Convocation November 2008

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership and Policy)

• Dr. Gerald Bruce Hinbest: "Dr. Hinbest studied the implications of devolving the evaluation of social programs and services to nonprofit and grassroots organizations. He examined capacity challenges experienced by communities and organizations flowing from increased accountability expectations, and the role of evaluators in coping with such effects."
• Dr. Mary Jo Moran: "In an autoethnographic study, Dr Moran used multiple methods, including reflective stories and educational criticism to explore the 'good' of an elementary school teacher's everyday practice. Her research illustrates how community is built through mutually respectful relationships created in dialogue where the teacher is learner and the learners are teachers."

Doctor of Musical Arts

• Dr. Sun-Young Sabina Park: "Dr. Park's doctoral research examined early 20th century musical orientalism in Leopold Godowsky's piano composition Java Suite. It revealed the fusion of dynamic facets of Javanese gamelan music with musical elements of the west, the aesthetic role of gamelan evocations, and how this cross-cultural phenomenon reflects musical globalization."

Doctor of Philosophy (Asian Studies)

• Dr. Kaori Yoshida: "Dr Yoshida analyzed representations in the world of Japanese and North American animation and conceptualized how media representations provide viewers with resources for articulating cultural identities. This study allows us to better understand how gender, ethnic, and national identities are expressed and formulated through media narratives."

Doctor of Philosophy (Atmospheric Science)

• Dr. Douglas C McCollor: "Dr. McCollor examined how using an optimal combination of high resolution weather models produces the best temperature and rainfall forecasts. He then showed how using these forecasts benefits water managers operating hydro-electric reservoirs in mountainous regions like British Columbia."

Doctor of Philosophy (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)

• Dr. Julie Patricia Wong: "Dr. Wong's research involved resolving the molecular detail of chemokine receptors, a well sought after, but difficult to study group of drug targets. Taking these challenges in hand, she developed and applied novel approaches to study them, providing a basis to design drugs and diagnostic tools for AIDS, cancer and various chronic inflammatory diseases."
• Dr. David Mark Hudson: "Dr. Hudson provided molecular insight into the interaction between the blood transport protein transferrin and its cell surface receptor. Dr. Hudson also discovered a novel location and potential functions for the intestinal enzyme hephaestin. Dr. Hudson's research has enhanced our understanding of iron transport and regulation in humans."
• Dr. Jennifer Hendrika Cox: "Dr Cox studied the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of enzymes that cleave proteins, in regulating inflammatory processes. This research clarifies the contribution of MMPs in immune cell recruitment and diseases such as arthritis, leading to improved understanding of which MMPs are suitable drug targets for novel therapeutics."

Doctor of Philosophy (Botany)

• Dr. Ryan Nicholas Philippe: "Dr. Philippe examined how forest trees defend themselves against insect infestations. Along with developments in poplar genomics resources and contributions to the poplar genome sequencing, his work illuminates the importance of metabolic reorganization in mounting an effective plant-wide defense response."
• Dr. Benjamin Davis Gilbert: "Dr. Gilbert explored mechanisms that allow species to coexist, or conversely, that drive some species extinct. Understanding these mechanisms is important for preserving biodiversity. He tested these theories using mathematical and computer models, and field-tested them in ecosystems in northern Canada and Costa Rica."

Doctor of Philosophy (Business Administration)

• Dr. Lars-Alexander Kuehn: "Dr. Kuehn studied how macro-economic risk impacts the value of financial assets. He analyzed how the duration of real investment projects magnifies risk in the economy and how macro-economic shocks impact credit risk. His research provides a better understanding on the interaction of asset prices and the allocation of economic resources."
• Dr. Xiaohua Zeng: "Dr Zeng examined pricing strategies in the automobile market. While car prices are previously negotiated, some sellers now set fixed prices. Using theoretical modeling and an empirical study based on a Canadian case, her dissertation adds to the understanding of the implications of different price formats for competition and consumer welfare."
• Dr. Steven Charles Glover: "Dr Glover identified the risks customers perceive in buying from web retailers and demonstrated how websites can use information technology to reduce these risks. The research helps retailers support the risk-reducing strategies of their customers, and can help customers take advantage of e-commerce for their purchases."

Doctor of Philosophy (Cell and Developmental Biology)

• Dr. Marcia Lynn Graves: "Dr. Graves studied how normal and cancerous cells in the breast are organized. She showed that high levels of the molecule podocalyxin, which correlates with poor outcome in cancer patients, alters breast tumor cell shape, and aids their growth and motility. Thus, podocalyxin may act at a critical stage when breast tumors become metastatic."

Doctor of Philosophy (Chemical and Biological Engineering)

• Dr. Chunfeng Zhou: "Dr Zhou developed a novel numerical toolkit for simulating interfacial dynamics in complex fluids. This diffuse interface-based algorithm opens numerous problems previously considered intractable to numerical simulations."

Doctor of Philosophy (Chemistry)

• Dr. Agustin Eduardo Schiffrin: "Dr. Schiffrin investigated the self-assembly of biomolecules on metal surfaces with scanning tunneling microscopy. His research employed the inherent functionalities of amino acids to design low-dimensional nanostructures, demonstrating exquisite control on the morphological, chemical and electronic properties of matter at the atomic scale."
• Dr. Miriam Sarah Anne Buschhaus: "Dr. Buschhaus explored the reactivity of tungsten and molybdenum nitrosyl complexes with cyclic olefins, and developed a comprehensive explanation for the observed catalytic chemistry. This explanation contributes to the broader understanding of catalytic olefin polymerization and to the more effective utilization of our natural chemical resources."
• Dr. Chi Woon Leung: "Dr. Leung's dissertation was on the synthesis and study of metal-containing polymers. His doctoral work examined methods to combine metals with organic plastics to make flexible materials that can conduct electricity and emit light. The results of his thesis could lead to improved materials for flat panel displays."
• Dr. Agostino Pietrangelo: "Dr. Pietrangelo investigated the effect of gravity on the order of electrochemically grown conducting plastic films by growing them in space-like conditions. His results show that films grown in zero gravity exhibit improved order compared to those grown on earth, suggesting that gravity-induced convection currents influence film deposition."
• Dr. Sherman Siu-Man Hon: "Dr. Hon studied the interfaces between calcium metal and various semiconducting plastics that are used in electronic devices in place of common inorganic semiconductors like silicon. These studies yielded information about the chemistry involved, which is important for making efficient devices."
• Dr. Anisa Shera Akhtar: "Dr. Akhtar studied environmentally benign coatings applied on aluminum alloys to improve corrosion resistance. She found that alloy structure has a significant effect on the protective overlayers formed. This research will enable a more focused approach in designing new coating treatments."

Doctor of Philosophy (Civil Engineering)

• Dr. Christopher Ryan Daniel: "Dr Daniel studied grain size and energy effects on the results of the Standard Penetration Test, the dominant index of soil behaviour in foundation engineering worldwide. He improved our understanding and interpretation of test results from gravelly sites, a challenge of widespread concern in earthquake engineering."
• Dr. Smitha Devi Koduru: "Dr. Koduru examined a new method of assessing earthquake risks to concrete buidlings. The novel method includes consideration of the uncertainties in modelling the earthquake ground motions, damage, and losses. It improves the transparency of decision-making processes for earthquake rehabilitation and retro-fit."
• Dr. Trent Hoover: "Dr. Hoover showed how hydrodynamics play a critical role in controlling the movement of animals and the distribution of food resources in mountain streams. His work demonstrates how physical and biological processes interact to modify aquatic ecosystems."
• Dr. Ing-Wei Lo: "Dr. Lo explored the mechanism of emission of nitrous oxide from wastewater biological nutrient removal processes. He proposed strategies for reducing the emission of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas contributing significantly to global warming, by controlling aeration rate, feeding pattern and pH and by using hybrid systems in wastewater plants."
• Dr. Maoxin Li: "Dr Li investigated groundwater seepage in soils like those used in embankment dams. He established a method to assess the onset of internal instability. The method is a new decision-support tool for engineering practice that is now being used by BC Hydro in dam safety evaluation."

Doctor of Philosophy (Classics)

• Dr. Shelley Annette Reid: "Dr. Reid researched the role that Roman medicine played in the life and thought of Saint Augustine of Hippo. She showed that Augustine made extensive, even unique, uses of metaphors taken from contemporary medicine. Her research also suggests that Augustine's personal medical experiences contributed to his writing of the "Confessions"."

Doctor of Philosophy (Computer Science)

• Dr. Andrew David Eisenberg: "Dr. Eisenberg formulated a new class of computer program editors that give programs control over their own presentation. He showed how these kinds of editors can lead to more expressive programs."
• Dr. Michael Anthony Blackstock: "Ubiquitous computing is the third wave of computing, where technology moves off the desktop and into the real world around us. Dr. Blackstock designed a common programming model for ubiquitous computing and through practical integration experience and prototypes provided strong evidence of the portability and interoperability benefits of his model."
• Dr. Juan Li: "Dr. Li investigated the problem of effective recovery of desired information from very large computer networks. She proposed a mechanism that is capable of understanding users' intentions and automatically locating all the information the users require. Her research provides a promising solution to sharing and collaboration challenges in these large distributed networks."
• Dr. Daniel William Archambault: "Dr. Archambault explored graph visualization techniques in which a user can decide which parts of a graph are drawn. Graphs are diagrams which help communicate the relationships between concepts or things. The techniques developed in this work may help researchers find higher-level patterns in graphs."
• Dr. Heidi Lap Mun Lam: "Dr. Lam investigated how large datasets can be better displayed for exploratory analysis. Her work helps to improve visualization interface designs that provide dataset overviews and show data at multiple levels of detail."
• Dr. Domagoj Babic: "The thesis develops powerful new ways to help find and eliminate errors automatically from complex computer software."

Doctor of Philosophy (Counselling Psychology)

• Dr. Teresa Mary Howell: "The point of no return: Aboriginal offenders' journey towards a crime free life- provides an increased understanding of the needs of Aboriginal offenders and offers guidance concerning useful strategies to incorporate into wellness plans when entering the community. Most notably, respecting Aboriginal culture and knowledge was emphasized."
• Dr. Richard Lawrence Harrison: "Dr. Harrison identified practices that protect mental health therapists in their challenging work with traumatized clients. His research illuminates how supervision, self-care, spirituality, and social support mitigate risks of burnout and vicarious traumatization, that otherwise threaten the personal and professional wellbeing of therapists."

Doctor of Philosophy (Craniofacial Science)

• Dr. Matana Pruksapong: "Dr. Pruksapong studied the socio-political and logistical complexity of the organization of oral health services in residential care facilities. She subsequently developed a model for planning and evaluating the service to ensure access and quality of oral healthcare for the frail residents of the facilities."
• Dr. Dariush Honardoust: "Dr Honardoust concentrated on the role of a special class of glycoproteins in non-scarring wound healing in the oral mucosa of humans. His research contributes to the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of wound healing and may help to prevent scar formation or tissue fibrosis."

Doctor of Philosophy (Curriculum Studies)

• Dr. Jenipher Achieng Owuor: "Dr Owuor investigated Kenyan teachers' perceptions of students' differences and how these influence curriculum implementation. Findings highlighted how social markers mask students' diversity.The study contributes to the literature on how teachers' practice influences educational success amidst challenges of poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa."
• Dr. Harriet Mutonyi: "Dr. Mutonyi's case study investigated adolescent students' understanding of the relationship between Health Literacy, HIV/AIDS and Gender. The youth are a critical constituency of reform and it is important to engage them in issues that impact development including issues of health, literacy, HIV/AIDS and Gender."

Doctor of Philosophy (Economics)

• Dr. Christopher Willmore: "Dr. Willmore studied the use of targeted advertising by firms and the government. He found that it is possible for a firm to benefit from a rival's advertising, and that there is room for cooperation between private firms and the government on certain advertising campaigns."
• Dr. Aneta Kinga Bonikowska: "Dr. Bonikowska studied the integration of immigrants and their children in Canada. She foundthat ethnic enclaves and ethnic friendships have offsetting impacts on the economic outcomes of immigrants, and showed that immigrant children are better educated because the family invests in their education and not the parents' human capital after arrival."

Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Studies)

• Dr. Amir Hossein Mirfakhraie: "Dr. Mirfakhraie developed a multicentred theory and methodology in analyzing curriculum reform and showed that despite the inclusion of critical educational theories, Iranian textbooks construct the world by references to multiple "us" and "them" categories based on contradictory anti-imperialist and nationalist narratives and discriminatory discourses of whiteness, Shi'ism and patriarchy."
• Dr. Michelle Elizabeth Pidgeon: "Dr. Pidgeon explored institutional responsibility and accountability to Aboriginal education from Indigenous perspectives. She found that relationships were key to institutional transformation. Her research provides clear direction for improving policies, services, and programs in order for Aboriginal students to be more successful."
• Dr. John Franklin Meredith: "Dr. Meredith investigated social dynamics among skilled trades workers at a large West-coast shipyard. He found that the hiring practices and cultural norms of this workplace help to protect tradesmen from job competition, but that they also contribute to sustaining the peculiar demographic and social profile of heavy trades occupations."

Doctor of Philosophy (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

• Dr. Majid Khabbazian: "Dr. Khabbazian designed and developed new reliable protocols for wireless ad hoc networks, the main communication option in scenarios where having a communication infrastructure is not practical or the existing infrastructure has been destroyed by for example a natural disaster such as earthquake or hurricane."
• Dr. AmirHamed MohsenianRad: "Dr. Mohsenian presented several simple, robust, and optimal resource management schemes for wireless access networks. Different from most of the previous heuristic design schemes in the literature, the algorithms in this thesis are designed within the unified analytical framework of network utility maximization, a concept borrowed from microeconomics."
• Dr. Ing-Wher Helen Chen Chen: "Dr Chen developed inexpensive backup solutions for computer networks. These solutions successfully maintain service quality in case of failures, thereby dramatically improving user experience on the Internet."
• Dr. Craig Adam Hennessey: "Dr Hennessey developed techniques for improving eye-gaze tracking and the ability to determine where one is looking in 3D space. The methods developed provide a novel means for human computer interaction, and may help to improve the quality of life of the disabled who use eye-gaze for communication."
• Dr. Julian Guerrero: "Dr. Guerrero developed and tested a system in laboratory and clinical settings for identifying deep vein thrombosis. He used ultrasound, which characterizes vessel compressibility and blood flow using novel image processing and sensor data. The system aims to assist medical professionals through a screening procedure which potentially increases disease detection."
• Dr. Peter Nicholas Christian Hallschmid: "Dr. Hallschmid developed statistical methodologies for automatically customizing processors for low-power portable electronics. These methodologies can be used to build faster, more cost-effective and more energy-efficient portable electronics for industries ranging from health and communications to entertainment."
• Dr. Mehdi Alimadadi: "Dr. Alimadadi investigated a number of clock energy recycling techniques to improve the overall power dissipation of high-performance logic circuits. Those recycling methods might be used in many high-performance chip designs, to lower power and save energy."
• Dr. Syed Hussain Ali: "Dr. Ali addressed the problem of cross-layer scheduling and radio resource allocation in cellular wireless networks. He argues that combining information available in different layers of the network for resource allocation decisions improves the system performance."
• Dr. Bradley Reginald Quinton: "Dr Quinton developed a new infrastructure for diagnosing and correcting functional defects in complex integrated circuits. This infrastructure has the potential to substantially decrease the time required to develop new integrated circuits and reduce the need for expensive design corrections."

