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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Dr. Heppner's doctoral research focussed on a rare, inherited childhood disease known as MPS-1. He used genomic technologies to demonstrate that the disease is more complex and begins earlier than previously thought. He developed a novel model of the disease's mechanisms that will guide future research and support early diagnosis and treatment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Shiah studied integrated circuit design techniques for devices within a cellphone that sense motion. He developed a detailed design flow and verified the proposed techniques by successfully testing prototype chips. His findings can be applied to improve the accuracy and performance of the sensory systems while making them more energy efficient. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Montes-Aste found fractal patterns in the temporal dynamics of commercial shrimp catches off the BC coast. He discovered a close link between a long-range temporal memory in fisheries and oceanographic variability. This led to development of a novel early warning indicator to be used in predicting major changes through the history of the fishery. | Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography (PhD) |
| 2015 | Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation, which greatly increases the risk of various health problems such as type 2 diabetes. Why does obesity-associated inflammation develop? Is there a way to reverse it? Dr. Han's research shows that a type of immune cells called regulatory T cells plays an important part in answering these questions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | What do young parents do with health information, and how does it affect health outcomes? Dr. Greyson found that parents have complex, sophisticated methods for assessing health information. These findings will help public health organizations and educators use information more effectively to improve the health of young parents and their children. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Knight studied the pragmatics of anger in Roman society during the late Republic and early Empire. She illustrated the complex relationship between anger and Roman politics. By focusing on how anger was employed in the professional contexts of the orator and emperor, she enhanced our understanding of the role of emotions in Roman public life. | Doctor of Philosophy in Classics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. So searched for a subatomic particle predicted by a principle called supersymmetry. Such a particle may be an origin of mass. By analyzing particle decays produced in a laboratory, Dr. So ruled out many possible ways the particle can exist. His results significantly constrain supersymmetry and improve our understanding of the nature of mass. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Li studied the way in which the implantation of human placenta is regulated by a protein named activin. That protein is found where the fetus connects with the mother. The findings provide insights into the biology of placenta implantation, and can improve the diagnosis and treatment methods used in pregnancies with dysfunctional placenta. | Doctor of Philosophy in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences (PhD) |
| 2015 | Psychotherapists in training often find it challenging to facilitate group sessions. Dr. Hoover created and evaluated an innovative program to increase confidence and competence when leading difficult or complex groups. This program, which promotes experiential learning, has proved to be an effective method for training psychotherapy group leaders. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Drawing on philosophy and moral psychology, Dr. Bigari explored the relationship between moral development and personal autonomy. He spoke to debates over these educational aims between liberals, communitarians, and fundamentalists. Dr. Bigari hopes this work will improve educational policies and practices in pluralist societies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Davaanyam's research advanced the application of High Pressure Grinding Roll, an energy efficient technology used to break up rocks. He developed three laboratory scale tests that allow assessment of the technology in the early stages of a mining project. This technology reduces overall energy usage of mining operations by up to thirty percent. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | What would the world be like without things? Dr. Ford spun the impossibility of that question on its head. He surfaced the vital role of the material world at sea in producing oceanic knowledge in the mid- 20th century. Things of the sea turn up in stories, and her study demonstrates how science and narrative have at times been one and the same. | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD) |
| 2015 | Using systems biology approaches, Dr. Wee investigated the molecular basis of lower immune responses against infection in newborns and adults, sixty-five years and older. This study sheds light on the molecular pathways that influence age-dependent differences in immune systems, which may result in differences in the clinical outcome of infection. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Nourbakhsh constructed electrical molecular decelerators for the first time in Canada, at UBC. Using these decelerators, called Stark Decelerators, the molecules can be slowed down and trapped, and then their interaction with light and matter can be accurately investigated. These results can help in making future molecular quantum computers. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Hoiles completed his doctoral studies in the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He constructed predictive models of engineered tethered bilayer lipid membranes. These models provided novel insights into biological membrane dynamics and the development of tethered membrane based bio-sensors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Moyles examined a mathematical model of pattern formation, which has relevance to growth of organisms, patterning on seashells, and even hot spots of crime in urban communities. The significance of his contribution was the role of the saturation of a particular chemical species on the formation, longevity, and evolution of patterns. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Ardiel investigated the ways in which experience can change brains. He identified two signalling pathways that shape performance on a newly-established learning task. Identifying the molecular basis of learning and memory is essential for developing treatments for neurodegenerative disorders and memory deficits associated with ageing. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Galizia investigated the role of the liquidation and accumulation of capital in the business cycle, both as a cause of and as an amplifier of booms and busts. This issue has important implications for the appropriate design of government policies aimed at mitigating and preventing recessions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Ark focused on introducing a method for estimating the variance components required for generalizability theory (GT) with ordered categorical ratings. This research provides a proof of concept of this method, called ordinal GT. It offer researchers a new statistical avenue for computing relative G-coefficients when using ordinal variables | Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Rogers examined how people form accurate first impressions of others. By studying pairs of people, or dyads, she found that impressions were influenced by the personality of the individuals and the characteristics of the interaction. This shows the importance of the nature of the dyadic interaction in determining the accuracy of first impressions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Ruks demonstrated that vast tracts of Vancouver Island are the remnants of a previously unrecognized chain of volcanoes, three hundred million years old, that originated far off the coast of North America. The geology of these ancient volcanoes suggests that they are likely to contain significant deposits of both base and precious metals. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Turner's research in the field of geoscience was a collaboration between the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta. He explored the way light interacts with minerals of strategic importance using reflectance spectroscopy. The findings of his research have already been harnessed by geoscience and remote sensing communities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD) |
| 2015 | How many salmon do harbour seals eat? This simple question is difficult to answer. Dr. Thomas developed a diet analysis method involving high-throughput DNA sequencing, to better understand the ecological role of harbour seals. He found that seals target salmon species of concern in the juvenile life stage, and eat adults of abundant salmon species. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Forsey analyzed the relationship between New Age spiritualism and 21st century capitalism in the United States. She demonstrated how New Age attitudes about profit-making and work draw on the Hindu doctrines of Karma and Dharma. These attitudes influence a unique form of online entrepreneurship that draws on the virtues of service and generosity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Depew completed his doctoral studies in the field of Physics. He investigated Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, which provides a broad range of diagnostic capability in medical applications. Dr. Depew's research contributed novel techniques to improve image acquisition and reconstruction fidelity in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |