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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Dr. Amenyogbe listened in on the conversation between gut microbes and the immune system in very young children. This revealed a complex and sophisticated information exchange that puts all social media platforms to shame. Now she is off to use the knowledge gained to improve crucial health outcomes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Jana explored the application of faster-than-Nyquist technology to compete with the skyrocketing traffic demands in the existing fixed transmission networks, which serve as the backbone for the Internet and the cellular data traffic. The powerful signal processing techniques he designed can significantly enhance the capacity of these networks. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Falta examined Pablo Casals' views on interpretation and cello technique, and defined the extent of his influence on the methods of master cello pedagogues Diran Alexanian and Maurice Eisenberg. Dr. Falta showed how both works reflect Casals' ideas and together form the most significant expression of his teaching legacy. | Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Instrument (DMA) |
| 2020 | Dr. Zolaktaf examined ways of improving user interaction with data that is stored in large structured data sources. She developed algorithms and models that help users to explore, query, and analyze data more efficiently. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Wang investigated the complex socio-ecological changes being experienced by local communities in two protected areas in China. Her findings show that the livelihoods of local people can be adversely affected by unreasonable government structure and institutional arrangements, and that the provision of alternative livelihood options is critical. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Ghaedi's research sought to clarify the developmental pathways and complexity of an immune cell population in the lung called type 2 innate lymphoid cells. Her work will help to better understand how these cells develop and regulate allergic diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Jones explored genetic and environmental factors that affect the risk of lymphoid cancers within families. She showed that early life factors that affect immune regulation and development are associated with lymphoid cancer onset in families. Her work has implications for the identification of risk factors for other familial diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Bolger-Munro investigated the role of the actin cytoskeleton in B cells, which are the antibody-producing cell of the immune system. Using sophisticated microscopy, her findings show the importance of the actin-related protein complex in amplifying B cell responses. This study provides new insights into how B cell activation is controlled. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Marin studied beneficial bacteria in cherry tree roots. These bacteria promote plant growth and can potentially be used as eco-friendly pesticides in organic agriculture. She also used genomic methodologies to study the microbial biodiversity of Okanagan cherry orchard soils, information critical to understanding cherry soil-borne diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Cheng studied the spectral design of silicon waveguide-based integrated Bragg gratings (IBGs), which are used as filters to block certain wavelengths, or as wavelength-specific reflectors. This work facilitates the use of IBGs in applications where customized spectral responses are required, like optical communications and signal processing. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Taylor examined the relations between North Korea and Latin America during the Cold War, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the historical development of North Korean foreign policy, and providing a new, transnational perspective on the political and intellectual history of the Latin American Left. | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. McFadden studied the dynamics of lithium ions at ultra-dilute concentrations inside single crystalline materials. The results from these novel experiments will help to refine models of ion transport in solids, which can be applied in the operation of many practical devices, such as lithium-ion batteries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Asay investigated differences in growth and behaviour of interior Douglas-fir seedlings based on presence, absence or mixtures of close genetic relatives. Her results show that high or low plant density extremes, lower soil fungal associations, and presence of a different species impact seedling behavior and growth specific to that environment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Brown studied the bacterium that causes Tuberculosis (TB), called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (or Mtb). She investigated how Mtb uses host-produced cholesterol as a source of nutrients during infection. She demonstrated the importance of cholesterol for the survival of Mtb within the lung and identified novel targets for TB drug development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Toselli studied pancreatic beta-cell development and regeneration. She created a new model to study and track beta-cells and discovered important cues for beta-cell development and regeneration. Her work gives us a better understanding of pancreas biology and renewal. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Yun studied and developed high-performance integrated optical couplers and filters on silicon photonics chips. He proposed novel sub-wavelength waveguide structures and used low-cost, silicon-based technology to improve device performance. This work can be applied in next generation optical communications and sensing systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. David developed epidemic models of indirect transmission to study the role of heterogeneity, human mobility, and diffusion in the spread of infection. She investigated the co-interaction of HIV and syphilis infections among men who have sex with men, and looked at how different interventions could be combined to eliminate both infections in BC. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Moroz developed a method to rapidly measure the concentration of a contrast agent in the vein of a mouse tail. The measurement requires only one sample per time point, allowing for it to be acquired concurrently with an MR scan of a tumor. This provides a more accurate assessment of the tumor. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Dunn examined the relationship between real estate and theatricality in downtown Vancouver. Through case studies that detailed the urban histories of theatre spaces, she showed that downtown Vancouver is unique in its inability to sustain large-scale locally-produced theatre, and that this gap has perhaps been filled by real estate development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Robertson improved sex prediction in the adult human os coxa (hip bone) to 98-100% by accounting for sex-based shape, body size, and fluctuating asymmetry. Her methods can be applied with confidence in forensic or biological anthropological contexts. | Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (PhD) |
| 2020 | Turbulence in the ocean controls its ability to support life and modulate Earth's climate. It works to distribute heat, oxygen, and nutrients across the world's oceans. Dr. Scheifele used a robotic submarine to study marine turbulence in the Arctic Ocean, and studied the effects of ocean turbulence on the natural environment in the Beaufort Sea. | Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Maillard studied the effects of over-abundant deer on the soil in the forests of Haida Gwaii. Studying islands with varying years of deer habitation, Dr. Maillard found that long-term deer presence modified soil microbial community structure and slowed down litter decomposition, but forest restoration through removal of deer is possible. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Leblanc's research explores the evolution of Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships in Canada. She argues that non-Indigenous Canadians should privilege responsibility toward others above inwardly-focused rights, while approaching decolonization as foreigners who require invitation onto Indigenous lands and into Indigenous societies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Bi investigated cell behavior in the regulation of periodontal disease. He found that a receptor molecule plays a central role in the regulation of periodontal inflammation and bone loss through transforming growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. This research will impact treatment methods for periodontal diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2020 | Dr. Crowley investigated the role of the intestinal mucosal inflammasome in restricting the early infection of the pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Her research uncovers the dual role that epithelial cells play as both active defenders and coordinators of the immune response. | Doctor of Philosophy in Genome Science and Technology (PhD) |