Doctor of Philosophy (English)

• Dr. Joseph Gavin Paul: "In examining the history of Shakespeare's drama in print, Dr. Paul demonstrated how Shakespeare's editors enable readers to engage with performance histories and cultural memory. While acknowledging the advancements of electronic editions, his work establishes the continued relevance of the relationship between editors, readers, and printed texts."
• Dr. Brook Louise Houglum: "Dr Houglum examined the impact of early radio broadcasting on American poetry. She demonstrates how poets developed models of listening and speaking in relation to the first mass medium, and how these models expose the possibilities and limits of mass sound communication for personal, political, and public discourse."
• Dr. Sean Gary Somers: "Dr. Somers's dissertation examined literary networks between Ireland and Japan in the early twentieth century. In particular, he assessed how their intercultural practices emphasized the constitutive role of folklore as posturing a heritage culture for the formulation and dissemination of transnational subjectivities."
• Dr. Jennifer Bowering Delisle: "Dr. Delisle examined the literature of Newfoundland out-migration, arguing that the concept of 'diaspora' provides a useful framework for understanding this large population dispersal and accompanying issues of nationalism, memory, and identity. This study provides a useful contribution to both the fields of diaspora studies and Canadian literature."

Doctor of Philosophy (Experimental Medicine)

• Dr. Ebrima Gibbs: "Dr. Gibbs used state-of-the-art technology to characterize the development of unwanted antibodies in Interferon beta-treated multiple sclerosis patients. He was part of the first team of investigators in North America, outside of clinical trials, to show that patients who develop unwanted anti-Interferon antibodies lose the beneficial effects of Interferon-beta."
• Dr. Alison Marie Karst: "Dr Karst examined protein expression patterns in melanoma skin cancer in order to identify novel therapeutic targets. She then validated these targets by using gene therapy and pharmacological inhibitors to treat melanoma in a mouse model. This work makes an important contribution to the field of targeted cancer therapy."
• Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Allan: "Sarah carried out research on human white blood cells to characterize how a protein known as FOXP3 regulates the immune system. Her work helped to determine why and how FOXP3 is essential for normal immune function, and provided clues to how it can be targeted for therapy in patients with immune-mediated diseases or who receive a transplant."
• Dr. Alexander Scott: "Alexander Scott's research, conducted in the Experimental Medicine program, focused on tendon overuse injuries. Dr Scott combined clinical and laboratory research to generate new insights into how tendons become injured through overuse. This research paves the way for future research into new treatments."
• Dr. Poh Choo Tan: "Dr. Tan has made significant breakthroughs in the field of blood stem-cell research. She identified Podocalyxin as a key cell-surface protein which plays a major role in stem-cell migration - a process which is required for successful bone marrow transplants. This discovery may lead to better lives for cancer patients."

Doctor of Philosophy (Fine Arts)

• Dr. Barry Stephen Magrill: "Dr. Magrill studied the business of building churches in nineteenth-century Canada and its relationship to evolving patterns of taste and commerce. He found that pattern books of churches imported to Canada, and used in the design process, linked religion, economy, and taste."

Doctor of Philosophy (Food Science)

• Dr. Erin Nicole Friesen: "Dr. Friesen examined sustainable alternative feed ingredients for the aquaculture industry. Atlantic salmon and sablefish were fed these new diets and she showed the alternative ingredients to be safe and nutritious food products because they were low in persistent organic pollutants and a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids."

Doctor of Philosophy (Forestry)

