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Gagne examined variations in the academic achievement and well-being of foreign-born adolescents in BC and sought to identify predictors of this variation. Through her research, she identified a number of assets and risks associated with variations in outcomes supporting the idea that migration itself is not the main variant. | Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Tebianian compared the advanced experimental methods for characterizing fluidized beds used to react gases with solid particles. By working with research centres in Canada, England, and the U.S, he revealed the strengths and limits of each method. His work provided insights into these systems and a unique database for testing theoretical models. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Kreger examined the philosophical and religious aspects of the Chinese text the Liezi. His findings show that the text takes Nonbeing, or absolute nothingness, as not only the basic nature of reality, but also as an ethical teaching. This research clarifies our understanding of philosophical discourse in early medieval China. | Doctor of Philosophy in Asian Studies (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Skipper studied how teachers develop insights and knowledge about their practice. He examined personal, professional and social influences that contribute to individual understandings of teaching. His research addresses the complex considerations that drive teacher professional identities. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Chenery studied the effects of parasitic worm infections and vitamin A metabolism on mucosal inflammation. He found protective roles for these factors in controlling asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. These findings may support the new generation of therapeutics to treat these inflammatory diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Plumb studied the role of the immune signaling protein, Interleukin-7, in the immune response. He discovered novel roles for IL-7 in the development of T lymphocytes and in T cell response and protection against Influenza A infection. This work will inform the development of IL-7 related therapies for immune modulation and reconstitution. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Fellner used Cree/Métis research to explore how mental health services can better serve urban Indigenous communities. She developed a decolonizing framework based in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing, to guide changes in research, training, practice, and policy that may contribute to healing and wellness with Indigenous communities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Naimi investigated the relationship between energy consumption and particle size, and the impact of biomass properties on size reduction. She developed a model that predicts the grinding energy required to reach a specific particle size for efficient biofuel production. Her research has advanced our knowledge in an inevitable, yet unknown step in biomass pretreatment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Fridkin explored issues surrounding the meaningful involvement of First Nations people in health policy decision-making in BC and Canada. She analyzed the findings to identify seven key elements of meaningful involvement and developed a framework for fostering meaningful involvement of First Nations people in a range of health policy contexts. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Hoogeveen examined mining regulations and conflicts over territory between Indigenous peoples and mining companies in the interior of British Columbia. She demonstrates how the state facilitates a model of property rights that favour the extraction industry from the staking stage through to environmental assessment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Lim studied the mathematical behavior of financial options that depend on multiple underlying stocks, and how the prices for the underlying stocks can move in such a manner to optimize the price of the option. He showed that such optimal movements exhibit a certain natural extremal structure which is visible in higher dimensional spaces. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Mancini explored how linguistics research on the production and reception of speech can contribute to understanding poetry, literature and literary history. He found that rumour, reported speech and unhappy laughter have been important forces in shaping literary canons. His work contributes to dialogue between social sciences and humanities. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Javaherian's doctoral studies focused on the prediction of post-earthquake damage to buildings. He developed a mathematical model that predicts the probability of damage considering the influence of multiple variables for reinforced concrete walls. He also extended a computer program to visualize building damage after an earthquake. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Can infants learn about social conventions? Dr. Zhao studied how infants may learn about conventions, including using the common-ness of behaviours, and by looking at other people's emotional reactions. Her research shows that infants can learn about social conventions by observing those around them in the first year of life. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2016 | In a world increasingly reliant on technology, Dr. Hafizi Moori studied electronic circuits and developed a unique design to measure capacitance value of sensors with a better sensitivity. Capacitive sensors, which work based on electric charge storage, are commonly used in technologies like touch-screens, compasses and humidity sensors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Smyth used the techniques of string theory to study poorly understood phases of matter. The resulting models represent another step forward in our effort to understand these systems within the context of string theory. This research has also advanced our understanding of the connections between condensed matter physics and string theory. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. May examined the neurological and social perception of language in young infants. These studies advance our understanding of language acquisition during the first year of life. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |