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. Bolandzadeh studied the effect of brain lesions on the cognitive and physical functioning of older adults. Her study suggests that targeted exercise may reduce the progression of these lesions, and improve cognitive and physical function in older adults. Her research contributions may reshape the study of older adults at risk of vascular dementia. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | What is a free society? Dr. Hellewell proposes that we understand liberty, not as the absence of interference, but as security against ``arbitrary power``, the power that lacks effective mechanisms for ensuring it is accountable to our rights. This conclusion has important implications for the design of political institutions in free societies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Wang studied the corrosion behaviour of niobium alloys used for human bio-implants. He developed several novel surface treatments to increase the effectiveness of implants using these alloys. These studies will assist us to develop the next generation of metallic bio-implants, to improve the function of implants, and increase their lifespan. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Valls explored new methods for understanding, modeling and predicting feeding relationships among marine species. She proposed a mathematical model to represent marine food webs and identify important and keystone species in ecosystems. Her research highlights the usefulness of digital and open-access information repositories in marine ecology. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Ahmadi Motlagh developed a new computer model which uses fewer resources to predict the flow in reactors producing gasoline from heavier hydrocarbons. Lab-scale experiments were conducted, as well as numerical simulations. The study sheds light on the complexities of gas/liquid/particle flow in the liquid injection zone of these reactors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Leung showed the new functional roles of two proteins, myoferlin and dysferlin, in normal lungs and in lung cancer. She found that myoferlin plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of lung cancer. Her work identifies the necessity of targeting myoferlin, to prevent the development of lung cancer and prolong the lifespan of patients. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Moyers studied natural selection on flowering time across the range of the silverleaf sunflower. Early flowering is favoured in some populations and late flowering in others, but flowering at different times means fewer opportunities to mate. This study provides insight into how natural selection can cause a single species to diverge into two. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Porteus studied red fox culling in Britain, which aims to keep fox density low on specific sites during the bird nesting period. He developed a local-scale population dynamics model to determine the effectiveness of culling. The model was then used to evaluate alternative culling strategies to reduce potential impacts of fox predation on birds. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Wilson explored the ways in which female adolescents with depression worked with their parents toward recovery. She found that the parent-adolescent relationship and familial support were key in stories of recovery. This research adds new dimensions to our understanding of recovery processes as goal-directed projects in families. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Zhang studied the gene regulation and function of an inflammatory factor called M.I.F. in stroke and Alzheimer's disease. She found that this factor protects neurons during a stroke, and plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease. These findings provide insights into developing better treatment for stroke and Alzheimer's patients. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Zrill completed his doctoral studies in the field of Economics. He developed a new approach to measure and recover preferences from observed economic choices made by individuals. This method can be applied in order to assess the distribution and magnitude of certain behavioural characteristics in the population, for example attitudes toward risk. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Bhatnagar studied spinal cord deformation during injury. He showed how a rodent's spinal cord injury can be quantified and related to the ensuing tissue damage. This work helps us to further understand the link between biomechanics and biology in spinal cord injury, and spans the fields of mechanical engineering, neuroscience and medical imaging. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Kilic developed a unified mathematical model to predict the optimal conditions of machining parts in a virtual environment. The science-based mathematical model enables the industry to produce mechanical parts more efficiently by eliminating costly physical trials. The results have a wide application in aerospace and machine tool industries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Fotsing examined the concept of culture in the contemporary African novel. His analysis demonstrates that there is a mixture of local and global cultures in fictional books written by African authors. It is therefore difficult to refer to that literature as if it had one single identity. This research challenges assumptions about African writing. | Doctor of Philosophy in French (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Colleter studied the impacts of fishing on food chains in marine ecosystems. He developed new tools, notably an online database to gather and communicate information from ecosystem models. He used that database to perform a large meta-analysis, and identified typical ways in which marine food chains are affected by fishing activities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. He conducted research in UBC's Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. He developed a novel probe for monitoring electrostatics and flow of particles in reactors used to make polyethylene and other products. His work is expected to help industry to solve static charge problems and improve the behaviour of commercial-scale reactors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Podgorski completed his research in the field of Neuroscience. He designed and built the first microscope able to simultaneously record synaptic input across an entire neuron in an awake animal. He used this and other technologies he developed to explain how patterns of activity shape the detailed structure of dendrites in developing neurons. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Mahmoudzadeh developed a solar rechargeable battery. The novel design results in less expensive utilization of solar power with higher energy storage yields, compared with a system of separate solar cells and batteries. It is hoped the solar battery will facilitate wider use of solar energy and reduce global carbon emissions from fossil fuels. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Aluthge developed a family of catalysts to generate biodegradable plastics. These polymers are derived from renewable resources and the catalysts produce superior materials with a variety of potential applications. It is hoped this work will contribute to the wider use of biodegradable plastics, which will ultimately benefit the environment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Gao completed his doctoral research in the field of Chemistry. He studied mass spectrometry and his findings allow for improved modelling of space charge effects. In addition he developed a new method to reduce these effects. As a result, the instrument performance of linear quadrupole ion trap mass analyzers can be improved. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Li studied the shear load capacity of cross laminated timber, or CLT, which is used to build tall timber buildings worldwide. This research expands our understanding of the CLT rolling shear, or the shear behaviour related to wood grain. The finding of the study leads to rational design of CLT timber structures at target performance level. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Krusi examined the social and structural factors that shape the working conditions of street-based sex workers in Vancouver. Her research shows how evolving sex work legislation, policing practices, and stigma intersect, to shape the working conditions of street-based sex workers, including their citizenship rights, violence, and ill health. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Poirier conducted research on Tuberculosis. She demonstrated how Myco-bacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen that causes Tuberculosis, manipulates and controls the infected host cell for its own advantage and survival. Her research could impact drug discovery and development, to better manage or prevent this notorious disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Suderman showed that the National Survey of Student Engagement is not currently designed to meet the diverse perspectives of international undergraduate students. Her study used extensive focus group analysis and the findings will influence international student development in higher education and research on student engagement theory. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Pascoe studied the airways of asthmatics. He examined the mechanical and molecular alterations that occur in the muscle that surrounds the airways. His research identified how normal muscle behaviours can affect airway stiffness, and may interact with changes in gene expression, to increase airway narrowing and limit the benefits of deep breaths. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |