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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | In a carefully-controlled study, Dr. Oh-McGinnis discovered that reduced levels of a gene called Ascl2 led to severe placental abnormalities in pregnant mice and reduced embryonic size. The mice can serve as subjects to study human placental development and embryonic growth, with the goal of improving the health of newborns. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Al-Mashat examined the narratives of Iraqi refugees and exiles who experienced war in Iraq and migrated to Jordan. He investigated the cultural meaning they made of their experiences and how that helped them cope and adapt. He discovered three themes amongst all narratives: the role of religious beliefs and linguistic expressions, a desire to make a contribution, and a strong attachment to the Iraqi identity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Riche quantified the seasonal circulation of seawater in the Strait of Georgia using sophisticated mathematics and a unique set of monthly observations taken over the years 2002 to 2005. He also quantified the seasonal growth and abundance of marine microscopic algae and showed that some of their nutrient requirements differed from estimates made in previous studies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Lai found new ways to develop drugs for treating stroke. His new inventions conferred fewer side effects than traditional treatments, and remained effective even when the treatments were delayed for hours. Aside from stroke treatments, these new strategies can be implemented for the development of drugs for other diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Labbe examined the transformation of a rural village into an urban neighbourhood on the edge of Hanoi, Vietnam. She found that local people and government officials mitigate official policies through their day-to-day practices and interactions. This research illuminates the relational aspect of planning in a city of the Global South. | Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Musavi developed highly-efficient cost effective battery chargers for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. These new chargers result in increased performance efficiency, lower charge time and decreased utility costs. Dr. Musavi's developments have important implications for the future emergence and acceptance of electric vehicle technologies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Mohammadi developed Atmospheric Fuzzy Risk Assessment (AFRA) software to assess risks at mine reclamation sites. AFRA is a knowledge-based decision-making tool that combines real data and fuzzy information to assess risk in different locations or climates. AFRA is expected to contribute to mine safety and confined space accident prevention. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Wong investigated the cellular response to ultraviolet radiation. He discovered how a tumor suppressor protein protects the human genome after ultraviolet radiation. This leads to better understanding of melanoma development which has implications for designing new treatment strategies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2011 | Eszter Boros investigated a variety of acyclic chelates for the rapid and efficient coordination of radiometals. One lead compound, H2dedpa, was identified and further investigated for nuclear medicine applications such as myocardiac perfusion and cancer imaging. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Burleigh studied the way in which normal mammary cells interact with their environment. This allowed her to identify early changes that are involved in the initiation of breast cancer. Her findings highlight the importance of studying normal biology to better understand how cancers progress. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Yang's research indicates that the equilibrium potential of GABA, a major neurotransmitter in brain, is regulated by different receptors, proteins and neuronal activity. Changes in the equilibrium potential, observed in this study, have significant implications for regulating brain activity and implications for promoting health and reducing disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Novak combined basic science and clinical studies to demonstrate that the type of fat a mother consumes during pregnancy and lactation plays a key role in regulating infant liver metabolism. Her research opened a new field to consider the impact of essential fatty acid nutrition for early infant liver development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Human Nutrition (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Azab studied the drag on aircraft wings, and the implications for how much cargo weight is possible in flight. He researched ways to reduce fuel consumption of aircraft by changing their wing shapes. His findings will potentially have a positive economical impact on airlines, and lead to a reduction in air pollution. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Palacios examined learning and knowledge production in the Chilean solidarity movement and its public pedagogy. She argues understanding social movements as learning communities is essential because learning and knowledge production are central to achieving movement aims, the significance of movements and the value and legitimacy of local movement knowledge. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Derakhshandeh studied the flow behaviour of wood fibres in water to optimize the current available in processing machines for the pulp and paper industry. In particular, the outcomes from his study have been used to increase the efficiency of the industrial mixers used to blend chemicals with wood fibre suspensions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Gorgy examined the transport of a group of compounds in biosolids-amended soil and clay lining materials for landfills. These compounds are added to many consumer products as flame retardants and are found in biosolids and landfill leachates. He found that they can potentially move in the soil and clay lining material. The research is helpful in establishing land application of biosolids and waste disposal regulations as well as landfill lining design requirements. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Sember studied problems involving points in the geometric plane, where each point's location has some amount of uncertainty, and developed a number of algorithms for generating figures from such points. These figures can provide a more accurate view of certain types of uncertain data. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Chin investigated generic microchips, such as those used in smartphones and other electronic devices. His research into the specialized computer software used to program the chips led to the discovery of methods to make that software run faster and more efficiently. His findings will result in cost savings and can benefit the electronics industry. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Chamberlain developed new computer methods to improve landscape management in areas of high visual quality, such as scenic drives, parks and recreational places. The research led to the creation of new 3D mapping technologies that are being used for forest management in central BC and for research in Clayoqout Sound on Vancouver Island. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Kameda-Madar examined the ideological workings of cultural networks in the Tokugawa period in Japan by surveying a range of visual representations of the Orchid Pavilion Gathering. Her study showed how pictorial motifs promoted class permeability and contributed to the dynamism of identity formation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Art History (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Claire Robson is a community centre writer-in-residence working with queer seniors in Vancouver's Eastside. She investigated how people can learn more about themselves and their culture by writing memoirs, even if they are not professional writers, and how their stories create communities and voices for marginalized people. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Kangave studied communities displaced by infrastructure projects such as large dams. Focusing on Uganda 's Bujagali Hydroelectric Project, she investigated the impact of resettlement through legal, economic and humanitarian lenses. She concluded that to adequately protect displaced communities, multiple layers of legal protection are essential. | Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Zhang discovered a previously unknown cell death mechanism that underlies brain injuries following ischemic stroke. She subsequently developed a specific inhibitor for this cell death cascade and demonstrated that it represents a novel effective stroke treatment, whose therapeutic time window is notably longer than other anti-stroke medications. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Charish showed that Drosophila septate junctions and Gliotactin are necessary for epithelial cell division. This work demonstrates a new and unconventional role for junctional proteins | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Yuen studied the role of epigenetics, or inheritable changes, in human pregnancy. He found factors that contribute to the individual biological differences and the development of adverse pregnancy outcomes. These findings illuminate new areas of research and facilitate the development of strategies for clinical diagnosis of pregnancy disorders. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |