Doctoral Citations

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
2014 Dr. Karim completed his doctoral studies in the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He developed a methodology for simulating the dynamic behaviour of Quantum-dot Cellular Automata circuits, known as QCA circuits. QCA is an emerging nanoscale computing paradigm, capable of performing classical and quantum computation. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2014 Dr. MacKenzie studied the effects of adding turbulent drag reducing additives to a pulp processing hydrocyclone, which is used to separate solids and liquids. He found that polymer agents have the capacity to fundamentally change the internal flow field. This was found to limit the effectiveness of hydrocyclone units in isolating contaminants. . Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD)
2014 Dr. Tracy studied the politics of nature protection in Canada, New Zealand and Norway. She found that decentralized nature protection governance has significant limitations, especially when dealing with protecting eco-regions defined by high opportunity costs. Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD)
2014 With the escalation of smartphone users choosing Android and iPhone devices, and the success of social networking giants such as Facebook, the demand for wireless services has grown tremendously. Dr. Boostanimehr has developed algorithms for managing large networks that will help to address several issues in the wireless smartphone industry. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2014 Dr. Barber's study of cultural heritage in Hong Kong used a perspective informed by relational urbanism and policy mobility. Case studies of locational conflicts and policy change raised new theoretical and political questions by showing that the uses of heritage are simultaneously local and global, progressive and conservative. Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD)
2014 Dr. Ma studied how cellular activities in the anterior cingulate cortex in rat brain represent behavioral events during action sequences. She identified the distinct ways in which quantitative and qualitative information is encoded simultaneously. The findings contribute to our knowledge of how the brain monitors and evaluates our ongoing experience. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2014 Dr. Davis examined the role of evolutionary theory in explaining religious belief and behaviour. His research shows that both genetic selection and cultural selection play essential roles in religious evolution, and this research contributes to our understanding not only of religious psychology, but also of human evolution in general. Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (PhD)
2014 Dr. Klubben explored women's experience of exiting street sex work. Her study examines steps taken throughout the transition, including obstacles faced and resources needed. Overall, with this information, Dr. Klubben aims to work to remove barriers, increase resources and make the transition out of prostitution easier for sex workers in the future. Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)
2014 Dr. Meredith discovered the links between proteins in the blood and structural changes within the heart in acute heart failure patients. The proteins she identified were related to patient outcomes and response to treatment. This work adds to our understanding of heart failure development, and the processes involved in recovery from cardiac injury. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2014 Dr. Royer devised deterministic and statistical models of seismic deconvolution. She exploited the latter model to generate low frequency earthquake templates from tectonic tremor. Its application to the Cascadia subduction zone provides insight into the plate boundary properties. Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics (PhD)
2014 Dr. Ha studied the genome alterations in the DNA of cancer cells. He developed novel computational algorithms to detect these mutations in breast and ovarian cancer patients. His work has advanced our understanding of how tumours evolve and will facilitate future studies on genetic causes for treatment resistance and cancer metastasis. Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD)
2014 Dr. Shadkam studied the mechanical properties of pure and binary alloys of copper. Based on carefully designed experiments, a physically-based model to describe the work-hardening behaviour of the alloys was developed. The model can be applied to advanced high strength aluminum alloys for aerospace applications or niche steels for defense applications. Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD)
2014 Dr. Graham challenged the promotion of harm reduction as an appropriate response to prostitution. She drew on interviews with women active in anti-violence and advocacy work with women in prostitution. The study reveals the limitations of harm reduction, and supports feminist arguments for women's freedom, including the abolition of prostitution. Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)
2014 Dr. Das Gupta's study of the determinants of nutrient consumption in India helps unravel hitherto unexplored factors that affect food demand in less developed countries. His work reveals the role played by conspicuous consumption in reducing calorie intake among the rural poor in India. This research should inform future anti-malnutrition policy. Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD)
2014 Dr. Solez contributed to the cultural history of ancient Greece. He demonstrated that banqueting or feasting was the ideal mode of cultural contact in the worldview of Greeks in the eighth and seventh centuries BCE. Multicultural banquets explain the continuities in Mediterranean banqueting-styles and other evidence of cultural exchange. Doctor of Philosophy in Classics (PhD)
2014 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. Dr. Yan tried to develop a new cure for prostate cancer based on the natural molecules found in an Indonesian marine sponge. With his colleagues, Dr. Yan has identified the structure of a promising anti-cancer drug which may save the lives of thousands of Canadian men every year. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD)
2014 Dr. Pearson studied views held by administrators, faculty members and undergraduate students on curriculum integration in a program of study. She found that students had a better understanding of ways in which curriculum elements are integrated across disciplines, and of teaching approaches. Her findings suggest future direction for curriculum reform. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2014 Dr. Asghari examined the distribution and function of Ryanodine Receptors, which are calcium channels in heart muscles. Her work provided a new mechanism by which the contraction of heart may be regulated. These findings might open up new avenues to heart disease therapies. Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD)
2014 Dr. Burns explored factors that influence a police officer's decision to access psychological services. Her research deepens our understanding of help seeking within the context of police culture. Based on her findings, she proposes strategies and changes to current practices that will more effectively meet the needs of the policing population. Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)
2014 Dr. Stukas studied novel therapeutic treatments for Alzheimer's Disease. Her research leveraged knowledge of the beneficial effects of high density lipo-proteins, also known as the good cholesterol, to impede or reverse progress of the disease in the brain. Her findings demonstrate that what is good for the heart is also good for the brain. Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD)
2014 Dr. Pryjma studied the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni, which acts as a disease causing agent . His research demonstrates how Campylobacter regulates its own metabolism and how it infects human cells. These finding are important as they help to explain how Campylobacter induces disease and what nutrient sources it uses while doing so. Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD)
2014 Dr. Dong investigated the movement of atoms in multi-layered structures for semiconductor devices. He built a set of models which can predict those movements precisely under certain conditions. Those models play a key role in the design of new device structures and thermal processes for next-generation semiconductor devices. Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD)
2014 Dr. Bernhard studied the regulation of HIV-1 latency. She characterized an important mechanism involved in repression of HIV-1 and identified and characterized small molecules that purge cells latently infected with HIV-1. These findings increase our understanding of how HIV-1 expression is regulated and move us closer to a cure for HIV-1/AIDS. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2014 Dr. Zhang studied Alzheimer's disease at UBC`s Townsend Family Laboratories. She found that, in mouse models, a protein called UCHL1 delays Alzheimer's development, by reducing the formation of plaque in the brain. Dr. Zhang's work highlights the potential of UCHL1 to treat Alzheimer's disease. Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD)
2014 Dr. Bazargani studied the seismic demands on reinforced concrete columns in high-rise shear wall buildings. His research will help engineers design safer new buildings as well as conduct seismic evaluation of older buildings. The results of his computer simulations have had a direct impact on the 2015 edition of the National Building Code of Canada. Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD)

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