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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Dr. Copes-Gerbitz (Raybould) explored the relationship between people, forests, and fire through time in British Columbia. Her research shows that fire has long been an important natural and cultural process but that transformative change is needed to ensure we can all equitably coexist with fire in the future. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Khatri examined the health and economic impact of introduction of 13-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infant immunization program in British Columbia, Canada. This research illuminates the value of PCV13 vaccine in preventing pneumococcal disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Davidson studied how chromium moves through the environment, and the chemical changes that occur in the process. She developed a method to measure chromium in seawater and connected changes in the form of chromium to changes in its isotopic composition, identifying new links to environmental processes through increased detection of chromium. | Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Tran examined a novel method of achieving compatibility between donors and recipients in kidney transplantation. She demonstrated that matching at immunogenic protein motifs is feasible and clinically beneficial in preventing graft failure. This work is now acting as the foundation for a national matching program for kidney organ allocation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Crockett used novel brain imaging techniques to determine functional brain networks disrupted in older adults vulnerable to dementia. She also studied the benefits of physical activity and resistance training for brain health. Her take away message is: to make gains for brains, we should all regularly squat low and feel our brains grow. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Anghelescu examined the prosody of words in Nata, an endangered language of Tanzania. They proposed a novel analysis of tone and vowel harmony in the nominal domain. This research contributes to our understanding of prosodic phonology in both Nata and language more generally. | Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Park explained an analytical approach to examine individuals' response behaviors in psychological and educational testing. She developed novel applications to understand responding tendencies and nonresponse behaviors. Her research provided new insights into test development and evaluation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Li investigated a class of oxidative enzymes that are traditionally researched for their potential to convert non-edible plant biomass into second-generation bioethanol. He subsequently showed that these enzymes are also highly suitable to facilitate chemical modification of biomass fibres into value-added bio-products. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Rutakomozibwa studied motivation and engagement in physics learning using technology infused instruction for females. Her analysis reveals that prior knowledge affects engagement and heightens task value for motivation. Simulation is transformational for developing student canonical science. Her results are important for education applications. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Atoyebi explored the needs of family caregivers of people with neurocognitive disorders as well as possible solutions to address those needs. He collaborated with caregivers and care recipients to develop a medium fidelity prototype of their most preferred solution, which is a web-based service to assist families in hiring paid support workers. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Kianzad studied the design and evaluation of a robotic stylus -called MagicPen. He investigated how force feedback can enable learners to fluidly express their ideas during hand sketching tasks, and explored the benefits of using the sense of touch in learning. His work highlights the role of haptics in future objects-to-think-with. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Snelgrove argues that reconciliation is not possible in this society because self-determination remains subordinate to profit. But just as many of us have reasons to be anti-capitalist, we have reasons to desire a treaty relationship and to participate in a politics that aims at the flourishing of humans and more-than-humans. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Ghasemazar developed several methods to increase efficiency of computing systems and reduce data storage required by applications. This research enables applications to run faster and computers to consume less power. It also enables running and accelerating application in mobile devices with limited computation power. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2022 | Algebraic geometry studies the geometry of shapes obtained as solutions to polynomial equation systems. Dr. Annala has investigated how to understand intersections of such objects using methods of homotopy theory. The results might find applications in various areas of mathematics, ranging from number theory to mathematical physics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Johnson investigated how a new drug candidate selectively kills lung cancer cells by an oxidative stress-linked mechanism of action. He identified specific enzymes that are inhibited and demonstrated why lung cancer cells are sensitive but normal cells are not. His research will help the development of new, targeted anti-cancer therapeutics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Labuschagne investigated the perception of noise in vowels and vowel-like stimuli. She found that fundamental frequency, level, and frequency band affected noise detection and discrimination. The research contributes to our understanding of the auditory processing mechanisms involved in the perception of the voice quality breathiness. | Doctor of Philosophy in Audiology and Speech Sciences (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Logan's research centered around Music Performance Anxiety, a highly prevalent condition with severe consequences affecting both professional and student musicians. She investigated whether an intervention could help university music students to manage MPA. Her dissertation demonstrated the urgency to begin implementing intervention programs. | Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano (DMA) |
| 2022 | Dr. Amitzi focused on inhibition of DDX11 as a potential cancer therapy. She identified genetic interactions of DDX11 in human cells and adapted biochemical screening assays for DDX11 inhibitors. She also contributed to the development of a pipeline for discovery of novel cancer therapies that induce cell death by trapping protein targets onto DNA. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Shao focused on machine learning applications in cancer research. She developed methods to reduce data heterogeneity, adopted multi-stain digital pathology in prostate cancer classification and risk stratification, and conducted breast cancer studies using shear-wave elastography. Her research points future directions for patient management. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Lee's research focused on dissecting the mechanisms by which plasmin enzymatically modulates activated protein C to bias its function towards cytoprotection through protease-activated receptor 1 signaling, and to understand how plasmin converts factor V from a procoagulant to fibrinolytic accelerator of tissue plasminogen activator. | Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Koppisetti has developed new artificial intelligence and signal processing algorithms for low-cost detection and localisation of unauthorized wireless devices being operated in an area of interest. This research helps us passively protect our security-sensitive institutions, such as airports, from intruder flying devices such as drones. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Hean designed organic crystalline material systems that converted light energy into mechanical motion. This research further advances the field of material sciences with an emphasis on light driven actuators. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Price investigated the processes of inflammation, antioxidant defense, and steroidogenesis within the placenta. These studies assist us in understanding the higher rates of pregnancy complications associated with assisted reproduction technologies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. MacDonald developed methods to produce a type of immune cell called regulatory T cells for use as a therapy to prevent tissue damage following stem cell transplantation. She developed methods that are compatible with clinical standards and identified key aspects of the process that must be controlled to generate high quality cells. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Beaulieu's dissertation research focused on generating evidence to inform optimal care provision for those living with concurrent opioid use disorder and mental illness. Her work advances the field of health and integrated services research and has important implications for future health research, policy, and practice. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |