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. Reimer studied primary education in Cambodia. She explored how village-level stakeholders understand and implement the dominant Western notions of formal education promoted in low-income countries. Her research demonstrates that intentional consideration of local cultural norms and values is essential for improving educational quality. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Saenz-Garza developed a Vacuum Microwave technique for protecting natural antimicrobials that are capable of preventing the growth of destructive microorganisms in food. She subsequently tested controlled release of the encapsulated antimicrobial for the preservation of fresh apple slices, as a model for increasing the shelf life of fresh cut fruit. | Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Rideout asked why some people resist the highly processed and unhealthy food products that are ubiquitous in western society. She found that those people are motivated by a deep sense that food is sacred. She argues that fostering recognition of food's intrinsic value through meaningful connections could lead to a healthier food system overall. | Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Dragomir studied super-Earth extrasolar planets by monitoring the decrease in brightness they cause as they transit in front of their host stars. The observations were acquired with MOST, the first Canadian space telescope. Her research contributes to the still sparse understanding of the structure and composition of these exotic planets. | Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Chow examined the ability of newborns to metabolize and clear the antidepressant Fluoxetine taken by their mothers. The passive transfer of the drug from pregnant women to the fetus constitutes a major route of drug exposure in newborns. This research will enrich knowledge of drug clearance in the pediatric population. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Deggan is a literary scholar interested in the aesthetic means by which landscape representations are used to communicate aspects of human consciousness. His work offers an ecologically focused means of linking ethics, art, and the environment across different cultural media, focussing upon global cinema and the novel. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Rivera's work focussed on treatments for chronic pain. He examined the pharmacological properties of local anesthetics on pain sensors. Using various methods, he established a model for the regulation of the sensors by these pain blocking compounds. His work provides a foundation for new approaches to selectively target and treat chronic pain. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Allen examined the expansion of the party system in Indonesia. He found that patterns of state spending and legacies of corruption shape voter and elite behaviour and impact party system outcomes. This research helps us understand how party politics evolve in new democracies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Barton asked the complex question: "Should the U.S. and others open their economies to importation of Brazilian ethanol, and what would be the impact on the Brazilian economy, ecosystems and people?" His three studies discovered that increased production could be positive for Brazil if existing legislation is enforced and education improves. | Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Johnston examined how adolescents who are living with a progressive life-threatening neurodegenerative illness construct meaningful future self-representations. Findings reveal a range of possible selves both with and without the illness. Adolescents describe future thinking as a required activity for coping, personhood, and decision-making. | Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Yeo developed a computational model showing how movement is generated from muscle, how it interacts with the skeleton, and then how it is controlled by the brain. His work revealed a movement mechanism which was not well understood before, and an efficient way to simulate it which can be used in computer animation and movement neuroscience. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Li sought to improve detection and screening of very early lung and cervical cancers by combining measurements of cellular DNA content with complementary biological information. His work demonstrates new techniques that might be applicable to other cancers and cautions against approaching early cancers as isolated and uniform entities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Atcheson designed a digital system for recording real-world gas flows, such as vapour trails, using ordinary, consumer-grade cameras. The techniques developed to calibrate the cameras have proven useful in other computer graphics applications. This research advances the state of the art in capturing fluid motion for the visual effects industry. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Gunson examined ways in which the global mining industry uses water and how it can reduce water use while increasing efficiency. He quantified global mine water use and investigated methods for improving mine water systems through the significant reduction of clean water requirements, water withdrawals, and water-related energy consumption. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Vermote studied the local and global dimensions of the Jesuit networks and finances between Europe and China during the 17th and 18th centuries. Because transporting money and other resources from Europe to China was unpredictable, the Jesuit communities relied increasingly on revenue from real estate investments in, Beijing, Manila and elsewhere. | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Imanian studied symbiosis in unicellular organisms. Symbiosis occurs when the lives of two cells tie together and, in the process, both cells change over many generations. His research on two oceanic phyto-planktons, one living inside the other, shows that despite their long-term relationship and unlike other cases, they have changed very little. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Young investigated reproductive processes at the cellular level. Her work involved the development of a technique that prevents sperm cells from reaching maturation. This research contributes to our understanding of cell to cell interactions in general and may provide insight into certain types of male infertility. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Khan's work focuses on artificial intelligence. He developed fast and accurate algorithms for data analysis, which in turn contributes to the design of smart computers. His work enables intelligent computing in a wide variety of areas such as robotics, genetics, multimedia, economics, social science, and education. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. You invented a new method of ultrasound imaging based on micro-scale structures. This method demonstrated greatly improved image quality. Applications of this new ultrasound technique include miniaturized devices for the diagnosis of cancer and cardiac diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Vahidi studied multiple factors influencing the glucose metabolism of people with type 2 diabetes by developing a comprehensive mathematical model. The model helps to reduce the long term complications of the disease by providing insightful information for administering reliable and effective medical treatments for the patients. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Dallmeyer studied the use of lignin, an organic binding substance, as a precursor for new materials. His research explored the use of electrostatic forces to draw lignin into fibres, and conversion of those fibres into new advanced materials. These materials have potential applications in energy storage, composites, and adsorption [sic]. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Schellenberg examined how Cantonese and Mandarin singers express speech tones during singing. He showed that Cantonese singers add in extra tonal information missing from the written music, and Cantonese listeners use this information in understanding the sung words. Also, Mandarin singers and listeners do not incorporate speech tones in music. | Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Won studied hydrogen production with the aim of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. He studied ways in which bioreactors can be operated to achieve stable hydrogen production from agricultural and food processing wastewater. This work will contribute to developments in bioenergy production and wastewater treatment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Young's research focussed on Huntington Disease, or HD, an inherited neuro-degenerative disorder that results in cognitive and motor impairment and psychiatric changes. She studied an enzyme known as HIP 14, and found its absence in mice results in HD-like symptoms. This discovery suggests new approaches for the treatment of Huntington Disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Stephen examined the technical and economic feasibility of producing commercial ethanol from Canada's forest resources. He compared the performance of this wood-based renewable transportation fuel to other biofuels and bioenergy options using a variety of tools. This research provides a framework for evaluation of emerging bio-based products. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |