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. Lindenberg conducted research using computer simulations to study model salts. She systematically varied the structural features of the ions and then established and explained the resulting melting point trends of the salts. She found diverse solid phases that may have interesting electrochemical applications, particularly as solid state electrolytes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Paylor's doctoral studies focused on stem cells in the heart. He demonstrated the important role they play in the scarring that occurs after a heart attack. He showed how to improve the heart's performance after serious injury, and these discoveries may potentially lead to benefit for patients suffering from a wide-variety of cardiac diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Jayo developed analytical methodologies for characterizing biological compounds, such as glycoproteins, in collaboration with academic institutions and research organizations. She demonstrated how modern techniques can solve complex bio-technology and bio-medical problems that could potentially benefit the bio-analytical community. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Feng studied migrant groups striving to integrate into Canadian society. She found that the different integration experiences of mainland Chinese in Vancouver is shaped by both public policies in China and Vancouver. This contributes to our understanding of integration as diverse pathways rather than a unified process with a definitive outcome. | Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Toews studied how time is expressed in Siamou, a language of the African country of Burkina Faso. She described Siamou grammar and developed diagnostics for perfective, imperfective, past and future, using them to analyze Siamou's temporal system. Her findings have implications for researching expressions of time in under-studied languages. | Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Bennett studied the earliest language encounters between the English, the Spanish and the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas. He developed a new methodology for revealing colonial encounters that have been excluded from recorded histories. In doing so, he improved our understanding of the relationship between language study and imperialism. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Masaro conducted research into women's sexual well-being. She examined ways in which the increase in social networking puts women at greater risk. Findings showed that, although a number of other risk factors were identified, neither the mode of communication nor the time spent communicating online was associated with sexual risk. | Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Van Vorst studied techniques for taking images of electrical material properties using ground-penetrating radar. His principle contribution is a high-resolution imaging algorithm that provides an alternative to traditional methods of subsurface imaging. This algorithm can be used for geotechnical applications in civil engineering and archaeology. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Sepehry studied depression in adults living with Alzheimer's Disease. He appraised the validity-evidence of a diagnostic framework for depression in Alzheimer's Disease that was proposed by the US National Institute of Mental Health. His work contributes to better understanding, screening and management of depression in Alzheimer's Disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Talebi Fard developed optical devices and sensors for medical, clinical and environmental safety applications. This research is a major advancement towards development of a sensing system on a chip. This system can provide low cost, accurate, and easily accessible diagnosis and monitoring, to both healthcare providers and patients at home. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Du explored local labour markets and labour migration within the Pearl River delta in south China. He found that distinct economic structures and activities are caused by uneven development, resulting in diverse labour markets and contested identity for labour migrants. This research illustrates the profound social transformation in China. | Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Shepard worked with several endangered language communities to examine how cultural beliefs impact ideology around language preservation. He explored issues of sovereignty, indigeneity, public dissemination of knowledge and archive management. The research identifies strategies for increasing the efficacy of Native language preservation efforts. | Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Chehab studied developments in seventeenth-century Spanish painting. She examined the emergence of the genre of still-life painting in relation to more traditional forms of religious imagery, and argues that still life functioned as a forum for pictorial experimentation. This research broadens our understanding of Spanish imagery of this period. | Doctor of Philosophy in Art History (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Young developed an Indigenous teaching and learning approach with Anishnabe-Cree Elders. The study outlines the teaching methods that strengthen peoples' holistic health and maintain sustainable ecologies. The research benefits educators working with Indigenous contexts, land-based education and those interested in social justice leadership. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Namjoshi studied traumatic brain injury. He showed that enhancing the function of the brain's lipid transport system helps in recovery from head injury. He also developed a novel model of brain injury, which may help us better understand the effects of head injury and lead to the development of effective treatments for this silent epidemic.?. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Lee explored the sexual health and suffering of young women who head households in Nakuru County, Kenya. She applied a participatory approach, building on local responses to foster community and policy action. Her research highlights the critical role of social support in reducing social and health inequalities lived out by young women. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Bull studied the environmental footprints of paper and digital media. The research focused on the challenge of comparing not just individual products, but entire industrial systems. He found that, while consumers are rapidly shifting towards digital products, the environmental impacts of the transition are poorly understood and need further study. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Clark examined community capacity in the context of the resettlement in BC of Karen refugee women from Burma. Findings showed that language, health literacy and gender shaped the Karen women's access to health and settlement resources. Integrated interpreter services, recognition and participation are required to promote health and well-being. | Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Chen applied vibrational spectroscopy to the study of complex materials. She developed methodologies to rapidly classify and quantify a large variety of bleached kraft pulps. These techniques will greatly improve chemical composition measurements within the paper and pulp industry. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Brouse created a software system for monitoring pain during general anesthesia. The system analyzes the heart rate and respiration to produce a pain index. He showed that the pain index increases during painful stimuli, and decreases after large doses of anesthetic. Pain monitoring can help improve patient safety during general anesthesia. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Leung established a process for designing wound dressings composed of ultrafine fibres. Through material selection and modification, he demonstrated his research findings by developing an anti-scarring dressing with customizable drug release. The outcome of this research will benefit patients worldwide recovering from surgical and burn wounds. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Bruni's research in mathematics focused on Algebraic Number Theory. He proved a result on Diophantine equations, extending existing work, by giving an explicit characterization of many solutions to specific types of these equations. This work will continue the field by offering novel insights into increasingly more difficult problems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Prior examined the neuroendocrine regulation of pair-bond maintenance in the life-long monogamous zebra finch. Her work demonstrates breeding- and context-specific effects of sex steroids in the regulation of pair maintenance. This work, more broadly, expands our understanding of social affiliation across species. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Xu studied the use of machine learning techniques for solving NP-hard problems. He demonstrated that the performance of algorithms and actual solutions can be accurately predicted based on cheaply computable features. He further introduced automated algorithm design approaches that advanced the state-of-the-art for solving NP-hard problems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2015 | Dr. Eliyan created electro-chemical models to show the corrosion reactions in oil pipelines. His innovative approach showed how the micro-structures of the welded pipeline steels are affected by environmental conditions. His work contributes to making Canadian oil pipelines safer, more corrosion-resistant, and more economical to construct and operate. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |