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. Lee characterized and developed a novel therapeutic for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. He achieved this using a lipid drug delivery system that silenced the expression of cancer causing genes. This therapeutic holds great potential as a future treatment option for prostate cancer patients. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. de Leeuw developed and evaluated MiniPromoter tools, using mice as a model organism. These tools may lead to future applications in both brain and eye clinical gene therapies. He subsequently employed them to generate novel genetic models of a key neural stem cell gene. His studies advance our knowledge of genome regulation and brain development | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Pottie-Sherman examined the intercultural interaction in Vancouver's summer night markets. These public events illustrate the vast changes in the social geography of immigration, and the ethno-cultural diversity in Metro Vancouver in the last quarter century. This research illuminates how public market places can serve as inclusive public spaces. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Brcic examined the motivations of astronauts, soldiers, search and rescue team members, and high-altitude mountaineers. She investigated the ways in which they cope with stressors throughout their expeditions. This research helps us understand and explain the performance of small, mission-oriented teams in extreme and unusual environments. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Zhu studied the electronic structure of topological insulators, furthering our understanding beyond all previous theoretical descriptions. For the first time, he has demonstrated how to achieve full control of the photoelectron spin polarization. His work paves the way to the application of topological materials in novel opto-spintronic devices. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Mazarei studied biochemical modifications in Huntington's disease. She discovered novel metabolic changes using a mouse model, paving the way to greater understanding of disease mechanisms and potential treatments. The results of this work are likely to benefit patients with HD and other neurodegenerative disorders. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Reaume studied the use of bio-diesel fuels. A process was developed for improving the cloud point of bio-diesel through the formation of an alkyl side chain on the biodiesel molecule. This helps us better understand the cold flow properties of bio-fuels and will provide insights into proper winter mixing of petroleum and bio-based fuels. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Freeman investigated how to mathematically model and experimentally study decisions involving risks. His work focuses on how choice data can and cannot be used to test and measure behavioural models of decision-making. His work has implications for how we can understand decisions that appear irrational relative to standard economic models. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Shoraka has developed a robust procedure for accurately assessing the collapse of buildings. Contributions have been made to the application of collapse fragilities to define collapse indicators. This work helps us to estimate loss in existing building frames, and in differentiating the collapse performances of existing and retrofitted frames. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Reyes studied the chemo-receptors in amphibians and reptiles that sense changes in the level of oxygen in the blood. Cardiovascular and respiratory changes triggered by these chemo-receptors ensure an adequate oxygen supply to the tissues. Her study broadens our understanding of the evolution of chemo-sensing in vertebrates. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Vaughan examined the chemistry of Carlin-type gold deposits in Nevada. He showed that chemical changes in rocks surrounding Carlin-type mineralization can extend more than 1 km out from the largest known gold deposit. The outcome of this research provides a means to effectively explore for large gold systems well outside of traditional methods. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD) |
| 2013 | Human culture's a biological mystery no other beast has such a history mutating faster than mere genes can by knowledge shared freely, 'tween woman and man. Dr. Chudek asks how this strange cascade started our phenotypes outpacing what our genome charted. He says: reputataional exploitation's the key to beating evil teachers and setting culture free. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Lawler studied the small body populations in our Solar System and in exoplanet systems. She used the results of a large observational survey to determine the distribution of Kuiper belt objects in different orbital resonances with Neptune, and attempted to find asteroid belts in exoplanet systems discovered by the Kepler Mission. | Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Zhang examined Alzheimer's disease in families, or FAD. She found the unique mechanisms underlying two FAD-causing mutations. This research shed light on the causes of Alzheimer's disease and also highlighted the possibility of developing potential treatment strategies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Kohler proved a generalization of the Alon conjecture in algebraic graph theory. This establishes an important algebraic property of random large networks. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Zangeneh examined the influence of geology on the design of hydraulic fracturing, to improve extraction from natural gas reservoirs. She developed procedures to design effective hydraulic fractures, and to mitigate against induced seismicity. Her study will help operators to maximize oil and natural gas extraction in a safe and sustainable manner. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Liu worked on the development of chemical separation instruments. He designed a novel device that could obtain pure targeted compound from complex mixtures. This technique could serve the needs in sample preparation for both academic and industrial activities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Labman looked at the development and operation of Canada's voluntary refugee re-settlement program. She analyzed the intersection of rights, responsibility and obligation in the absence of a legal scheme for resettlement. Her research demonstrates the pervasive influence of law and how this affects refugee access to protection. | Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Lu's work focussed on methods to detect copied images and protect copyright. He developed novel approaches for image hashing and content-based fingerprinting .This research contributes significantly to information indexing, retrieval, forensics and security of advanced multimedia. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Kong developed an indirect method to search for exotic particle emissions in nuclear decays. This unique method is independent of a particle's lifetime and allows us to detect any particle emission. His work successfully demonstrated a 3% momentum resolution, which is essential for detecting exotic particles emitted with very small probabilities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Vockler carried out his research in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. Through modeling, he came up with a value of how much rainwater enters the mountain block and becomes deep groundwater. Results of this study are important for the communities of the Okanagan Valley and indicators for how to deal with limited water resources in the future. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Li studied the initial stages of paper sheet formation. She developed a numerical method for simulating paper formation at the level of individual pulp fibres, and obtained the first paper surface map using a micro-CT scanner and image analysis. Her work will help paper mills and the manufacturers of paper machines to improve the quality of paper. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Fujiwara studied northeastern Japan in the nineteenth-century. He demonstrated ways in which natavist scholars located their community within a larger imperial nation. His work illustrates the complex construction of identity and multiple layers of community during a time of transition from early modernity to modernity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Asian Studies (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Ronasi studied resource allocation and scheduling algorithms for wireless communication. In addition he worked with a team to develop, simulate, and evaluate new algorithms. It is hope that these algorithms will enhance the performance of wireless communication networks in terms of bandwidth, transmission delay, and fairness provisioning. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Lu investigated pregnancy-related and birth outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease that affects many young adults of childbearing age. She found that people with multiple sclerosis did not have worse outcomes compared to the general population. Her studies provide reassurance to those who wish to start a family. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |