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. Lucido studied advanced modelling techniques for treatment planning in Radiation Oncology. He designed a method to incorporate microscopic details into clinical treatment planning, to more accurately predict the patient's response to the therapy. This was the first approach capable of making use of these details for realistic clinical situations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Chen conducted his research in the field of quantum gravity. He developed a model of gravitational field which hypothesized that although the space-time is continuous when viewed on a large scale, a closer view shows it is actually made up of discrete points. This work has provided a means to remove anomolies from quantum gravity calculations. . | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Emami studied an advanced wireless communication system for underground mines and tunnels. She used radio-frequency measurements and mathematical analyses to model the ways in which wireless signals behave. The design of the best antenna configurations for these environments will contribute to enhanced safety and productivity in underground mines. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Smithyman developed novel methods that enable processing of on-land seismic data, to generate detailed geophysical images. He applied the new techniques to produce models of rock type in the Nechako-Chilcotin plateau, British Columbia. These models can be used to infer rock type and interpret underground geology, from surface to about 2 km depth. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Hayashi examined the relationship between policing and the health of people who inject drugs in Bangkok, Thailand. Her research found that repressive policing did not suppress the illegal drug market and instead contributed to human rights abuses and health-related harm. Her findings support the call for more balanced approaches to drug control. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Van Huizen examined the 1926-1984 Canadian-U.S. controversy over Seattle's many attempts to build the High Ross Dam and flood into British Columbia. He demonstrates that such disputes hinge on conflicting ideas about development and the politics of cross-border places, and points to the prevalence of "green liberalism" to resolve them. | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. MacKenzie examined long-term decision-making in democratic systems. He argues that democratic institutions can help produce conditions that are conducive to effective longer-term thinking and farsighted action. This research challenges the notion that democracies are not capable of effectively managing pressing long-term economic problems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Vidal's research focussed on depression in Latin American immigrants in Canada. She applied a global mental health approach to culturally adapt a psychotherapy treatment. It is the first clinical tool designed to treat depression in immigrants in Canada. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Sharma studied the inertial motion sensors which deploy air bags, navigate aircraft and detect hand motions with devices such as Wii. He developed techniques to make micro-sensors smaller and more sensitive, relying on coupling between mechanical and electronics subsystems. This technology is evolving quickly and opening doors for new applications. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Grillo examined representations of race and ethnicity in discourses by Peruvian Andean indigenous authors, from the conquest of Peru by Spaniards in the 16th century to the present. She argues that an idea of race is imposed to Andean subjects through discourses on religion and education, and can be traced back to the beginning of colonization. | Doctor of Philosophy in Hispanic Studies (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Pang studied Geometric Analysis. Together with his supervisors, he obtained results on the uniqueness of solutions of certain nonlinear differential equations, and how to construct minimal surfaces, which are surfaces of critical area, in general boundary situations. These works enhance the theory of minimal surfaces. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Kotur studied nitrate and nitrite uptake in plants, which is critical for their growth. She found a novel nitrate transporter in roots that functions at low nitrate concentration, and induces other nitrate-responsive genes. This transporter may help breeders to improve nitrogen-use efficiency in crops, to minimize fertilizer consumption. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Cadieux studied C. neoformans, a fungus that causes disease in humans and animals. She found this fungus has different mechanisms to acquire heme, a nutrient essential to humans, and she identified the first protein involved in heme uptake. Her findings may lead to better treatment for diseases caused by the fungus, such as pneumonia and meningitis. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Cheng modeled a reactor for treating nitric oxides in industrial flue gas. This novel reactor would overcome some difficulties in nitric oxide reduction technology. The model developed in this study could help with designing and optimizing the reactor, to further improve its performance and benefit both the environment and human health. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Nielsen completed her research in the field of Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice. She explored the personal narratives of women who had experienced breast cancer. She argues that "disruptive breast cancer narratives" have the potential to shift public perceptions, breast cancer culture, and biomedical understandings of the disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Winslow conducted theoretical physics research into the interactions of fundamental particles. His work has contributed to our understanding of the possible existence of extra spatial dimensions at current experiments, the lack of primordial antimatter throughout the universe, and the unexpected, recently observed behaviour of the top quark. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Regambal examined the traumatic events experienced by first responders in northern British Columbia. She found that first responders were more likely to experience traumatic stress if they were called to events they perceived as chaotic or exceeding their resources. This underscores the need to understand the characteristics of traumatic events. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Huft developed new methods for manufacturing small silicone chips for biomedical research. This new generation of microfluidic chips allows experiments to be automated so multiple experiments can be run at the same time with minimal resources. His work could facilitate advancements in prenatal diagnostics, drug development and DNA analysis | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Lodha developed environmentally-friendly, magnesia-based ceramics for metal convertors, which operate like furnaces. These non-ferrous, metallurgical convertors are used to extract metals other than iron. Since the improved liners require lower heat treatment temperatures they result in a more efficient and energy-saving extraction process. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Monroy developed an equation to predict lateral soil forces on pipelines buried in trenches. By conducting full-scale tests and numerical modeling, he simulated the development of soil forces. His research adds to our knowledge about the seismic design of buried pipelines, which will contribute to efforts to make pipelines safer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Xu examined an inexpensive and sustainable method to remediate acid rock drainage with efficiency. She applied the regeneration routine to treat drainage resulting in less waste water volume. In this way, the used sorbent can also be re-utilized thereby reducing the solid waste generation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Troncoso-Valverde studied models of gaming where auctioneers use information about the characteristics of their products to attract buyers. He found that auctioneers release more information when they compete for the same pool of buyers. His findings contribute to our understanding of the role played by information in competitive environments. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Hiebert studied the political and aesthetic theory underlying the body of work of George Woodcock, the prolific writer who forged relations between Vancouver and the Dalai Lama in the sixties. The intellectual and geographical mobility of Woodcock is shown essential to the role he played in the formation of Canadian literature as a field. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Jongkees investigated bacterial enzymes known as unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolases, which can cause food poisoning and infections following surgery. He studied how these enzymes work chemically, in order to discover ways to stop them working. Understanding the enzymes could lead to better food preservatives and treatments to prevent infection. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Marsden studied the role of law in the lives of individuals with uncertain migration status. She found that these migrants faced barriers both in workplace rights and in obtaining access to education, health care, and social benefits. She argues that social exclusion of migrants is maintained through these areas of the law. | Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |