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. Therrien developed and explored a new class of molecular catalysts to enable the conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels. This research contributes to the understanding required for using hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline, in a sustainable manner. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Yousefzadeh studied how mechanical vibrations transmit through certain types of structures used in industries such as turbomachinery and aerospace. His research revealed the necessary conditions for a transmission mechanism to exist. He plans to expand and apply his knowledge and methodologies to design safer turbomachines in the future. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Petryayeva developed an inexpensive and portable smartphone-based platform for molecular diagnostic tests, which can be used to identify and to treat diseases. This platform took advantage of smartphone built-in cameras and light-emitting nanomaterials. Her work may have important applications in point-of-care testing and personalized medicine. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Nielsen completed her research working on T2K, an international particle physics experiment designed to investigate how neutrinos change as they travel. She developed a method to improve the understanding of neutrino interaction rates, allowing for significant reduction of the uncertainties on future neutrino oscillation measurements for this experiment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Mirsadeghi designed and built a photonic integrated circuit that could trap nanoscale gold particles using optical forces. He subsequently characterized the size and shape of the trapped particles with high sensitivity. The results of his work could impact nanoscale research in different fields from nanosciences to biology and medicine. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Islam showed that harm reduction interventions significantly reduce hepatitis C (HCV) reinfection, and that protection against one HCV type does not provide protection against other HCV types. His findings inform comprehensive public health approaches to HCV prevention and provide promising insights regarding hepatitis C vaccine development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD) |
| 2017 | Hearing oneself while speaking is known to have an effect on speech production and perception. Dr. Stelle investigated the more unusual form of real time, visual feedback on speech production, and showed how this feedback affects speakers. Her work expands our understanding of speech motor control. | Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Lau's doctoral studies focused on the creation of inexpensive and low toxicity metal catalysts for the production of pharmaceutically relevant molecules. Catalysts accelerate difficult chemical reactions without undergoing any permanent change. They can also be reused, which reduces chemical waste and cost. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Havaei studied how the organization of nursing care influences the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes. Her findings showed fewer essential tasks left undone when nurses work independently versus in teams; and fewer negative patient outcomes with an all-RN nursing staff. These findings will help with future nurse workforce planning. | Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Mewis developed a technique for the identification of bacterial enzymes capable of degrading plant matter. He used it to study the order in which wood is degraded as it moves through the digestive tract of the beaver. The results allowed for a new sub-classification system for these enzymes, which will help to improve biofuel technologies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Genome Science and Technology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Anas studied ultrasound imaging. He developed a technique to enable ultrasound guidance in wrist surgery by combining the ultrasound images with pre-operative CT images through a statistical wrist model. Results indicate his approach will have significant crossover impact on other computer-assisted applications. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Salimi Elizei investigated the anti-inflammatory role of the tryptophan degrading enzyme (IDO) and downstream metabolites on T Helper 17 cells, which have been connected to inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. She subsequently showed that IDO cell therapy improved the disease condition in psoriasis-like dermatitis. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Liang studied the oversight and regulation regime of China's domestic cap-and-trade carbon market in the context of the country's environmental governance reform. Her research provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between law, administrative regulation and market in China, in both their long-run equilibrium and dynamic interactions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Lyon studied the third age, a life course stage promoted by academic, professional and popular texts consisting of a healthy, prosperous, flexible retirement. Her ethnographic work showed that low-income women from the baby boomer generation interpreted these discourses in distinct ways according to their class, gender, and status. | Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Momayyezi studied photosynthetic variation in black cottonwood poplars native to different latitudes. She showed that higher rates of photosynthesis at high latitude are associated with superior physical and biochemical characteristics in relation to CO2 transfer inside leaves. Her findings help focus efforts to improve yield in trees and crops. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Jenkins showed that Acute Leukemias are dependent on the genes IGF1R and RUNX1 for disease pathogenesis. She identified regulation of downstream signaling pathways and the epigenome as important underlying contributors. This research highlights key pathways suitable for future therapeutic intervention in Myeloid and Lymphoid leukemias. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Guo developed a novel microfluidic chip to process human blood and sort individual red and white blood cells based on their mechanical deformability. This technique has not only improved the diagnostic sensitivity of malaria, humanity's most devastating infectious disease, but also enabled the sorting of white blood cells based on their phenotypes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Cowin analyzed federal and provincial government policy on both public and private post-secondary education in BC. His research centered on fair access for students, job preparation and marketization. His focus on long term trends across the entire post-secondary system will help policy makers better assess the cumulative implications of their decisions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. LeDue's research revealed a neural mechanism that controls how hunger influences what an animal is willing to eat. In the fruit fly, she showed how the brain uses information about external taste input and nutritional status to guide important feeding decisions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2017 | Bleeding is the major side-effect of heparin anticoagulants that are used to prevent blood clotting during surgeries. Dr. Kalathottukaren developed a molecule that is nontoxic and efficient to stop bleeding induced by heparins. Successful translation of this molecule into clinics would reduce blood transfusions and make anticoagulation therapy safer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2017 | High-speed turbo-machines can suffer from self-induced instabilities as in the unstable operation of NASA's space shuttle engines during the space exploration race with the Soviet Union. Dr. Miraskari's research investigates such faults, proposes safe regions of operation, and offers prospective design modifications for high speed rotating machinery. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Wolowic studied digital technology use among Nisga'a and Tsimshian youth before and after the arrival of Facebook and cell phones in their small city. Her research shows how this urban Indigenous community uses Facebook to re-express traditions and respond to challenges created by colonialism. Her collaborations also created images that circulated among the community in digital and material forms. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Hussein developed a novel microscopic pedestrian simulation model. His model showed a high accuracy in simulating pedestrian movements and predicting their behavior during different interactions. His research will aid in developing a solid understanding of pedestrian behavior and studying a variety of applications, including pedestrian safety. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Jalaal studied droplets of complex fluids. He developed mathematical and experimental methods to analyze flows in small scales. His findings contribute to the development of new fabrication techniques such as 3D printing. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2017 | Dr. Evans-Cockle examined the influence of Erasmian Christian Humanism on the prophetic poetics of Edmund Spenser and John Milton. He showed how Erasmus's grammatical hermeneutics changed the way early modern Protestants read the Bible and how this, in turn, opened new creative horizons for the exploitation of biblical texts by early modern poets. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |