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. Healy examined relationships between tolerances of high temperature and low oxygen, and metabolic responses to temperature change across multiple time scales in fish. His work highlights a need to incorporate an understanding of the physiological responses of organisms into predictions of the effects of climate change on species' distributions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Liao examined novel approaches for tuberculosis vaccines and treatments, including methods to improve the current BCG vaccine and also identification of a mycobacterial protein as a potential new drug target. Her research contributes valuable knowledge to the field of TB research and paves the way for better TB control strategies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2016 | Cells respond to signals, such as growth factors, by turning genes on or off. If gene regulation is disrupted, cancers may arise. Dr. Grants found that a regulatory protein, CDK-8, is a brake on gene activation by epidermal growth factor (or EGF) signaling, in the model organism C. elegans. This work suggests that CDK-8 may halt EGF-driven cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Ahmed studied spruce stocks in the boreal forest of Canada and examined the impacts of tree improvement programs on timber supply. Her findings provided a mechanism for estimating the yields at harvest over a large spatial and temporal extent. These results can help industry develop more effective policy for forest management and conservation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Kei explored the impact of household finances on seniors' activity in the labour market. She applied innovative techniques to investigate the effect that public pensions have on elderly immigrants' labour force participation and work intensity. She also studied the influence that immigration has on native-born households' decisions to move or stay where they are. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Tamminga developed methods to study river ecosystems using remote sensing with unmanned aerial vehicles. He applied these techniques to address how extreme flood events affect river morphology, hydraulics, and aquatic habitat. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Nouranian introduced a methodology to automate planning of radiation therapy treatment for prostate cancer. He demonstrated that using large data analytics, a statistical model can be developed that captures the flow of information in the planning process. This research can potentially help with improving quality assurance in cancer treatment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Park studied the issue of clerical marriage in modern Korean Buddhism. Her research showed that this practice among Korean monks during the Japanese colonial period was a phenomenon of Buddhist modernity. These findings advance a more complete understanding of the way in which Buddhist ethics were intertwined with modernity and colonialism. | Doctor of Philosophy in Asian Studies (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Ding completed his doctoral studies in Computer Science. He developed computational algorithms to predict the mutations only in cancer, and further quantify the impacts of these mutations on gene expression. His research improves the potential of identifying the most important mutations in cancer for personalized, targeted therapy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Brosch developed artificial intelligence models to automatically analyze medical images. His methods found patterns in the brain images of multiple sclerosis patients that can help monitor their disease. His work will help researchers understand multiple sclerosis imaging features and evaluate new treatments more efficiently and accurately. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Nikbakht studied fibre suspension dynamics. He found that the addition of fibres reduces the drag of turbulent flow. This increases our understanding of fluid drag and turbulent flow and can be applied to the pulp and paper industry. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Puurveen explored the experiences of nursing home residents with advanced dementia who were nearing the end of life. She found that care staff and families attended to the residents' dignity, personhood, and relationships in skilled and respectful ways. These findings provide direction for improving person-centred end-of-life dementia care. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2016 | Older adults who use a wheelchair often experience restricted participation. Dr. Giesbrecht developed and evaluated a computer tablet-based, home training program monitored on-line by a therapist. This innovative approach to treatment could change how we provide rehabilitation for a growing number of older adults with mobility challenges. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Narusevicius investigates Conceptual artists and their practices by focusing on the link with educational institutions, student protest movements, and a desire for autonomy in the 1960s and early 1970s. It is through an analysis of the relationship between Conceptual art and the various notions of autonomy that this research provides a deeper insight and understanding of Conceptual art. | Doctor of Philosophy in Art History (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Ludert studied the interactions of indigenous peoples and National Liberation Movements with organizations such as the UN, in relation to their conceptions of state sovereignty. He developed a theoretical framework and identified one important venue type. His work furthers our understanding of such political contexts and will inform public policy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. McCullough explored the psycho-social experience of mandated addiction treatment across different referral contexts. She developed a theory of engagement outlining how mandated clients actively choose, prepare for, and evaluate treatment. Her work highlights personal histories and quality supports and will have implications on treatment protocols. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Le Vasseur studied a group of channels that facilitate the movement of particles through the membranes and allow cells to communicate with each other. His work discovered that one channel remains inside the cell at point of contact with mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cells, where it controls the stimulation of programmed cell death. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Louca investigated how microorganisms interact with their environment. He has shown that microbial metabolic processes at ecosystem scales may be predicted with limited knowledge about the responsible microorganisms. His findings will enable a better understanding of the biochemistry of ecosystems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. May developed a tool to identify the reasons that people attempt suicide. She validated her tool in 5 populations, involving collaborations with Vancouver General Hospital and Brown University. The tool can help match suicidal people to effective, targeted treatments and will improve how mental health researchers study and understand suicide risk. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Everett-Kabut's research explores the use of theatrical performance as a tool for propaganda, education and community building in the early years of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation in 1930's Vancouver. This work suggests that workers' theatre in Canada was far more widespread than previously believed and suggests that theatre was and remains a vital tool for political and social change. | Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Fortelny examined and modeled interactions of proteases, a class of key cell enzymes underpinning biology and pathology. He developed computational models and databases that identify protease pathways and their targets in health and disease. His analyses revealed the unexpected pervasiveness and importance of protease interactions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Miao developed an effective imaging registration method to reveal motions of the patient and medical devices during medical imaging and treatment. His research enables motion corrected medical imaging, as well as advanced image guidance for life-saving minimally invasive procedures for treating cardiovascular diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Landry examined the academic field of writing studies in Canada. She defined this field based on scholars' demographic data, institutional locations, identities, and experiences. This research has the potential to improve the ways in which students learn to write and to increase legitimacy for those who work in writing studies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Burns studied thinking skills in patients with schizophrenia related disorders. She found that patients with schizophrenia had difficulty understanding irony, a difference that was also reflected in electrical activity in the brain. This study increases our understanding of schizophrenia and informs intervention strategies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Dorador studied the fragmentation process of block caving, an underground mining method. He developed a new approach to estimate block size distribution at drawpoints. His research contributes to the design of block cave mining projects during early stage engineering. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Engineering (PhD) |