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. Graydon Kelsall used sequence analysis to explore the academic pathways of one Ontario college cohort. The study details diverse student transitions and suggests institutional and system barriers to student success. Her recommendations argue for individually-focused institutional support rather than approaches based on group characteristics. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Jaferian developed a new method for evaluating the usability of IT security tools. He subsequently applied his method to design a novel tool for managing the access of users in large organizations. He then proved the effectiveness of the tool by showing that it increases accuracy and performance of users, compared to existing systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Bepple studied the strategies used by international post-secondary students to obtain work in Canada after graduation. In addition to academic knowledge, those students want to acquire work-based skills, relationships, cultural understanding and credentials. She concludes that the students benefit from experiential learning opportunities. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2015 | Dr. TaheriNejad studied Vehicular Power-Line Communication, a System on Chip project in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He researched methods by which the use of power-lines in motor vehicles for communication can be facilitated. This adaptation can lead to less wiring in cars, and a reduction in both production cost and weight of vehicles. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Brigidi examined how our brains learn and remember. He demonstrated that the addition of a small fatty acid to a protein in the brain is essential for processes that occur during learning. This work provides a clue as to how our daily tasks lead to biochemical changes in the brain that can eventually result in the formation of memories. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Marchant studied the ways in which electromagnetic geophysical experiments are affected by chargeability. Chargeable materials can indicate the presence of metals and mineral deposits. His work resulted in new methods to simulate and recognize the effects of chargeability, and provided new tools that will benefit the mineral exploration industry. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Hartwell investigated methods of wound repair. Wounds that remain open, risk infection, and heat and fluid loss, so one approach to repair is to rebuild skin. Using biocompatible materials, Dr. Hartwell engineered a novel collagen scaffold system, which starts as a powder and can be used to repair complicated wounds such as ulcers and burns. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Fan developed a simple method to rapidly decrease the amount of a given protein in the brain or body. This method can be used by scientists to study the function of proteins. It may be further developed as a new therapeutic that eliminates disease-causing proteins, such as those involved in Huntington's or Parkinson's disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Honarvar focused on a new medical imaging technique called elastography, which measures tissue elasticity. He developed novel methods for calculating tissue elasticity, producing high quality and accurate elasticity images in a quick and efficient way. Tissue elastography can be used as a useful diagnostic tool, especially for cancer detection. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Lincez demonstrated the importance of the virus sensor MDA5 in offering protection from type 1 diabetes. By translating genetic observations in patients onto a mouse model, she discovered specific immune responses in the development of type 1 diabetes. Her work has provided a new target for preventative therapy in patients at risk of the disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Ramezani developed a method for classification of individuals with neurological and psychiatric disorders. He identified common information across brain structure and function to study depression. He showed that depressed and healthy individuals can be classified with high accuracy, solely based on the information gathered from brain structures. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Sopinka showed in Pacific salmon how maternal stress and changes in concentrations of egg cortisol influence offspring survival, physiology and behaviour. Her experiments on intergenerational effects help us understand how stressors that salmon face during homeward migration modify the subsequent generation of this iconic natural resource. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Hamilton studied the influence of structure and size on drug dynamics in the body. She engineered small drugs into large ones using polymers and found that it is possible to change toxicity and lower drug doses with careful design. Her work helped to develop a new drug class useful for treating patients with sickle-cell and other blood disorders. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Semczuk developed experimental techniques required for future studies of molecules in the ultra cold temperature regime. In his work he created the first in Canada Bose-Einstein condensate of weakly bound molecules. This helped to establish UBC as a leading Canadian institution within the field of degenerate quantum gases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Castillo Contreras developed a method to access the core of some natural compounds. These compounds exhibit extremely potent anti-malarial activity, can also serve as antibiotics and may treat cancer. His research can be used to tackle the synthesis of both natural and synthetic compounds to make cheaper drugs for treating malaria and cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Rueda Becerril conducted her research in Organic Chemistry. She discovered that compounds containing nitrogen-fluorine bonds were viable as sources of atomic fluorine and developed two new synthetic methodologies to incorporate this atom in different molecules. Her contribution has promising applications in the discovery of new pharmaceuticals. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Lai completed her doctorate in the field of Experimental Medicine. She studied a family of enzymes that control most processes in cells. Her research provided insights into the regulation of these enzymes and their linkages to diverse diseases. Discoveries from this work might help with the diagnosis and treatment of different types of cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | In his dissertation, Dr. Borkent proposes an interdisciplinary methodology for analyzing Canadian visual poetry, that is, poetry that must be both read and seen to be understood. He discusses conceptual, visual, linguistic, and improvisational mechanisms that yield an array of poetic forms, interpretive possibilities, and critical connections. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Fabbi developed an innovative initiative to support Arctic Studies and Indigenous language programs at the Canadian Studies Center at the University of Washington. Considering the Arctic as a distinct world region, informed by Inuit concepts of territory and sovereignty, reconfigures the approaches used for research and practice in the area. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Schroder completed his doctoral studies in the field of atmospheric chemistry. His work showed that black carbon particles emitted from incomplete combustion can be incorporated into cloud droplets, which can affect climate. This work will help to reduce uncertainty in computer models used to predict long term climate change. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2015 | From the Process Automation and Robotics Laboratory at UBC, Dr. Einafshar conducted research on satellites within a network. She proposed and developed networked control schemes to enable the systems to continue operating properly in the event of failures. Her work will contribute to the advancement of networked reconfiguration in the space industry. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Al Hajri focused on the next generation video interface, to create experiences that go beyond just pushing the play button. She studied how people watch and interact with videos to design strategies for future interfaces. This has allowed the development of new navigating and management tools that can be easily integrated into existing systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Zadehkhost examined the possibility of using advanced measurement devices to monitor electrical grids in real-time. As a result of his research he developed new methods to accurately and efficiently monitor and predict system status. These new approaches will help system operators to increase utilization and reliability of power systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Talbot examined relationships between early life stress and adult psychosocial functioning and health risk. Adult psychosocial functioning mediated the relationships between adverse childhood environments and adult sleep processes. This work has important implications for adult health outcomes and can help inform primary prevention efforts. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Wall completed his doctoral studies in the field of Geography. He used GPS tracking data to study the movements of elephants across the African continent. In addition to developing new geospatial methods and software, he used the tracking data to characterize the ways in which elephants use the landscape, so that they can be protected. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |