Convocation May 2018

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership and Policy)

• Dr. Balsam Alrasheed: "In Saudi Arabia, the country's Early Childhood Education (or ECE) workforce is composed almost exclusively of women. However, Dr. Alrasheed noticed that female voices were often missing from macro-level studies. In her doctoral work, Dr. Alrasheed interviewed six women in Saudi Arabian ECE to identify commonalities in their lives and journeys."

Doctor of Musical Arts (Composition)

• Dr. Chia Lin Kuo: "Dr. Kuo completed her DMA degree in music composition. She wrote a large orchestral work, titled Urban Suite, and several pieces of chamber music during her study. Her thesis, Fantasies, is a sixteen-minute suite for a chamber ensemble."

Doctor of Musical Arts (Orchestral Instrument)

• Dr. Sarah Wei-Yan Kwok: "It is essential for the modern violist to be familiar with various methods of creating sound. Dr. Kwok explored extended techniques and demonstrated teaching methods for students of all ages with six commissioned etudes. Her work encourages students to use these techniques to expand their technical and expressive abilities on their instrument."

Doctor of Philosophy (Anthropology)

• Dr. Bryn Andrew Letham: "Dr. Letham studied the intersections of human settlement and shoreline change over the last 15,000 years around Prince Rupert Harbour, British Columbia. He reconstructed sea level history to identify early archaeological sites and studied how ancient human use and modification of shorelines transformed social organization on coastal landscapes."
• Dr. Oralia Gomez-Ramirez: "Dr. Gomez-Ramirez examined on-street sex work and transgender politics in Mexico City. She used a critical trans and sexual labour lens to understand how social class and informal vending practices shape the realities of low-income trans women. Her work contributes to rethinking common understandings about the key issues that affect transpeople today."

Doctor of Philosophy (Asian Studies)

• Dr. Zeng Yang: "Dr. Yang studied the life of an eighth-century Buddhist monk of mixed Indian and Sogdian descent. He illustrated how a religious system of Indian heritage was integrated into the state institutions in China. His work enriches our understanding of cross-Asian cultural exchange and the relationship between the state and Buddhist church in medieval times."

Doctor of Philosophy (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)

• Dr. Adam Michael Crowe: "Dr. Crowe studied how Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, is able to use cholesterol while inside the lungs of infected individuals. Specifically, he clarified how the last half of the cholesterol molecule is degraded. This work has implications in TB pathogenesis and may facilitate the development of new therapies."
• Dr. Benjamin John Elwood Martin: "Dr. Martin studied the physical packaging of the genome, and how this is altered upon gene expression. He found that chemical modifications of structural proteins, called histones, largely occur as a consequence of gene expression, contrary to previous reports. These findings help us to better understand the mechanisms governing gene expression."
• Dr. Craig Howard Kerr: "Dr. Kerr established a new tool to study viruses that infect agriculturally and economically important insects, such as honeybees. With this tool, he researched how these viruses produce proteins. This work has deepened our knowledge of fundamental protein synthesis, common to all life, and our understanding of this emerging family of viruses."

Doctor of Philosophy (Biomedical Engineering)

• Dr. Stephen Frank Ernesto Mattucci: "Dr. Mattucci performed a thorough biomechanical investigation and redevelopment of a dislocation spinal cord injury model, to better understand the most common clinical injuries. These improvements will provide future researchers a robust avenue to further investigate the importance of biomechanical factors contributing to spinal cord injury."
• Dr. Emily Sunyoung Park: "Circulating tumour cells are important targets for cancer research. Dr. Park developed a technology to enrich circulating tumor cells and then isolate them for genome sequencing. She then applied this technology to sequence single circulating tumor cells from patients with prostate cancer. This work will aid with early diagnosis."
• Dr. Seyed-Alborz Amir-khalili: "Dr. Amir-Khalili developed computer algorithms to assist clinicians and improve outcomes for patients undergoing complex medical procedures. His contributions include an automated algorithm that locates blood vessels based on movement, and systems for interpreting uncertainties that occur during cancer surgery or radiotherapy interventions."
• Dr. Niamul Quader: "Dr. Quader focussed on improving diagnosis reliability of hip instability in infants using ultrasound imaging. His top contribution was in implementing a novel and automatic three-dimensional ultrasound-based system. This has improved the diagnosis reliability of current-state-of-the-art hip instability diagnosis by around 70 percent."
• Dr. Pegah Kharazmi: "Dr. Kharazmi studied the role of cutaneous vascular structures in skin lesions. She developed a technology to analyze cutaneous vessels and identify skin abnormalities at an early stage. Her work increases the effectiveness of screening for skin disorders, which will ultimately save lives and reduce healthcare costs."

Doctor of Philosophy (Botany)

• Dr. Jaclyn Marie Dee: "Dr. Dee studied the evolution of diverse cell shapes in fungi. By comparing cellular organization and gene content across the fungi and its closest relatives, Dr. Dee has expanded our understanding of how different fungal shapes could have been molded with a shared set of genetic tools that was present in the common ancestor of fungi and animals."
• Dr. Marli Vlok: "Dr. Vlok studied the composition and distribution of aquatic RNA viruses from the poles to the tropics. She found more than 27 virus genera and developed a taxonomic method to classify many new species. Her study has a strong impact on the understanding of the complex and dynamic roles played by RNA viruses in aquatic ecosystems."
• Dr. Yoichiro Watanabe: "Dr. Watanabe studied the cell biology of cellulose synthesis in woody cells. He showed that plant cells tightly regulate the localization and movement of the enzymes responsible for cellulose synthesis during wood formation. His work lays the foundation for understanding how plants control the enzymes that produce cellulose at the cellular level."
• Dr. Shuang Liu: "Plant cuticular waxes cover a plant surface as a hydrophobic layer that prevents desiccation and other environmental stresses. Dr. Liu identified novel regulatory factors controlling the waxes biosynthesis during plant development and in response to environmental cues. Her results may have important agricultural applications."
• Dr. Yi-Chen Lee: "Dr. Lee studied the mechanisms of polar distribution of cell wall components in plant cells. The asymmetric distribution of cell wall components contributes to the heterogeneity of cell wall properties, which, in turn, influences plant cell structure and function."
• Dr. Yuli Ding: "Dr. Ding studied immune signalling pathways in plants. Part of her work represents a major breakthrough in the understanding of the perception and molecular signaling of salicylic acid, one of the most important plant immune-related phytohormones. Findings from this and other work will contribute to our better understanding of plant immune systems."

Doctor of Philosophy (Cell and Developmental Biology)

• Dr. Nicole Angela Jane Krentz: "Diabetes is caused by a loss of the insulin-producing cells found in the pancreas. By studying how the pancreas forms during fetal development, Dr. Krentz uncovered new details about how insulin producing cells form. Her research may improve methods to make replacement insulin-producing cells for those with diabetes."

Doctor of Philosophy (Chemical and Biological Engineering)

• Dr. Hafiz Rahman: "Dr. Rahman developed a novel thermal-tracing technique for the measurement of solids circulation rate between reactors operating at high temperature where alternative techniques are unsuitable. His technique contributes immensely to the development of dual bed gasification technology for production of heat, electrical power, fuels and chemicals."
• Dr. Olga Petrov: "Dr. Petrov studied sustainability of biomass-based community energy systems. She developed a more accurate impact assessment methodology compared to existing ones in terms of impacts on local air quality, human health and global warming. She then applied this methodology to evaluate techno-economic and social aspects of a UBC bioenergy demonstration plant."
• Dr. David Sebastian Zamar: "Dr. Zamar studied the optimal design and planning of forest and agricultural biomass supply chains. He developed a new mathematical procedure for the design of sustainable, and cost-effective biomass supply chains. His findings aid the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources by mitigating risk in bioenergy production."
• Dr. Pouyan Jahangiri Ardkapan: "Dr. Jahangiri developed a mathematical model to describe the behaviour of reactors used to produce medical radioisotopes for cancer diagnosis. This research helps us understand the dynamic behaviour of these reactors to improve their performance."
• Dr. Tannaz Ebrahimi Azarbayjan: "Dr. Ebrahimi developed new biodegradable plastics with different topologies and microstructures to replace their environmentally persistent counterparts. Her comprehensive study provides new approaches towards the development of industrially relevant catalysts for the large-scale production of biodegradable and biocompatible plastics."
• Dr. Marzieh Ebrahimi: "Numerous everyday materials and products are made up of polymers. Dr. Ebrahimi studied the molecular characteristics on the flow behaviour in molten polymers. She developed a comprehensive universal model to predict the processing behaviour of various polymers based on their structure."
• Dr. Ataollah Kheyrandish: "Dr. Kheyrandish studied the applicability of novel ultraviolet LEDs to disinfect water. He developed two protocols to facilitate the evaluation of UV-LED systems by investigating the photonics aspect of UV-LEDs. The significance of his research will contribute to the development of systems for disinfecting water using UV-LEDs."
• Dr. Ziliang Wang: "Dr. Wang studied a thermal treatment process to increase the heating value of woody biomass. He used a reactor of unusual geometry leading to improved performance in converting biomass into a material similar to lignite, a low-rank coal. His work demonstrates that biomass has potential to replace a significant amount of greenhouse-gas-emitting fossil fuels."
• Dr. Kai Song: "Dr. Song studied how to apply ultraviolet light-emitting diode or UV-LED, for water disinfection. He utilized the multiple wavelengths and pulsed irradiation of this ultraviolet source to reveal the inactivation effect on microorganisms. Findings promote better practical applications of UV-LED for water disinfection."
• Dr. Magrieta Jeanette Leeuwner Janse van Vuuren: "Dr. Janse van Vuuren focused on hydrogen fuel cells - devices which offer a more environmentally friendly means of power conversion. She investigated alternative materials for a conductive layer of the device and showed that graphene could be used to improve the performance and to extend the humidity range under which fuel cells can operate."
• Dr. Qiugang Lu: "Dr. Lu developed an autonomous controller design and maintenance strategy for the process industry that can monitor and tune model-based controllers automatically without human interventions. The proposed approach addresses several challenges to achieve this completely user-free scheme. It can greatly reduce the costs on controller maintenance."
• Dr. Badr Ali Mohamed: "Dr. Mohamed's doctoral studies focused on improving the quality of bio-fuel and bio-char produced from biomass using microwave heating and natural additives. His findings contribute to the current global effort in developing economically viable technology for the production of liquid bio-fuel and engineered bio-chars for soil applications."

Doctor of Philosophy (Chemistry)

• Dr. Akram Khodabandehloo: "Dr, Khodabandehloo developed a new method to measure the hydrodynamic size of biomolecules for the detection of protein aggregates in biopharmaceuticals. This method can be used to detect aggregates in drug formulations during production and storage which can have negative side effects. His work will improve patient safety."
• Dr. Janet Rispah Ochola: "Dr. Ochola developed materials that initiate reactions powered by sunlight. The first set converted carbon dioxide to fuel, while the second set was used for organic synthesis. Her work improves our understanding of light-driven reactions, which can be used as alternatives to current methods of preparing fuels, materials and organic compounds."
• Dr. Joseph Mitchell Clarkson: "Traditional chemical processes can generate large amounts of waste. As such, developing chemical processes that generate less waste has a significant benefit to society. Dr. Clarkson examined the chemical properties of tungsten and molybdenum containing molecules with the goal to develop environmentally friendly processes for the synthesis of consumer products."
• Dr. Elise Caron: "Dr. Caron completed her doctoral studies in chemistry. She researched novel conducting polymers and metal complexes containing sulfur-bridges. These materials have potential applications in solar cells and organic LEDs."
• Dr. Meng Wang: "Dr. Wang studied biologically active natural products from marine invertebrates, bacteria and plants. She found a series of terpenoids that activate latent HIV provirus expression from a marine sponge. Her work advances our understanding of using marine-derived compounds for novel drugs."
• Dr. Andrea Susanne Terpstra: "Dr. Terpstra designed nanomaterials that mimic the unique three-dimensional organization of biological polymers. She used cellulose nanocrystals to create thin film materials with nanometer-sized helical structures. These materials have iridescent colours and were used to study the effects of nanoscale structures on sensing and catalysis."
• Dr. Nicholas George McGregor: "Dr. McGregor has characterised a new family of enzymes unique to plants and has shown how an enzyme system produced by a gut bacterium breaks down complex plant carbohydrates. These studies contribute to our understanding of both the production and digestion of plant polysaccharides."
• Dr. Mohamed Awad Attia: "Dr. Attia explored the deconstruction pathway of the plant cell wall component xyloglucan in the soil bacterium Cellvibrio japonicus. He discovered and functionally characterized different degrading enzymes essentially involved in this neat utilization pathway. This work identifies extremely useful enzymes for future biofuel production."
• Dr. Marco Paladino: "Dr. Paladino studied organic chemistry. He extended the scope of a new reaction for the synthesis of two members of a naturally occurring family of alkaloids. His results demonstrate how this reaction can be employed for the construction of medicinal relevant molecules."

Doctor of Philosophy (Civil Engineering)

• Dr. Mehrnoush Mohammadali: "Release of antibiotic resistant bacteria from wastewater treatment systems can have serious side effects. Dr. Mohammadali evaluated treated effluent and demonstrated that waste foam is also a reservoir for the generation of resistant microorganisms. These findings will inform the effective monitoring of wastewater and safe disposal of foam."
• Dr. Gaziz Seidalinov: "Dr. Seidalinov developed a theoretical model for stress-strain response of soft soil deposits during earthquake events. He implemented his model in a versatile computational framework and validated it in complex loading scenarios. Researchers and engineers can use this tool to evaluate the stability of clay deposits and related infrastructures."
• Dr. Xiaoyu Zheng: "Dr. Zheng developed a method and process to minimize sludge production in municipal biological wastewater treatment. This method reduces operational costs and environmental impacts."
• Dr. Saad Allah Fathy Abo Moslim: "Choosing from the many alternative solutions for building design and construction can be a complex undertaking. To address this, Dr. AboMoslim developed a framework for screening and evaluating skyscraper design and construction technologies. This framework contributes toward better decision-making when building skyscrapers in specific geographic areas."
• Dr. Salman Soleimani-Dashtaki: "Dr. Soleimani developed a novel methodology for securing unreinforced masonry walls from collapse during an earthquake. His work has lead to the invention of an advanced sprayable material and a strengthening technique for seismically upgrading walls at schools and hospitals. The new technology aims to save millions of lives worldwide."
• Dr. Md Shahnewaz: "Developing efficient solutions for timber buildings systems is key to successfully meeting the growing demand of sustainable construction. Dr. Shahnewaz's research contributed to this endeavour by answering some fundamental questions required for the effective seismic design of cross-laminated timber shear walls for platform-type construction."
• Dr. Brigitte Goffin: "Dr. Goffin studied the corrosion of epoxy-coated rebar in concrete and its non-destructive detection. Findings revealed insights into the mechanisms of corrosion and that it could not be reliably detected by conventional techniques. She further developed novel techniques of detection that will make our infrastructure safer and more durable."
• Dr. Negar Roghanian: "Dr. Roghanian developed a novel cement-free, corrosion-resistant coating material to enhance the durability and service-life of aged or deteriorated concrete pipes. She further designed an accelerated chamber to simulate the bio-corrosion process in sewage pipes and successfully tested this coating."
• Dr. Ahmed Osama Amer: "Dr. Osama introduced a comprehensive framework for identifying, diagnosing and providing solutions for transportation safety issues. He applied this framework in the City of Vancouver, and discovered new insights into bike and pedestrian networks, crash models and hot zones. His work will contribute to policy recommendations for safer active commuting."

Doctor of Philosophy (Classics)

• Dr. Chelsea Alysia Michael Gardner: "Dr. Gardner examined the ancient history and archaeology of the Mani peninsula, a remote region in southern Greece. She studied the unique local identity of the inhabitants under the superpowers of Rome and Sparta, and presented a novel way to study marginal places in the ancient world. Hers is the most comprehensive work on ancient Mani to-date."

Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science)

• Dr. Jean-Sebastien Legare: "Dr. Legare studied the many privacy concerns associated with using modern cloud services. He has developed novel application design methods to improve the privacy of user data. His methods allow for cloud services that offer verifiable guarantees that user data will, in the long term, remain available, confidential, or anonymous."
• Dr. Shuochen Su: "Dr. Su studied end-to-end computational imaging systems using numerical optimization and machine learning. By introducing time-resolved image formation models for color and depth cameras, his algorithms tackled some of the challenges in machine perception. Dr. Su's research opens the door to many exciting directions in computational photography research."
• Dr. Yifan Peng: "Dr. Peng studied a variety of computational imaging modalities. He developed lightweight but powerful computational cameras and mix-and-match holographic displays. This research illuminates the insights on incorporating optics and computation algorithms to better record, understand and deliver visual information."

Doctor of Philosophy (Craniofacial Science)

• Dr. Rana Tarzemany: "Dr. Tarzemany studied the function of a protein that mediates cell communication in wound healing in skin and oral mucosa, and its relevance for scar formation. Findings from her project may be used to develop effective and predictable therapeutic modalities to prevent and treat scars."

Doctor of Philosophy (Curriculum Studies)

• Dr. Marie-France Berard: "Dr. Berard studied the experience of encountering art with the concepts of desire and assemblage from philosopher Gilles Deleuze. Arising from this research is the understanding that encountering art is a milieu of immanent ethics. It invites us into experiences of living; we never know how we will be affected and what possibilities are actualized."
• Dr. Wanying Wang: "Informed by the theory of curriculum-currere and ancient Chinese philosophical thought, Dr. Wang described how subjectivity has been reconstructed through writing autobiographically and academic studies. Findings propose that learning not only happens in classroom but also within the subjective sense of intellectual labour in a person's life."
• Dr. Jee Yeon Ryu: "Dr. Ryu studied how young children learn to play the piano by using a creative non-fictional form of storytelling. Her research illustrates the importance and value of piano teachers' pedagogical stories in the development of piano pedagogy for young children and piano teacher education."

Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Studies)

• Dr. Kalbir Heer: "Dr. Heer explored how Sikh youth think about multiculturalism and multicultural differences in schools and wider societal contexts. Particularly relevant in this study are the ways contested understandings of race, ethnicity, religion and gender influence identity formation and the ways Sikh youth make meaning of others in multicultural Canada."

Doctor of Philosophy (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

• Dr. Anas Amjad Mohammad Bsoul: "Dr. Bsoul innovated a device that can reduce the time and cost to bring new drugs to the market by automating testing drug combinations. The device also has the potential to enable new lines of research in biology, chemistry, and printable electronics."
• Dr. Amir Hossein Masnadi Shirazi Nejad: "Dr. Masnadi contributed to push the limits of semiconductor technology towards achieving higher speed, lower power consumption, and more efficient integration. His work enables a number of applications including cost effective integration of Terahertz imaging and sensing systems, and ultra-low-power, battery-free, wireless sensing connectivity solutions."
• Dr. Ahmed Mohammed ElTantawy: "In today's ever-increasing demand for fast, energy-effecient, and accessible computer accelerators, Dr. ElTantawy proposed techniques to simplify the programming models of such complex accelerators. His findings are vital for increasing the accessibility to energy efficient accelertators in a wider application domains."
• Dr. Yingwei Huang: "Dr. Huang advanced state-of-the-art computer modelling and simulation of integrated ac-dc power systems. He proposed several new dynamic phasor models of electric machines and line-commutated rectifiers with improved numerical properties. This research facilitates the development of next-generation power system simulation tools."
• Dr. Md Jahidur Rahman: "Dr. Rahman's doctoral studies dealt with interference-limited communication systems. Considering practical design aspects, such as channel state information, he developed techniques to improve power efficiency and performance fairness. His findings will help to advance communication technologies by supporting a variety of communication needs and services."
• Dr. Matin Rahmatian: "Real-time monitoring can have a significant impact on energy conservation. Dr. Rahmatian studied two real-time applications of modern wide-area measurement systems in large-scale power systems. His proposed methods enable current measurement systems to provide real-time monitoring and control of power systems."
• Dr. Chendi Wang: "Dr. Wang developed new computational methods to study the human brain from multiple sources. She applied her method to study brain anatomy and explored how different parts of the brain work together to execute certain functions. These results will improve our understanding of how the human brain works and how the brain is affected by diseases."
• Dr. Anup Aprem: "Dr. Aprem developed a set of mathematical tools to detect change behaviour from online search data, to analyze the influence of meta-data on the popularity of YouTube videos, and to determine the most effective timing to run advertisements in live social media. His work has important implications on extracting intelligence and monetizing online social media."
• Dr. Jiannan Zheng: "Dr. Zheng proposed a series of deep learning methods to tackle real world bioinformatics problems. He found that by introducing prior expert knowledge and realistic synthetic data, the data limitation in many bioinformatics problems can be overcome. His work benefits applications including disease diagnosis, patient monitoring and computer aided interventions."
• Dr. Sudha Lohani: "Dr. Lohani developed new schemes to allocate radio resources in wireless communication networks. She addressed challenges with harvesting energy from the wireless signal and from renewable energy sources. Her findings will contribute towards extending the battery life of user devices and reducing the non-renewable power consumption of network devices."
• Dr. Saba Alimadadi Jani: "Program comprehension is a crucial aspect of software engineering. Dr. Alimadadi proposed automated techniques for facilitating comprehension, helping developers understand the dynamic behaviour and motifs of program execution. Results showed that her methods significantly improve the performance of developers in their everyday tasks."
• Dr. Hasitha Jayatilleka: "In recent years, silicon photonics has become a key technology for enabling faster internet speeds, highly accurate sensing platforms, and high-performance computers. Dr. Jayatilleka's research demonstrated new techniques for controlling and stabilizing silicon photonics systems. He also developed some of the largest silicon photonics systems to date."
• Dr. Justin Funston: "Dr. Funston researched the interaction between computer hardware and computer software. He invented operating system techniques that improve the performance and increase the power efficiency of computer servers."

Doctor of Philosophy (English)

• Dr. Eve Preus: "Dr. Preus developed a poetics of early modern theatrical form and argued that Shakespeare's characters consistently evoke the anxieties of being recognized and of belonging to given worlds. Her work demonstrates how these anxieties are articulated vis-a-vis a process of admission, both theatrical and metaphysical, and equally illusory."
• Dr. Lauri Denise Jang: "Dr. Jang examined eighteenth-century British literary depictions of women's sexual behaviour. Through a theoretical perspective that focuses on how human nature coevolved with culture to inform our behaviour, she explored how engagement with risk might shape women's erotic experiences. Her study revealed overlooked aspects of women's sexual nature."
• Dr. William Rubel: "Drawing on various constructivist critical modalities, such as integral ecology, embodied philosophy, and affect theory, Dr. Rubel noted the continuing marginalization of the etho-ecological metaphysics of British Romantic poetry, circa 1790 to 1822."
• Dr. Alicia Fahey: "Dr. Fahey's research took an interdisciplinary approach to studying media in order to examine different perspectives from which we remember the First World War in Canada."
• Dr. Justin Vernon O'Hearn: "Dr. O'Hearn examined the erotic book trade in Victorian England and provided a parallel textual history of print culture during that period. Gaining access to archives and making long lost erotic texts freely available to the public, Dr. O'Hearn was able to call attention to a traditionally overlooked genre of literature."
• Dr. Matthew Michael Owen: "Dr. Owen produced an original theoretical framework for understanding how neuroscience and theories of consciousness have influenced contemporary Anglo-American fiction. His analyses establish the genre of neurofiction as a literary response to some of the most significant philosophical and cultural questions of our time."

Doctor of Philosophy (Experimental Medicine)

• Dr. Bernard Chun-Yeu Kan: "Dr. Kan examined why babies that are born prematurely are more vulnerable to infections. His findings show that immune cells in these infants have reduced metabolic function and are unable to fully react to infections. These findings may eventually be used to develop treatments that prevent infections in these vulnerable babies"
• Dr. Ali Farrokhi: "Dr. Farrokhi studied the field of wound healing for the development of non-rejectable wound coverage. He devised a skin substitute using a novel method to remove cells from skin while keeping the structural components in the skin scaffold relatively intact. This work has significant application in the treatment of burn injuries and chronic wounds."
• Dr. Shelly Benjaminy: "How can we promote informed hope as new research transitions from the bench to the bedside? Dr. Benjaminy explored the ethical challenges in the development of novel biotechnologies for degenerative diseases of the brain. This research integrates the voices of patients, clinicians, and the media to further inform the development of stem cell research in a socially minded way."
• Dr. Lucie Marie Agnes Colineau: "Leishmania is a disease that affects 6 million people worldwide. Dr. Colineau studied the interaction of the leishmania parasite with its white blood cell host and identified two proteins that promote parasite intracellular survival. This research could one day lead to the development of new drugs to treat leishmania infection."
• Dr. Young Woong Kim: "Rhinitis is inflammation of the nose caused by a virus or allergies. Dr. Kim developed a gene signature approach to investigate the pathophysiological systemic immune responses in peripheral blood collected from patients with allergic rhinitis. This research may be useful to study allergic rhinitis and test the therapeutics to improve treatment."

Doctor of Philosophy (Food Science)

• Dr. Jinsong Feng: "Dr. Feng showed how a leading foodborne pathogen called Campylobacter jejuni responds to environmental stress and survives in particular states. This study demonstrates the potential risk of fragile microorganism in the environment and food system. His work will contribute to food security."
• Dr. Ningjian Liang: "Studies have shown that chlorogenic acid (or CGA) found in plants may provide health benefits. Dr. Liang studied the effect of CGA isomers present in coffee. She discovered that these isomers mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation. Her findings are important for understanding the potential influence of CGA isomers on human intestinal health."
• Dr. Patricia Anne Hingston: "Dr. Hingston identified genetic elements associated with strains of the human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes that possess enhanced tolerances to food-related stresses. This research has improved our understanding of stress tolerance in Listeria monocytogenes and may be used to assess the risks associated with strains found in foods."

Doctor of Philosophy (Forestry)

• Dr. Timothy James Philpott: "Dr. Philpott studied root decomposition and fungal communities under alternative forestry practices. He found that leaving some trees after harvest preserves fungi often found in uncut forests, and that tree coverage slows root decomposition. His work identified forestry practices that protect fungi and potentially increase soil carbon storage."
• Dr. Letitia Da Ros: "Dr. Da Ros examined the biological potential of poplar and willow as a buffer crop to reduce the flow of phosphorus into aquatic environments and help prevent algal blooms. Effective nutrient resorption was identified as the major factor impeding phosphorus removal. This work has implications on nutrient management in perennial agriculture systems."
• Dr. Yu Li: "Dr. Li applied Material Flow Analysis to study the structure of the forest products industry. She developed the concept of 'Apparent Industrial Input' and assessed the conversion factors to measure the wood fibre flowing through the supply chain. This will improve the use of resources and increase the socio-economic benefits of the forest products industry."
• Dr. Ana Elia Ramon Hidalgo: "Dr. Ramon-Hidalgo examined the role of social capital and networks at empowering rural communities running ecotourism projects in Ghana. This research highlights the importance of considering ethnic and gender differences as well as the role of agents of change to devise effective practices in community-based natural resources management."
• Dr. Angela Lynn Dale: "Dr. Dale used genomics to investigate tree diseases. She found that urban environments increased the diversity and number of alien microorganisms in soil and water. She examined DNA characteristics in an invasive pathogen responsible for sudden oak death and argued that changes at the DNA level enable rapid evolution and may explain the success of some invasive species."
• Dr. Mijung Cho: "Dr. Cho studied composite nanofibers consisting of renewable materials from trees. This study showed the interaction between lignin and nanocellulose during the different heat treatment stages for carbon fiber production. Her study increases our understanding of using properties from renewable materials to replace petroleum-based carbon fibers."
• Dr. Wafa Chouaib: "Dr. Chouaib studied the watershed hydrology in the Eastern United States. She found that the interaction between the climate variability and watershed characteristics are determinant of the flow response. Her analysis suggested a process-based model to quantify the flow. This knowledge solves issues of prediction at ungauged basins."
• Dr. Kai Erik Tsuruta: "Dr. Tsuruta studied the impacts of climate change on the sediment dynamics of the Fraser River Basin. He adapted a small-scale model into one capable of simulating the sediment processes within a large-scale basin. His findings will inform future water-related decisions."
• Dr. Victoria Hollie Grant: "Dr. Grant explored the extent to which violence is used against environmental defenders in Cambodia. Her findings demonstrate that the threat of violence undermines the effectiveness of forest conservation projects but people continue to participate as an act of political resistance."
• Dr. Lorien Hughene Clendinnen Nesbitt: "Urban vegetation is becoming a key part of residents' well-being. Dr. Nesbitt explored the concept of urban green equity in North America, identifying its key dimensions and showing that urban vegetation is unfairly distributed across the US. This research provides guidance for urban greening programs that wish to improve green equity in their cities."
• Dr. Ana Marcela Chara Serna: "Dr. Chara studied the impacts of agriculture on freshwater ecosystems. Her experiments demonstrated that insecticide toxicity may be amplified or mitigated by other agricultural disturbances, such as fertilizer and sediment inputs. Her research will inform the development of effective strategies to protect aquatic life in agricultural landscapes."
• Dr. Gloria Kendi Borona: "Dr. Borona investigated how communities can leverage Indigenous Knowledge to better protect their landscapes and livelihoods. She found that land, ecological restoration, and food production are the main avenues where this knowledge is applied. This research illuminates the role of community engagement in ensuring sustainable conservation."
• Dr. Colin Raymond Mahony: "Dr. Mahony explored the ways that climates of the 21st century are departing from historical variability. Some of these locally unfamiliar climates are unlike the historical climate types of British Columbia and North America. Identifying novel climates is an important step in adapting forestry practices to climate change."

Doctor of Philosophy (Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice)

• Dr. Beth Whitney Stewart: "Dr. Stewart worked with youth born of forced relations in the rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda. She identified their experiences of discrimination as a national and international problem of accountability and found creative ways they negotiate belonging. Her study will inform policy for those born of sexual violence in other wars."

Doctor of Philosophy (Genome Science and Technology)

• Dr. Cecilia Perez-Borrajero: "In order to produce the proteins needed for cellular processes, the genetic information encoded in our DNA must be carefully read by molecules called transcription factors. Dr. Perez-Borrajero investigated how two of these molecules carry out their functions. Her findings help explain the different mechanisms used to interpret our genetic information correctly."
• Dr. Christopher Robert Roach: "Dr. Roach explored specialized metabolite biosynthesis in two non-model plant systems. In the flower, Crocosmia, he explored the biosynthetic genes of a new potential diabetes therapeutic. In the tree, Sitka spruce, he explored the inherent plasticity and evolution of a family of terpene synthases associated with defense against pests."
• Dr. Michael Andrew VanInsberghe: "Dr. VanInsberghe developed microfluidic methods to measure the expression of microRNAs, an important class of regulatory molecule, in single cells. He subsequently applied this technology to measure microRNA expression in the blood development system, helping to refine the model for how these cells create the different blood cell types."
• Dr. Hans Theo Volker Zahn: "During cancer development, sub-groups of tumour cells can accumulate genetic changes that make them resistant to treatment and lead to relapse. Dr. Zahn developed technologies to disentangle the mixture of cells and track how these sub-groups develop over time. This work will help to investigate new treatment choices to improve patient outcomes."
• Dr. Adi Steif: "Dr. Steif developed state of the art approaches to detect changes in the genomes of individual cancer cells. She then used these methods to decipher how distinct populations of cancer cells evolve over time. These approaches will enable future studies that examine how tumours respond to treatment and what leads to cancer relapses in patients."

Doctor of Philosophy (Geography)

• Dr. Jacqueline Laura Koerner: "Dr. Koerner examined how concepts of place and resilience contribute to understanding interactions between charitable development programs and social enterprise initiatives in the world's largest NGO, BRAC Bangladesh. Her research offers insights into this complex and integrated approach in pursuit of long-term pathways toward lives of dignity."
• Dr. Valerie Carolyn Prouse: "Dr. Prouse examined the relationship between infrastructure upgrades and military police occupation in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. She found that, together, they were used to secure territory for market formalization and often resulted in racial violence. Yet favela residents were central in re-shaping these projects for their own protection and needs."
• Dr. Kathryn Grace De Rego: "Dr. De Rego developed a numerical model that simulates bank erosion and channel shifting on rivers. She used it to show how river stability is impacted by the construction and removal of dams. This research can be used to predict the long-term impact of dams on river dynamics."
• Dr. Max Jacob Ritts: "Dr. Ritts studied listening, sound-making, and musical composition to map out the politics of industrial development on the North Coast of British Columbia. This work illustrates the complex attachments of place, and the deepening forms of technological mediation, that shape negotiations with a rapidly changing environmental geography."

Doctor of Philosophy (Geological Engineering)

• Dr. Andrew Matthew Snauffer: "Dr. Snauffer applied machine learning techniques to assessments of snow in British Columbia. He built an artificial neural network using gridded data products and a snow model to better estimate snow water equivalent across the region. This work will lead to improved avalanche and runoff forecasts as well as new tools for water resources managers."

Doctor of Philosophy (Geological Sciences)

• Dr. Luke Jonathan Hilchie: "Dr. Hilchie developed new methods to rigorously test for the action of chemical processes that produce and differentiate rocks. His applications of these methods inform the nature of chemical variability in some of the oldest volcanic rocks on Earth."
• Dr. Eric Aidan Letham: "Dr. Letham developed new laboratory techniques for analyzing fine-grained sedimentary reservoir rocks. Application of these techniques will lead to more efficient exploitation of shale oil and shale gas reservoirs."

Doctor of Philosophy (Geophysics)

• Dr. Archa Rowan B. Cockett: "Improved geophysical imaging requires coordinated advances from the disciplines of geology, hydrology and computer science. Dr. Cockett proposed and implemented a computational framework for this interdisciplinary research and focused on improving the scalability of numerical techniques used in near-surface hydrogeophysics."
• Dr. Seogi Kang: "Electrical chargeability is a diagnostic physical property for various geoscience applications such as mining. Dr. Kang's doctoral studies focused on developing a workflow that extracts a three-dimensional chargeability model from airborne electromagnetic geophysical surveys. This work facilitates locating mineral ores from the air."

Doctor of Philosophy (Hispanic Studies)

• Dr. Jorge Izquierdo: "Dr. Izquierdo studied the constructivist art movement that established itself in Montevideo, Uruguay during the nineteen thirties and forties. Although this movement has often been viewed as an individual enterprise of its founder Joaquin Torres Garcia, Dr. Izquierdo argues in favor of ways in which we can view the collective experience in arts."

Doctor of Philosophy (History)

• Dr. Mary Carol Matheson: "Dr. Matheson examined efforts by a broad range of extra-governmental actors to influence foreign policy in France's early Third Republic. Their consensus building helped to enable the Franco-Russian military alliance of 1894, illustrating the role of domestic public opinion in international relations."
• Dr. Geoffrey Kenneth Bil: "Dr. Bil examined engagements between European and Maori plant sciences in nineteenth century Aotearoa New Zealand. He found that racist interpretations of Maori knowledge originated in work undertaken by scholars who lacked acquaintance with indigenous cultures and languages. This work contextualizes and helps to challenge present-day views."
• Dr. Thomas Richard Peotto: "Dr. Peotto examined the origin of colonial policies of ethnic cleansing directed against indigenous peoples in British North America, from the 1630s to the 1880s. He also surveyed popular beliefs which excused or minimized mass killings of indigenous peoples, and recast bounty hunters and racist vigilantes as folk heroes."

Doctor of Philosophy (Human Development, Learning, and Culture)

• Dr. Renira Elyodi Vellos: "Dr. Vellos examined the wording of school safety policies and how high school principals in BC Interpreted them. Her findings showed the language of the policies conveyed a lack of safety and a zero-tolerance approach, and that principals used their discretion to ensure safety in schools. This work will inform public safety policy documents."
• Dr. Natalia Pavlovna Panina-Beard: "Dr. Panina-Beard explored the experiences of students who attended both mainstream schools and alternative programs in BC. Together with an Elder and two architects, the students imagined a school that they had never experienced and, created a school for education. This work will inform policy and planning for students in alternative programs."
• Dr. James L Floman: "Dr. Floman examined the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of digital meditation trainings for teachers. From teachers' perspectives, the meditation practices were highly engaging, and moderately efficacious and enjoyable. More research is needed, however, to determine the efficacy of digital meditations for teachers using objective measures."

Doctor of Philosophy (Human Nutrition)

• Dr. Alejandra Marcela Wiedeman: "Dr. Wiedeman focused on the essential dietary nutrient choline. She examined the association between choline intake and plasma levels at different stages of the life cycle. Her findings contribute to our knowledge about human choline nutrition and suggest that current dietary recommendations may be overestimated for infants."

Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems)

• Dr. Joshua Brett Edward: "Dr. Edward studied intersections of queer identity, ecology, and agricultural practices in farmers. His work demonstrated how queer identity shapes practices and perceptions of agriculture and ecology even as agriculture and ecology shapes queer identity. His work impacts fields ranging from queer theory to agroecology. Yes, he studied gay farmers."

Doctor of Philosophy (Interdisciplinary Oncology)

• Dr. Stephen Yiu Chuen Choi: "Dr. Choi proposed a new hypothesis suggesting that altered cancer metabolism and secretion of lactic acid dampens the anticancer immune response. His work helps us better understand the role of lactic acid in multiple cancer-promoting processes and could lead to an effective treatment strategy for advanced prostate cancer and other malignancies."
• Dr. Elizabeth Christene Halvorsen: "Immunotherapy represents a powerful and elegant method to harness the body's natural defence system to treat cancer. Dr. Halvorsen examined mechanisms to enhance the ability of the immune system to identify and eliminate cancer cells. Her work resulted in the discovery of a novel method to reduce the spread of cancer by increasing anti-tumour immunity using a drug repurposed from the HIV field."
• Dr. Hanna Claire McGregor: "Dr. McGregor showed that laser light can illuminate early malignant changes in lung tissue. Through the development of a novel medical device and clinical trial, Dr. McGregor found that adding laser Raman Spectroscopy into routine clinical procedures can help improve early lung cancer detection."
• Dr. Sifeng Qu: "Dr. Qu's study focussed on currently incurable advanced prostate cancer. Using a state-of-the-art cancer model he showed that anticancer activity of first line chemotherapy can be markedly boosted with the drug Aneustat without increasing toxicity. This drug combination may lead to improved clinical treatment of advanced prostate cancer."
• Dr. James Stuart Michael Lawson: "Dr. Lawson studied small RNAs within the blood as an early screening system for lung cancer. His work has provided evidence that a panel of select small RNAs in the blood could be used as an indicator for the presence of lung cancer. Dr. Lawson's findings could be utilized to detect lung cancer earlier and more accurately than current methods."
• Dr. Sneha Balani: "Dr. Balani examined the response in tissue culture of normal and malignant human breast cells to irradiation and developed a method to analyze these cells in mice. Her findings reveal that some normal breast cells are more resistant to irradiation than others, but all generally become increasingly resistant when transformed."

Doctor of Philosophy (Interdisciplinary Studies)

• Dr. Robert Rivers: "Dr. Rivers investigated school connectedness and problem substance use among street-involved youth in British Columbia. Results differed by gender and in the presence of known risk factors faced by youth. His research advances the understanding that increasing positive school connectedness could decrease levels of problem substance use."
• Dr. Kilim Park: "Dr. Park studied the return experience of Indonesian migrant women workers who worked as domestic workers in Asian urban centres. By gathering and working with stories told by the Indonesian returnee women, Dr. Park uncovered and highlighted their contribution to the understanding of transnational migrant lives and women's life in cities."
• Dr. Catherine Elisabeth Tong: "Dr. Tong worked closely with community partners to conduct a study on the physical activity and mobility of foreign-born older adults in South Vancouver. Her mixed-method project was done in five languages and advances our understanding of the health behaviours of marginalized older adults who have often been excluded from academic research."
• Dr. Eva Ziemsen: "Dr. Ziemsen developed a learning model that allows students to produce films online and in a virtual world using a process called machinima. Her goal was to help democratize film education. She engaged in her research as an a/r/tographer, by directing and producing two films and developing an online film production curriculum."

Doctor of Philosophy (Kinesiology)

• Dr. Sarah Koch: "Dr. Koch examined the effects of an asthma medication during exercise in those with and without asthma. She determined that although these medications could improve lung function they did not act as performance enhancers. She also investigated the diagnostic methodology of exercised-induced asthma, and uncovered some key inconsistencies."
• Dr. David Thomas Hendry: "Dr. Hendry examined models of sport expertise and the related behavioral and psychological outcomes. His research findings showed expert male and female soccer players followed an early majority engagement pathway. This pathway facilitates skill acquisition and the emergence of self-determined motivation."
• Dr. Caitlin Joyce O'Reilly: "Dr. O'Reilly examined the problem of weight stigma in health care and how to reduce this bias among health care providers. Her findings show that an online course with multiple stigma reduction strategies can be useful in addressing weight stigma among health care providers."
• Dr. Anne Marice Lasinsky: "Dr. Lasinsky explored the effectiveness of a novel treatment program for pediatric obesity. This work highlighted the use of telehealth in BC to provide healthy lifestyle counselling services to children and families. Her research assists in understanding the benefits and challenges of an intervention program outside the traditional in-person setting."
• Dr. Yannick Molgat-Seon: "Dr. Molgat-Seon examined how aging affects sex-differences in the mechanics of breathing and the perception of breathlessness during exercise in healthy adults. His work contributes to advancing our understanding of human physiology, particularly as it pertains to the functional impact of sex-differences in the structure of the respiratory system."

Doctor of Philosophy (Language and Literacy Education)

• Dr. Janet Isabelle Pletz: "Drawing on Ted Aoki, Dr. Pletz explored young children's experiences of literacies, parents' perspectives and teachers' literacy instruction. Her study implicates pedagogical relations of listening across borders of home and school. This work contributes insight into early literacy pedagogy as shaped by children, teachers' values, and family life."
• Dr. Christine Hillary Bridge: "Dr. Bridge explored the challenges and opportunities for educators to engage in the processes of reconciliation in their teaching practice. Her study builds on a body of research exploring Indigenous pedagogical frameworks in land and place-based learning."
• Dr. Bong-gi Sohn: "Dr. Sohn studied representational politics of gendered linguistic nationalism in South Korea. She examined how foreign wives married to Korean men are expected to become Korean mothers and bilingual workers. Her research contributes to a more equitable and gender-sensitive bilingual policy and educational practices and will inform policy makers."
• Dr. Teresa Jane Prendergast: "Dr. Prendergast explored early literacy in the lives of children with disabilities. She examined informational materials and interviewed parents and children's librarians and found that children with disabilities are often excluded from community-based early literacy. Her work offers recommendations for creating more inclusive programs."
• Dr. Espen Stranger-Johannessen: "Dr. Stranger-Johannessen investigated the African Storybook, a digital initiative that promotes multilingual literacy. Findings indicated that teachers' use of stories expanded the repertoire of teaching methods and topics. The teachers began to imagine themselves as writers and translators, change agents and multimodal, multiliterate, digital educators."

Doctor of Philosophy (Law)

• Dr. Erika Marcela Cedillo Corral: "Dr. Cedillo studied how national legal systems impact the interpretation of globalized standards. Using Mexico as a case study, she developed a framework for states to establish their interpretation of the term public policy using four specific factors and local legal elements. Her work guides us to engage with pluralistic perspectives in law."
• Dr. Amy Tak-Yee Lai: "Parody is traditionally understood as the use of existing work to mock or evoke humour. Dr. Lai examined whether parodies infringe on copyright laws. She further defined the scope of protection that copyright law should provide for the right to parody and applied it to several jurisdictions in order to bring their copyright jurisprudences in line with their traditions of free speech."
• Dr. Ademola Oladimeji Okeowo: "The Nansen Initiative was an intergovernmental process that addressed the challenges of cross-border disaster and climate change displacement. Dr. Okeowo examined the Protection Agenda of the Initiative and argued that it has the tendency to regulate the behaviour of states on the recognition and protection of cross-border disaster-displaced persons."

Doctor of Philosophy (Materials Engineering)

• Dr. Farzaneh Farhang Mehr: "To reduce fuel consumption, the automotive industry is aiming to increase the use of small, powerful engines. Dr. Farhang-Mehr addressed this need by designing and testing a novel water-cooled chill to be used in the production of engine blocks. Both the experimental and mathematical model results show that the adoption of this technology has the potential to improve the in-service life of the engine block."
• Dr. Tengteng Tang: "Why are some seniors more susceptible to hip fractures than others? To address this question, Dr. Tang studied patients who had sustained a hip fracture. By combining laboratory and clinical studies from the materials perspective, she improved our understanding of how the hip fractures in a clinical setting."
• Dr. Chenglu Liu: "Dr. Liu conducted a study to investigate how alloy additions affect a structure during homogenization heat treatment and to examine the high temperature strength of the AA6082 alloys. The work could assist the auto industry to replace steel components with aluminum in cars to decrease vehicle weight and reduce their environmental impact."
• Dr. Fariba Sheykhjaberi: "Dr. Sheykhjaberi studied the semi-solid behaviours of two commercial alloys to understand hot tearing - or cracks that start during solidification of a material. She demonstrated that the strength of the material is fraction solid and cooling rate dependent. Results of this project could be used to improve the casting process of automotive parts."
• Dr. Pan Fan: "An ongoing challenge in the automotive industry is controlling microporosity related defects. Dr. Fan's doctoral studies focused on porosity prediction in wheel casting and developed a method to predict hydrogen macrosegregation during solidification of the casting. This work can help increase overall quality and lower production costs."
• Dr. Jingqi Chen: "Dr. Chen examined the textures and microstructures of an alloy comprised of aluminum, manganese, iron and silicon. He studied the different conditions and relevant mechanical behaviours and developed a model based on the local texture and microstructure of this compound. This work gives new insights into the mechanical properties of complex alloys."
• Dr. Mahsa Keyvani: "Dr. Keyvani studied the use of laser ultrasonics to measure grain size evolution in cobalt super alloys and pure copper. She significantly reduced the necessity of ex-situ and labour-intensive microstructure characterizations and provided a tool to optimize processing routes for a wide range of metals and alloys."
• Dr. Hatef Khadivinassab: "Dr. Khadivinassab studied the effects of macrosegregation in solidification of aluminum alloy A356. This work resulted in an improved ability to predict final performance of a casting. This allows manufacturers to better control defects in order to improve product quality and reduce production costs."
• Dr. Shabnam Pournazari: "Dr. Pournazari examined the corrosion properties and protection systems for aluminum-copper B206 casting alloy. This is a candidate material for critical components in novel tidal-based, clean energy generating systems. This research contributes towards improving the effectiveness and reliability of marine infrastructure and clean energy generation systems."
• Dr. Matteo Pernechele: "Dr. Pernechele investigated the reactions between calcined clays and alkaline solutions to produce sustainable cement materials. His research provides understanding and guidelines to tailor the cement properties for various environmental applications, such as water purification and hazardous waste encapsulation."
• Dr. Renaud Daenzer: "Dr. Daenzer studied an alternative and environmentally friendly process to dissolve and recover gold from difficult to treat ores. His findings contribute to the understanding of the effects of by-products on this novel technology and provide opportunities to improve the process."

Doctor of Philosophy (Mathematics)

• Dr. Robert Fraser: "Dr. Fraser studied harmonic analysis and geometric measure theory. He considered questions involving packing families of surfaces into zero-volume sets and locating patterns of points in these sets. This research connects the study of fractal sets in Euclidean spaces with the study of fractal sets in other spaces."
• Dr. Xinyu Liu: "Dr. Liu develped a theory of intertwining distributions on algebraic groups. He applied the theory to study intertwining operators between smooth parabolic inductions of real reductive algebraic groups. His study also gives explicit decription of local behaviour of intertwining operators."
• Dr. Shirin Boroushaki: "Dr. Boroushaki developed new methods for constructing solutions to stochastic differential equations. These equations are used to model population dynamics in biology, demonstrate evolution of a fluid velocity and turbulence in physics, and model stock prices and risky assets in finance."
• Dr. Niki Myrto Mavraki: "Dr. Mavraki studied Diophantine Geometry, a subject with a rich history. Her work uses insights from the young field of arithmetic dynamics, which studies number-theoretic questions arising from the iteration of self-maps. Findings involve small points in families of elliptic curves and generalize earlier results in the literature."
• Dr. Alessandro Marinelli: "Dr. Marinelli completed the first proof of strong (p,p)-unboundedness for the maximal directional Hilbert transform operator in all dimensions and for the range 1 < p <2."

Doctor of Philosophy (Mechanical Engineering)

• Dr. Matthew Keith Xi-Jie Pan: "Dr. Pan explored the role that nonverbal cues can play during object handovers between robots and humans. He studied how nonverbal behaviours of both robots and humans can be used to improve the fluency, legibility and efficiency of human-robot handovers. This research illuminates how subtle gestures and cues can enrich human-robot interactions."
• Dr. Abbas Hosseini: "Dr. Hosseini developed a criterion for the forming failure of composite materials which challenges a well-known theory accepted since the 1970's. His criterion sheds light on an area of the literature which has been a source of controversy for decades. His model has been successfully validated by the experiments and implemented in commercially available software."
• Dr. Kai Kin Gary Yan: "Dr. Yan investigated techniques for obtaining accurate, efficient, and robust error estimates in computational simulations of aerodynamic flows. As problems grow ever more complex, these methods can provide guidance on the quality of simulated results and are readily applicable to a vast range of problems that can be simulated numerically."

Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Genetics)

• Dr. Samantha Lea Wilson: "Dr. Wilson studied modifications made to DNA in placentas to identify which pregnancies were at risk for complications such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. She found that changes in the placental DNA could be used to classify some complications or used to identify new protein biomarkers in maternal blood during pregnancy."

Doctor of Philosophy (Microbiology and Immunology)

• Dr. Yifei Dong: "Macrophages and dendritic cells are types of white blood cells that are an integral part of our immune system. Dr. Dong investigated how CD44 and hyaluronan regulate macrophage and dendritic cell functions. These studies demonstrate how factors in the tissue environment help to maintain lung and alveolar health."
• Dr. Jia Chao Wang: "Dr. Wang studied the role of the cytoskeleton in B lymphocytes, which are the antibody-producing cells of the immune system. Using advanced imaging tools, her research showed that the dynamic organization of actin and microtubules controls B cell activation. Her findings illustrate how the cytoskeleton is essential for B cell function."

Doctor of Philosophy (Mining Engineering)

• Dr. Eleni Patsa: "Dr. Patsa studied the overlap between geothermal and mineral resources using public information. She developed a decision-making framework that can be used to assess whether geothermal merits consideration as an energy source for a mining project. Her research demonstrates that such an assessment is possible even in the absence of specialist data."
• Dr. Ruby Stocklin-Weinberg: "Dr. Stocklin-Weinberg studied training programs for artisanal miners in developing countries. She designed a framework for how to launch, monitor and evaluate training to meet the needs of each unique mining community. Her framework will be used to improve the health, safety, labour conditions and environmental footprint of artisanal miners globally."

Doctor of Philosophy (Neuroscience)

• Dr. Katie M. Lavigne: "Dr. Lavigne identified distinct patterns of brain activity, and changes in functional brain networks over time, that underlie poor evidence integration and delusions in schizophrenia. Her work unites theoretical and empirical research on delusion maintenance in psychosis, and provides guidelines for cognitive treatments of schizophrenia."
• Dr. Catalin Constantin Mitelut: "Dr. Mitelut showed that spontaneous neural activity has temporal structure and can be linked across spatial scaled between single neurons to entire cortical hemispheres. This research further advances our understanding of cortical activity in mammals."
• Dr. Stefano Cataldi: "Dr. Cataldi characterized a new model of Parkinson's disease. He focused on early stages and causes of the disease, with the final goal to develop new, more efficient, therapies."

Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing)

• Dr. Ingrid Emilia Handlovsky: "Dr. Handlovsky has shown how age, experience, capacity, as well as historical and ongoing discrimination influence the health and illness practices of middle-aged and older gay men. Findings show that to address the health inequities faced by gay men, health promoting efforts must be developed with recognition of men's strengths and capacities amidst discrimination."
• Dr. Jennifer Marie Lior Stephens: "Dr. Stephens explored the ways in which adult haematology oncology patients experience a complex and changing identity as part of their cancer journey. This qualitative study authenticated the need for healthcare professionals to support patients as they undergo transitions that are both psychological and physiological."
• Dr. Sarah Jane Liva: "Dr. Liva developed a theory explaining how women make decisions around physical activity after giving birth. Her work indicated that women considered both the risks and accessibility associated with physical activity to bring their decisions in line with their desires. This research supports potential interventions affecting women's physical activity patterns."

Doctor of Philosophy (Oceanography)

• Dr. Anna Angelika Hippmann: "A quarter of the oxygen we breathe is produced by oceanic algae called diatoms. Using physiological and proteomic approaches, Dr. Hippmann identified the diverse response of diatoms to trace metal limitations. Her work highlights the importance of using a multi-facetted approach to increase our ability to predict population dynamics on a global scale."

Doctor of Philosophy (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

• Dr. Deborah Chen: "Dr. Chen identified three membrane-associated proteins involved in antioxidant pathways as potential storage quality markers for red cell concentrates. These protein biomarkers hint at the role of oxidative damage in transfusion product quality deterioration. Her research also provided insight into the management and delivery of blood products."
• Dr. Haoyu Deng: "Dr. Deng developed a novel strategy to treat non-small-cell lung cancer (or NSCLC) using coxsackievirus type B3 (or CVB3). His studies demonstrated that CVB3 could specifically target and kill KRAS-mutant NSCLC, a non-curable subtype, with minimal damage to normal organs. This finding will aid in the development of oncolytic virotherapy for patients unable to have surgery."
• Dr. Jonathan Kah Meng Lim: "Dr. Lim uncovered a novel mechanism for how the cancer-causing gene K-RAS modulates antioxidant levels within cancer cells to protect them from damaging free radicals and in order to support cancer initiation and growth. This research presents a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of difficult-to-treat cancers driven by K-RAS."
• Dr. Wai Hang Cheng: "Dr. Cheng developed a new clinically relevant experimental model of traumatic brain injury, which is now being used in different research laboratories. This new model has facilitated the study of the pathological development after concussions. This research illuminates the relationship between traumatic brain injuries and subsequent brain diseases."

Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmaceutical Sciences)

• Dr. Shenglong Zou: "Dr. Zou studied the relationship between somatostatin receptors and cannabinoid receptor 1 and found that these receptors exist and function in a complex. She also explored the pathological significance of such interaction in neuronal toxicity, offering a potential target for drug discovery against related neurological disorders."
• Dr. Marysol Garcia Patino: "Dr. Garcia-Patino studied the role of an enzyme called Rho kinase 2 in the development of cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetes. Her findings show that the absene of this enzyme confers protection against this type of injury, while protection is lost in the presence of diabetes. These findings have potential therapeutic implications."
• Dr. Jonathon Robert Campbell: "Dr. Campbell developed several economic models to inform healthcare policy aimed at reducing the disproportionate tuberculosis burden seen in migrant populations. He determined that targeting latent tuberculosis infection screening could cost-effectively improve population health and reduce the incidence of tuberculosis."
• Dr. Vongai Ziviso Nyamandi: "Dr. Nyamandi investigated the heart in obesity and diabetes. She showed that a diet high in fat and sucrose causes greater cardiac dysfunction than high fat alone, and that inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway prevents the onset of cardiac dysfunction in a diabetic model. This work advances our knowledge of diet- and diabetes-related cardiac disease."
• Dr. Natalie McCormick: "Dr. McCormick studied the costs of lupus and related systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases in British Columbia. Her estimates of the extra medical costs of these little-known forms of arthritis, and impact on patients' paid & unpaid work, will inform public spending and research priorities"

Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacology)

• Dr. Khalid A. Asseri: "Isovaline is a rare amino acid brought to earth by meteorite in 1969. Dr. Asseri studied the effects of isovaline as an analgesic in animal pain models and brain tissue, discovering its potential to decrease neural excitability and reduce pain. These findings demonstrate that isovaline may serve as a prototype of painkillers with minimal side effects."

Doctor of Philosophy (Philosophy)

• Dr. Garson Leder: "Dr. Leder developed a novel skill-based, naturalist theory of mental health."

Doctor of Philosophy (Physics)

• Dr. Fumika Suzuki: "Dr. Suzuki studied how entanglement among internal degrees of freedom of a composite object can affect its interaction with the other physical objects. This study has applications to the fundamental questions of the transition from quantum to classical physics, quantum gravity, quantum computing, quantum chemistry and condensed matter physics."
• Dr. Sophie Sattell Berkman: "Dr. Berkman measured properties of the pervasive tiny neutral particles called neutrinos with the T2K experiment. She developed a method to detect a second type of neutrino interaction. This method recovers neutrino events that were previously discarded and predicts a 40% increase in the total number of neutrinos used in analysis."
• Dr. Zhen Zhu: "Dr. Zhu studied the quantum behaviour of resonant energy transfer in light harvesting molecules. His research helps us understand the role of various types of environmental modes in biological processes. He also developed several theoretical techniques, which will increase our understanding of open quantum systems."
• Dr. Evan Cameron Thomas: "Dr. Thomas studied topological aspects of Quantum Chromodynamics, the theory of strong nuclear force, in a simplified toy model. He showed how certain structures, which are believed to exist in the true theory, arise in the simplified model, and discussed how they could potentially answer some questions about how the universe works."
• Dr. Marco Marchetto: "Dr. Marchetto has devised an improved technique for designing the magnets used to separate exotic nuclei for nuclear and astrophysics experiments. This allows mass selection even for masses whose separation is as small as one part in 20,000."
• Dr. Amanda Parker: "Some rubbers have a structure on the scale of nanometres and can be reformed and recycled (typical rubbers cannot). Dr. Parker used computational modelling and developed a network model to connect the properties of these rubbers (for example strength or elasticity) to details of how they act on this much smaller, nanometre, length scale."
• Dr. Rui Yang: "Dr. Yang studied nanosheets, the thinnest materials in the world. In the several materials he explored, the most important discovery is the magnetic impurities and their quantum coupling with the electrons in graphene. His work reveals some interesting quantum behavior in nano-materials."
• Dr. James Benedict Gordon: "Dr. Gordon studied the physics of strongly interacting elementary particles, performing detailed calculations in the framework of quantum field theory. He elucidated features of the quantum vacuum and generated predictions that enable precise tests of holographic duality, an important but conjectural relation between quantum theory and gravity."
• Dr. Andrew James Macdonald: "Dr. Macdonald characterized imaging artifacts in Fourier analysis of noble metal surface states, studied with scanning tunnelling microscopy. He co-developed a new technique for nano-scale location of magnetic atoms on surfaces. These works helped researchers unravel electronic correlations in quantum materials and probe single-atom magnetism."
• Dr. Mirko Miorelli: "Dr. Miorelli studied electromagnetic properties of light- and medium-mass nuclei using ab initio calculations. The findings are fundamental to advance our understanding of strong interaction dynamics in nuclear systems."

Doctor of Philosophy (Political Science)

• Dr. Sule Yaylaci: "Dr. Yaylaci studied the impact of civil wars on citizens' political and social trust. She shows that ethnic wars and ideological wars have contrasting effects and indicate the importance of distinguishing between different war types when examining their consequences. Her research is informative for post war reconciliation and reestablishing political order."
• Dr. Conrad Alexander King: "Dr. King analyzed the politics of education reform in Germany and France in response to international comparative assessments. He demonstrated that the resilience of the policy status quo depended on the nature of political institutions, with the degree of policy change resulting from the structure of policy design institutions."

Doctor of Philosophy (Population and Public Health)

• Dr. Kimberly Catherine Thomson: "Dr. Thomson studied population patterns of child and adolescent mental health. Her research shows that behaviour patterns observable in Kindergarten can predict mental health conditions and self-reported well-being up to 10 years later. Results suggest that addressing the social conditions in which children develop may promote child mental health."
• Dr. David Zachary Roth: "Dr. Roth examined the role of ecological and climate factors in driving patterns of West Nile Virus incidence in western Canada using data from BC and Saskatchewan. The results of this work were used to develop a practical decision support tool to aid resource allocation and disease prevention in the BC context."
• Dr. Giulia Michelina Muraca: "Dr. Muraca examined the risks to mothers and babies following forceps, vacuum, and cesarean delivery. Though increased use of forceps and vacuum is recommended to reduce cesarean delivery rates, Dr. Muraca argues that each of these procedures have associated risks and suggests an evidence-based, collaborative approach to selecting an intervention."
• Dr. Alden Hooper Blair: "In response to a scarcity of research addressing substance use in conflict and post conflict areas, Dr. Blair's work helped shed light on the intersection of mental health, HIV, and substance use in northern Uganda. Findings highlight the need to integrate rigorous evidence with community perspectives and understanding of risk."

Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology)

• Dr. Patrick Thomas Piantadosi: "The ability to inhibit actions that are potentially harmful is integral to survival. Dr. Piantadosi illustrated that two subregions of the nucleus accumbens, the Core and Shell, contribute to partially distinct aspects of aversive motivation. This work furthers our understanding of disorders such as addiction and obsessive-compulsive disorder."

Doctor of Philosophy (Rehabilitation Sciences)

• Dr. Chun-Liang Hsu: "As the world's population ages, mobility and cognitive impairments are major healthcare priorities. Dr. Hsu's research advanced our understanding of the neural interplay between cognition and mobility in aging. His work facilitates the development of novel interventions to promote healthy aging."
• Dr. Yi-Wen Chen: "Dr. Chen's investigations demonstrated that musculoskeletal conditions are the most common cause of pain in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Some trunk pain is caused by arthritis of the spine and fractures related to brittle bones. Her research provides a foundation for better pain management in this chronic respiratory disease."
• Dr. Susan Peters: "Dr. Peters studied how the brain focuses attention and plans leg movements after stroke. She found that the amount of attention that is paid to sensory information during movement planning is an important factor in community balance and mobility. This knowledge will aid with developing targeted rehabilitation of balance and mobility after stroke."
• Dr. Michele Rebecca Schaeffer: "Dr. Schaeffer investigated the underlying causes of breathing discomfort and the use of supplemental oxygen for exercise in patients with interstitial lung disease. Her findings have important implications for exercise rehabilitation and symptom management in this population."
• Dr. Alessio Gallina: "Dr. Gallina showed that specific regions within the quadriceps muscle are uniquely activated in the presence of clinical or experimental knee pain. These studies further our understanding of how the human body adapts to pain, contributing to effective interventions for musculoskeletal disorders."

Doctor of Philosophy (Reproductive and Developmental Sciences)

• Dr. Jianfang Zhao: "Dr. Zhao investiged the role of betacellulin, a unique growth factor, in ovarian cancer proliferation and migration. This research provides new hope in treating this lethal malignancy."
• Dr. Asif Raza Khowaja: "Dr. Khowaja conducted an economic evaluation of the community-level interventions for pre-eclampsia. His research highlights incremental costs to the health system and families. Though substantial investments are being made for technology adoption, he argues that a societal perspective is imperative to inform decisions on resource allocation."

Doctor of Philosophy (Social Work)

• Dr. Jasmyne Vanessa Rockwell: "Dr. Rockwell explored older adults' experiences of moving to assisted living: a relatively new model of housing and support for older adults in BC. By comparing participants' stories with the larger values and regulations of assisted living, Dr. Rockwell identified areas for improvement, as well as promising practices to help residents settle in."

Doctor of Philosophy (Sociology)

• Dr. Georgia Jean Piggot: "Dr. Piggot examined how organizations determine which strategies they should adopt in response to new climate change policies. Her work demonstrates that if the right support structures are in place, organizations can quickly come to terms with new requirements to address climate change."

Doctor of Philosophy (Soil Science)

• Dr. Gesa Meyer: "How does forest management affect the carbon and water balances of mountain pine beetle-attacked lodgepole pine stands in BC? Using measurements and modifying a model, Dr. Meyer found that not harvesting stands resulted in a positive carbon balance with relatively quick recovery and plateauing productivity during the second decade following attack."

Doctor of Philosophy (Special Education)

• Dr. Ashley Flis: "Dr. Flis examined the effectiveness of a computer-based reading program when implemented as an intervention tool to a group of grade 1 students who are at risk for reading failure, and a group of students who speak another language other than English. She found that early literacy intervention delivered by technology is a successful practice for both groups of students."
• Dr. Hadas Av-Gay: "Dr. Av-Gay examined the complexities of learning disabilities by interviewing students and parents. Findings revealed insights into lived experiences relating to their diagnosis; a lack of systemic early identification; and emotional difficulties. This research may contribute to the development of policy and practice on student assessment."
• Dr. Kathryn Charlotte Garforth: "Dr. Garforth examined the relationship between Chinese character reading and English literacy skills among students who had English as a second language and Chinese as their first language. She found that measures of English phonological awareness accounted for more of a relationship to English literacy skills than Chinese character reading did."
• Dr. Shuting Huo: "Dr. Huo studied English language learning, particularly reading and spelling, among children in China. She found that English vocabulary and phonological awareness have causal influence on English word reading. Her work informs the practice of English literacy education for young learners in non-English speaking countries."
• Dr. Sarah Justine Pastrana: "Dr. Pastrana examined two ways of making praise more valuable to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The results of this study have important implications for designing interventions for individuals that do not yet find social interactions reinforcing."

Doctor of Philosophy (Statistics)

• Dr. Xiaoli Yu: "Developing a new drug can be a complicated, time consuming and expensive process. Dr. Yu developed a new optimal design method, which will accurately estimate the safe and effective dose level of the new drug for patients. Her study greatly improves the accuracy and safety of clinical trials, and speeds up the drug development process."
• Dr. Hao Chen: "Dr. Chen examined both the design and analysis of computer experiments from a statistical perspective. He developed a new method to estimate the unknown parameters of a Gaussian process model. He also assessed the performance of some existing methods in sequential experimental design and provided insights into issues faced by practitioners."
• Dr. Guohai Zhou: "Many practical problems are subject to order constraints, for example, combined physical and chemical therapies are usually at least as good as chemical therapy alone. Dr. Zhou developed methods to formally utilize order constraints for statistical inference. His methods enable scientists from various disciplines to make more efficient use of the available data resources."

Doctor of Philosophy (Teaching English as a Second Language)

• Dr. Ismaeil Fazel: "Dr. Fazel explored how doctoral students at a Canadian university attempted to publish their research. He also interviewed journal editors to seek their perspectives on the challenges facing doctoral students in getting published. This research has important implications for doctoral education and supervision."

Doctor of Philosophy (Theatre)

• Dr. Lindsay Lachance: "Dr. Lachance's research makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Indigenous Theatre on Turtle Island. Her work provides excellent historical context and advances an original and deeply persuasive argument about the importance of dramaturgy in the conceptualization and embodied experience of Relational Indigenous theatrical methods."

Doctor of Philosophy (Zoology)

• Dr. Gregory James Duncan: "Myelin is an essential component of the nervous system. Dr. Duncan characterized a gene essential for myelin regeneration and critical for the stability of neural connections and recovery in a rodent model of multiple sclerosis. Findings suggest enhancing myelin regeneration may ameliorate disability in people with multiple sclerosis."
• Dr. Gigi Yik Chee Lau: "Dr. Lau examined how sculpin fishes distributed along the marine intertidal zone deal with varying oxygen levels in their environment. Her research on different species revealed variation at the subcellular level where oxygen is used to power cellular activities but may also produce harmful byproducts."
• Dr. Ryan Brady Shartau: "Dr. Shartau examined various vertebrate species for the presence or absence of a novel pattern of acid-base regulation. He found that numerous adult fishes and the embryos of two reptile species use this novel pattern. This research may provide insight into major evolutionary transitions in vertebrates, including the evolution of air breathing."
• Dr. Jasmine Tomie Ono: "Dr. Ono examined adaptation using lab-evolved populations of yeast. She found that adaptation, and the underlying genetic changes, can depend on the nature and level of stress imposed and the genome of the organism. Her findings give insight into the ability of organisms to adapt to changing environments and the consequences of such adaptation."
• Dr. Shannon Grace Obradovich: "Dr. Obradovich studied how the catch on bottom longline gear changes with the number and species of fish underwater. Underwater camera observations of fish behavior and habitat around the longline hooks showed that catches for some species were not proportional to abundance. Her work will improve the scientific advice used for fisheries management."
• Dr. Norah Elizabeth Maclean Brown: "Dr. Brown studied the ecological responses to ocean acidification caused by carbon dioxide emissions. She found that ocean acidification created simplified invertebrate communities with decreased biodiversity. Her results highlight the importance of considering animal communities as a whole to understand the interaction between different species."
• Dr. Mriga Das: "Glial cells perform diverse roles in the development and function of the nervous system. Using the fruit fly, Dr. Das identified and characterized the role of certain proteins in glia-glia communication. This study proposes models for glial cell communication that will help direct future work in other animals."
• Dr. Dimitri Ariel Skandalis: "Dr. Skandalis studied how hummingbirds' body size and wing shape affects their flight performance. He combined broad species and individual comparisons with fine high-speed filming to show that the evolution of relatively large wings and the ability to change wing shape on the fly have contributed to hummingbirds' impressive aerial abilities."
• Dr. Sean Murphy Naman: "Dr. Naman studied how stream-dwelling salmon and the invertebrates they eat are influenced by physical habitat structure. He found that a combination of contrasting habitat types is required for fish to have sufficient space to live but also enough food. This work will inform efforts to conserve and restore habitat for these iconic stream fishes."
• Dr. David Metzger: "Dr. Metzger demonstrated that maternal stress and the developmental environment has long-term effects on animals by altering chemical markings on DNA and changing gene expression. His research shows how non-genetic mechanisms can impact adaptive responses to environmental change."
• Dr. Dillon James Chung-Chun-Lam: "Dr. Chung showed how mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, help fish to cope with changes in temperature across different timescales. This work reveals the important role of mitochondria in allowing organisms to adapt to climate change."
• Dr. Catarina Wor Lima: "Dr. Wor explored the interactions between fish migration and fisheries management with a focus on Pacific hake. She developed two new modelling tools and a framework for fisheries management evaluation. Her work will aid future management of Pacific hake and many other fish species around the world."