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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Dr. Xia developed statistical approaches, known as Bayesian methods, for use when it is difficult to identify a unique statistical model based on observed data. She showed that the proposed models provide better statistical inference by acknowledging the issues. The models can be used in statistical modeling in health, insurance and road safety. | Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Thair studied how the DNA of each individual affects the way in which that person responds to severe infections called septic shock. She has identified two key genes that play a genetic role in the disease, which led to the discovery of the previously unknown function of one of them. This may lead to treatments that increase patient survival. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2013 | Low levels of HDL cholesterol increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Bowden's research found that an enzyme called Lysosomal Acid Lipase is necessary to regulate HDL particle formation and remove the cholesterol from cells in the artery wall. This may lead to therapies that increase HDL and prevent heart disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Kim explored ways of listening to and relating to children's perspectives. She has shed light on their links to learning in both theory and practice. She is committed to engagIng in theorizing the idea of children's participation in the early childhood curriculum, and broadening our understanding of children's participation in practice. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Jones examined teachers' perceptions of the influence of technology integration on their relationships with students. The study revealed that open access to technology has the potential to alter the traditional roles of teachers and students in the learning process, mitigate power imbalances, and strengthen relational bonds. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Musgrove conducted research in electro-chemical processes. She developed a new method for creating thin films on electrode surfaces and identified their characteristics using fluorescence and atomic-force microscopy. These discoveries may be developed for use in sensors for biological molecules or as model cell membranes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Williams conducted focus groups to learn about the experiences of adults who had grown up in globally mobile families. New ways of understanding those adults, as well as cultures in general, will help professionals working with diverse populations to provide more effective support. It will also inform future research into cultural diversity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Rostam examined how counsellors understand and incorporate ethno-cultural diversity in substance-use counselling. While some counsellors recognized differences in their practice, those who subscribed to a prevailing disease model viewed them as secondary. The findings show alcohol and drug counselling is largely untouched by debates on diversity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Moore refined a method for analyzing the urban ecological footprint. She estimated the reduction in energy and materials consumption needed to help achieve Vancouver's goal of becoming the Greenest City, and suggested planning policies to achieve the goal. The City used Dr. Moore's research to inform its Greenest City 2020 Action Plan. | Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Sriskandakumar's research focussed on the ongoing attempts to develop promising alternatives to metallo-anticancer drugs. A new model was proposed for the activation and effectiveness of ruthenium-based anticancer drugs by probing their electronic structures. This helped to create new strategies to make effective metal-based anticancer drugs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Alba studied the flow of two liquids in inclined pipes. The two fluids were found to mix differently depending on their densities, pumping rate and the angle at which the pipes inclined. The results obtained can be used to efficiently predict and design the flows in oil well processes and also in the food and chemical processing industries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Calvert developed a framework for determining when and how political rhetoric threatens the democratic quality of political judgments. She identified new practices and functions by which democratic institutions might promote good political judgments, despite the fact that the ways people use language in politics are almost always strategic | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Boyda investigated the side-effects of anti-psychotic medication and determined an underlying rationale for how these diabetic-like side-effects occur. Her research may aid psychiatrists to make more informed decisions regarding treatment and monitoring strategies, and offer patients better understanding of the medications they are taking. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Scott examined the ethical, legal, and social, implications of North American stem cell research. He revealed how researchers navigate regulatory and political environments and how their actions influence collaboration and productivity. These findings can inform the development of government policies, for the benefit of citizens and economies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Hendel's research focussed on the role of Granzyme B in athero-sclerosis, the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes. Dr. Hendel's work uncovered a novel mechanism by which Granzyme B disrupts new blood vessel formation during tissue repair. The results of his work are now published and also resulted in the filing of an international patent. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Shahandeh developed a mathematical model for simulating the evolution of structure in crystalline materials. This modelling technique provides a major contribution to understanding how alloying elements modify the structure of materials. It helps to design materials with superior physical and mechanical properties. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. War's research focused on breast cancer cells. Using somatostatin receptor-3, which is present on the surface of the cells to receive signals from outside the cells, he developed strategies aimed at treating breast cancer. This work provides valuable information for the better understanding of breast cancer and its treatment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Sahebjavaher developed new methods for imaging of prostate cancer and liver fibrosis using MRI. He developed several MRI-compatible devices for clinical use at UBC hospital, and co-developed a new scan method in Paris currently being used in France, UK and Korea. The results of this research will ultimately translate into better patient diagnosis. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Tomal conducted his research in the field of Statistics. He developed new statistical methods to search more efficiently for potential pharmaceutical drug molecules in a large collection of chemical compounds. His methods capitalized on the richness of information contained in high-dimensional data, which have many useful variables. | Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Murray completed his studies in the field of Psychology. He showed that the perceived threat of infectious disease causes higher levels of social and political conservatism, and causes lower levels of scientific innovation. These findings add to our understanding of what causes psychological variation between people and across cultures. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Yu developed catalysts for the formation of bio-degradable and bio-compatible materials used in industrial and medical applications. She investigated the nature of these catalysts, allowing them to tune the physical properties of the resulting materials. Her work lead to a new family of functionalized polymeric materials for drug delivery systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Atighechi investigated high power electronic converters and High Voltage Direct Current systems for electric power transmission. He developed a generalized and computationally efficient methodology for dynamic average-value modeling. The proposed methodology will assist engineers and researchers in developing the future smart energy grid. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. MacIsaac completed her doctoral research in the field of Medical Genetics. She established a model for neighboring gene interactions as a new mechanism for the regulation of imprinted expression in mammals. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Thu compared lung tumours of smokers and people who have never smoked. She found they exhibit differential disruption of genes and cellular pathways, supporting the hypothesis that lung cancers in these two cohorts are distinct diseases. Dr. Thu's findings suggest lung cancer patients may benefit from treatment that considers their smoking history. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Within String Theory exists a mathematical conjecture linking two fundamental aspects of physics. Through this structure, Dr. Whyte studied models related to the force that binds the nuclei of atoms. He used the same mathematical structure to study a model describing the universe's rapid expansion in the initial fraction of a second of its existence. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |