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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Dr. Rizal studied ferromagnetic nanostructures. He subsequently developed highly sensitive magnetic sensors and high-moment biocompatible nanoparticles. The magnetic sensors and nanoparticles have significant potential for application in biomagnetic sensing for the early detection and treatment of chronic diseases such as prostate and lung cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Veverytsa studied nerve cell development in the brain. She discovered a novel timing mechanism that is built into some neurons to trigger their functional maturation at a specific time, to change the brain circuit in which they operate. This has profound implications for understanding mental disorders such as schizophrenia. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Yaghoobi has demonstrated a unique light-induced heating mechanism in a carbon-based nanomaterial. This is much more efficient than heating of traditional materials such as metals. Dr. Yaghoobi has also shown the use of this unique phenomenon for electronic and solar cell applications, which could lead to a new generation of electronic devices. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Shield used laser diagnostic techniques to study the mixing of natural gas and air in internal combustion engines. His novel fuel injection system will speed the development of cleaner burning natural gas engines for trucks and buses, providing a viable alternative to gasoline and diesel that reduces the air contaminants and the greenhouse gas impact of transport. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Eadie investigated brain plasticity in a model of Fragile-X syndrome, the most common form of inherited intellectual disability. He discovered abnormalities in neuronal morphology and physiology in a brain region associated with learning and emotion, thereby identifying a novel therapeutic target. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Eghbalnia investigated the mineral, pyrite, as a catalyst in recovering copper from minerals that resist its recovery. He determined pyrite catalysts were effective, especially when modified with silver and gold nanoparticles. This will enable industry to recover and process copper at a low temperature, with less cost and energy consumption. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Huang studied game theory and its various applications in wireless communication networks. She proposed several approaches which help to improve system performances. The main contribution of her work is to demonstrate how artificial intelligence and cognitive technology can be applied in modern wireless communication systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Woodman's thesis shows citizenship in China is a local rather than national relationship that means participation and entitlements are connected to membership in the specific place where a person belongs. Her research proposes new theoretical avenues for the study of citizenship focusing on subnational locations of politics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Kang used mass spectrometry to study the structures and stabilities of gas-phase, noncovalent protein complexes. This research provides a better understanding of the properties of gas-phase protein ions and also illustrates the relation of these properties to solution properties. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. French provided new perspectives on brain structure and function by employing computational methods to analyze large-scale genomic and anatomical data. | Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Bai investigated diesel exhaust and cardiovascular disease to extend our understanding of how particulate matter air pollution causes increased risk for heart attack. She found that exposure to diesel exhaust causes progression of atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque builds up inside arteries and lead to heart attacks. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Preston studied the optical properties of conducting and non-conducting particles. He explored the relationship between particle shape and spectra using both modelling and experiments. This work is important for understanding how solar radiation interacts with planetary atmospheres and the fabrication of novel nanostructures. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. St.Onge showed how brain regions within a specific neural circuit in the rat help us make decisions among different options that vary in the amount and probability of reward. This research helps explain how interactions between different brain systems shape preferences for larger, risky or smaller, more conservative rewards. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Bunjun studied organizational power relations at Vancouver Status of Women from 1971 to 2008. Using intersectional feminist analysis, she argues that organizations are not neutral, but rather sites of colonial encounters. Based on her findings, she proposes a nuanced understanding of power and entitlement, and a more ethical Affirmative Action Policy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. De La Torre's research provides new insights into the evolutionary relationships between two species of spruce trees. By integrating molecular and quantitative genetics with climate modeling, Dr. De La Torre has deepened our understanding of the genomic basis of local adaptation to climate. Her work has significant implications for forest management in British Columbia. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Crowley developed a method for automated planning under uncertainty in spatial domains such as forestry and other environmental planning fields. He showed that systems of simple, local policies can be used to build complex, landscape policies. Furthermore, these systems can be used to evaluate ways of making these landscape policies most effective. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Capyk investigated oxygenases that degrade cholesterol in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and explored the diversity of the Rieske oxygenase superfamily. This research contributes to understanding of the mechanisms used during mycobacterial infections and provides a new perspective on industrial and environmental applications for Rieske oxygenases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Beausoleil examined the possibilities and challenges of democratic engagement through the performative arts. This work has provided a general theory for these practices, isolated key democratic resources within them, and articulated the contribution such practices offer to democratic politics more broadly. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Ahmadnia studied the response of underground power transmission cables subjected to earthquake induced permanent ground deformation. Using advanced numerical simulations calibrated and validated with experimental data, he proposed a methodology to assess the seismic response of underground power transmission cables. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Berkhout examined the role of social identity in gender-based disparities to using antiretroviral therapy in Vancouver's inner city. Her work demonstrated how social interests, institutional authorities, relations of power, and strategies of social control are resisted and internalized by women negotiating HIV/AIDS care. Using feminist philosophy and social studies of medicine, Dr. Berkhout reframes adherence issues using agency and autonomy. | Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. So studied novel tumor-suppressing proteins in ovarian cancer. He found that they could inhibit cancer cell invasion through maintaining intercellular adhesion, which is important information for ovarian cancer metastasis and developing therapeutics against ovarian cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Guo studied the physiological role of copper in marine phytoplankton, and elucidated, for the first time, the presence of two copper transport systems (a high and a low affinity). Her research highlights the importance of copper for phytoplankton growth and the complex interaction between iron and copper nutrition. | Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Ramer studied abnormalities in cardiovascular function that occur after spinal cord injury. She identified changes in the nervous system and in the blood vessels that may contribute to cardiovascular problems and premature death in these individuals. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Anderson's research examined, documented, and contributed to knowledge about how generations of Indigenous Nlakapmux Grandmothers from the Interior of British Columbia carried out their responsibilities to transmit Nlakapmux educational and socio-cultural knowledge to their family and community members. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Hadfield used the philosophical lens of Hans George Gadamer to reinvigorate the notion of praxis in nursing curricula. Working through narratives of her teaching practice, Dr. Hadfield points to the centrality of dialogue to praxis, which Gadamer viewed as acting morally in response to particular situations while drawing on general frameworks. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |