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. Zhao investigated the production of the waxy layer on plant surfaces that protects them against water loss, UV light, pathogens and insects. Her work resulted in the discovery of a novel mechanism that controls the expression of genes involved in the formation of this protective layer. Her results may have important agricultural applications. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2015 | High-fat diet consumption leads to increased insulin levels and obesity. However, Dr. Mehran showed that if insulin levels are kept low, high-fat diet consumption will not result in obesity. He also worked to show that insulin is locally produced in the brain, which is important for metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Nir developed novel algorithms for matching medical images of the prostate that are acquired by pathology, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. His research involved an emerging imaging modality that measures tissue elasticity. The results of the study can be applied in clinical usage to improve diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Ebrahimnejad studied how the presence of impurities and other particles affects the motion of electrons in solids. He proposed an accurate solution that challenged the current understanding of high-temperature superconductors. His findings has paved the way for a complete solution to the problem of superconductivity in these complex materials. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Helmuth completed his PhD in mathematics. He focused on developing and analyzing connections between two seemingly different topics: idealized models of gases and random walks. This research contributes to our understanding of statistical properties of strongly interacting systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Wu studied the infection pathway in cells affected by the Influenza A virus. She examined the pathway of Influenza A viruses from cellular surface to cellular nucleus at the beginning of an infection. Her findings help us understand how the Influenza A viruses infect humans, and this may lead to new pharmaceutical approaches for flu treatment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Roosta-Khorasani studied computationally efficient algorithms for solving large scale inverse problems with many data sets. Such problems arise in many areas of science and engineering, such as medical imaging and geophysics. These new algorithms in Dr. Roosta's work allow high quality reconstructions with high computational efficiency | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Panah studied the vibration characteristics of spinning flexible disks used in sawing wood. He provided significant insights into the complex dynamic behavior of circular saws through analytical and experimental investigations. His findings provide guidelines for designing the optimum operational speed of circular saws in forest industries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Bagherzadeh completed his doctoral studies in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. He provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms of methane recovery from hydrate deposits, an unconventional source of natural gas. This information is expected to assist field engineers optimize the recovery of natural gas. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. MacDowell studied the ways in which girls develop new skills and confidence in design, media and technology. She collaborated with a team of youth researchers to create the 101 Technology Fun design community. Her findings contribute to the Tween Empowerment & Advocacy Methodology, which empowers girls as leaders, innovators, and change makers. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Kojima studied the mobility of Asian migrants who are sexual minorities in Vancouver, including Gay and Bisexual. His ethnographic study critically documents how race, gender and sexuality shape the politics of belonging in transnational contexts. The study adds to the theorizing about sexual citizenship, multiculturalism and immigration in Canada. | Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Lam examined how mood regulation, maladaptive pain coping and social support impacts pain, for individuals living with spinal cord injury. This research highlights the importance of considering the contributions of both psychological and social factors in the experience of pain, and may aid in designing effective pain management interventions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Rudrum studied the social organization of maternity care and birth in a rural community in post-conflict northern Uganda. She found that pregnant women had to navigate complex power relationships, as well as overcome financial and logistical challenges, in order to access care. Her research has implications for maternity care practice and policy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Park identified a key molecular mechanism by which toxic protein deposits, known as islet amyloid, destroy insulin-producing beta-cells. Her research suggests potential treatments to prevent the loss of beta-cells in type 2 diabetes. These treatments may also improve survival of islet transplant grafts in recipients with type 1 diabetes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Copley studied developmental changes in blood stem cells. He showed that such changes are regulated by a molecular pathway that is controlled at the level of the stem cell itself. This research may inform methods to expand blood stem cells and help to explain the unique behaviour of childhood leukemias compared to adult leukemias. | Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Zhang completed her doctoral project in diabetes research. During her studies, she developed novel cell- and matrix-based approaches to protect pancreatic insulin-producing cells in diabetes models. These new strategies can be further developed and exploited as feasible approaches for treatment of diabetes in clinical settings. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Morrison studied helping relationships in the Portuguese-Canadian community. The resulting ethnographic description has provided a cultural tool for counselling psychologists and other mental health professionals who work with this population. Her work has also advanced methodology for conducting research with hard-to-reach populations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. McGregor explored the recent history of change in the Nunavut school system. She focused on a non-Indigenous educational leader's career biography, the role of Elders, curriculum development and leadership training. She found life-long learning and continuous practices of sharing stories contribute to advancing decolonizing goals for schools. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Hossain advanced our understanding of how the connectivity in the brain of a vertebrate develops. By using tadpoles as a model system for brain growth, she observed growing brain cells. Dr. Hossain detected features that have been grossly overlooked previously, and which may hold the key to understanding brain formation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 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) |