• Dr. Alaine Francine Camfield: "Dr. Camfield's work focused on adaptations of songbirds to high elevation environments. She found that even in harsh alpine environments songbirds are able to survive and reproduce well. Her results suggest that alpine habitats may serve as important areas of refuge for some songbird species as low elevation habitats continue to be developed."
• Dr. John Marty Kranabetter: "Dr. Kranabetter developed an improved measure of soil nitrogen supply and demonstrated how foliar attributes of understory trees can be used to calibrate models of productivity in partial-cut forests. Information on how well trees grow when both light and nutrients are limiting is required for assessment of alternatives to clearcutting forests."
• Dr. Nicole Klenk: "Nicole's PhD focused on the role and responsibilities of forestry scientists in forest policy making and the ethical dimensions and implications of scientific constructs commonly used in international and Canadian forestry research, planning and policy."
• Dr. Trevor Charles Lantz: "Dr. Lantz studied the effects of climate warming and disturbance on Arctic ecosystems. His work shows that the combined effects of fire, thawing permafrost and warming temperatures are causing rapid changes in northern vegetation. Changes in Arctic vegetation have important consequences for global climate, wildlife habitat, and traditional foods."

Doctor of Philosophy (French)

• Dr. Natasha Karin Nobell: "Dr. Nobell examined the continued significance of the symbol of the cross in the literature of Quebec after 1960. As represented in the novels studied, the cross becomes a metaphor for the transformation of religious discourse within a cultural framework of secularization."

Doctor of Philosophy (Genetics)

• Dr. Ghazaleh Tazmini: "Dr. Tazami studied the molecular mechanisms that regulate a protein called RasGRPI which directs the immunological functions of lymphocytes. She showed how multiple parts of this protein cooperate to control its ability to become differentially activated in response to antigen receptor signaling."
• Dr. Rebecca Goulding: "Dr. Goulding studied a family of signaling proteins called RasGRPs, which are important for immune cell function. In order to stimulate other signaling proteins, RasGRPs need to be tethered to cell membranes. Her research examined the molecular mechanisms of how RasGRPs associate with membranes of cells."
• Dr. Irina Arielevna Maksakova: "Dr. Maksakova investigated how endogenous retroviruses, the inherent components of our DNA, are kept in check. She proposes a novel evolutionary mechanism employed by retroviruses to circumvent the host defense systems and amplify in the genome. This research increases our understanding of how heterogeneous genomes of many species were formed."
• Dr. Ian Edward Bosdet: "Dr. Bosdet identified and characterized a gene involved in the development of the fruit-fly eye. This research will give us a better understanding of how cell adhesion and programmed cell death contribute to the development of complex tissues in animals."
• Dr. Yang Zhao: "Dr. Zhao investigated the damaging effects on the integrity of genetic information by various factors ranging from space radiation to oncogenic mutations. This work leads to a better understanding of genome stability which helps extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability."

Doctor of Philosophy (Geography)

• Dr. Helen Watkins: "Dr Watkins traced the histories of scientific and technical knowledge that made possible the production of artificial cold and documented the domestication of the refrigerator. She showed how the ability to prolong the life of perishables reshaped shopping and eating practices but also reconfigured relationships between time, space and distance."
• Dr. Min-Jung Kwak: "Dr. Kwak examined how different factors and actors are involved with the recent growth of the international education industry between Seoul, Korea and Vancouver, Canada. She emphasized the roles of governments, local educational institutions and ordinary migrants in promoting Vancouver as a popular destination for international students."
• Dr. Matthew Aaron Schnurr: "Dr. Schnurr investigated attempts by settlers and scientists to impose cotton as a commodity crop in the eastern region of South Africa known today as KwaZulu-Natal. He argued that, despite repeated failures, cotton facilitated important structural changes to the region's agricultural, political and economic landscape."
• Dr. Amanda Stan: "Dr. Stan examined the growth response of trees following the formation of natural canopy gaps in old-growth forests of coastal British Columbia. Her research provides important information for reconstructing past forest disturbances, understanding tree species coexistence, and predicting the impacts of forest management in coastal British Columbia."

Doctor of Philosophy (Geological Sciences)

• Dr. Lawrence Stephen Winter: "Dr Winter investigated the geological setting of a series of large copper- and zinc-rich mineral deposits in 100 million year old rocks in Peru. This research helps in the understanding of the geological evolution of the Andes and also provides a better understanding of the genesis of such mineral deposits"
• Dr. Abraham David Escalante Aramburu: "Dr. Escalante identified regular and systematic alteration halos to polymetallic base metal mineralization in the Peruvian Andes. The halos mark the escape of spent mineralizing fluids, thereby providing insight into the nature of fluid circulation in this environment. These halos are useful guide for mineral exploration."

Doctor of Philosophy (Human Development, Learning and Culture)

• Dr. Angela Yan-Yan Yu: "Dr. Yu investigated the roots of morality. She found that how people view the world influences how they view themselves and their social relationships. People's worldviews, self-views, and relationships influence how they solve social problems and make decisions. Her study integrates different schools of moral psychology with cultural psychology."
• Dr. Maria Josefina Pighini: "Dr Pighini's multiple case studies examined the experiences of parents of developmentally at-risk children serviced by the Infant Development Program of BC. Her findings support the implementation of a primary-level early identification and intervention system for at-risk children within a family-centered and collaborative model of services."

Doctor of Philosophy (Human Kinetics)

• Dr. Ellexis Boyle: "Dr. Boyle shows how Arnold Schwarzenegger's perception as a strong leader during the 2006 recall election relied heavily upon his celebrity depictions in popular media as a 'body of governance'. Her research strikes to the very heart of notions about power in America that reify celebrity, ideal bodies and individualism."

Doctor of Philosophy (Interdisciplinary Studies)

• Dr. Czesia Fuks Geddes: "Dr. Geddes developed themes of adolescent depression generated by adolescents' definitions of depression. Adolescents' self-recognition of depression, and social and emotional competence were also examined in association with dimensions of depressive symptoms. This research provides new insights regarding the concept of adolescent depression and its early detection and intervention."
• Dr. Susanne Aranka Duska: "Dr. Duska analyzed the sources of legitimacy and effectiveness of norms of social control within the Tibetan Diaspora in India. The questions raised, the methodology used and the findings are critical to policy debates about how cosmopolitan states accommodate different ethnic and religious communities within a liberal constitution."
• Dr. Yvonne Bombard: "Dr. Bombard examined the nature and extent of genetic discrimination faced by Canadians at risk for Huntington disease. She found that genetic discrimination is frequent among Canadians and results in high levels of distress. This research provides direction to clinicians and informs policy supporting individuals at risk for genetic diseases."
• Dr. Eric Laite Macnaughton: "Dr. Macnaughton studied how young people with psychotic illnesses gain insight into their conditions. He showed the instrumental role of narrative in helping individuals find an understanding that is resonant with their experience and adaptive to their lives.The research will help clinicians engage people into care, and promote meaningful recovery."
• Dr. Patricia Georganna Camp: "Dr. Camp examined sex and gender in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Using population health, CT scan and pulmonary function data Dr. Camp found significant differences between men and women in the epidemiology, pathophysiology and exposure history of this disease. This research also illuminated the importance of measurement validity in gender studies."
• Dr. Austin Pierre So: "Dr So developed a universal platform for the accurate quantitative analysis of gene expression. Termed the U-STAR platform, it represents the culmination of his investigations into state-of-the-art gene expression technologies, resolving the many deficiencies in these technologies that compromise their ability to provide quantitative information."
• Dr. Julianne H Petrie Thomas: "Dr. Petrie Thomas found that in 8-month-old infants born extremely preterm, decreases in heart-rate during focused attention and sustained focus while exploring novel objects strongly predicted cognitive development. This knowledge will lead to methods for the very early identification of infants at-risk for attention and cognitive problems."

Doctor of Philosophy (Language and Literacy Education)

• Dr. David Ward: "Dr. Ward created a theoretical model for integrating literary arts mentors into elementary and secondary school curricula. This model provides the framework for future studies in author-mentorship from a position that recognizes the social nature of language learning and the importance of building on and extending children's previous knowledge of writing."
• Dr. Jeremie Samuel Seror: "Dr. Séror examined second language university students' and content instructors' perspectives of the impact of providing feedback to written assignments. Focusing on the explicit and implicit messages found in the discourse of feedback, Dr Séror highlights the often unspoken forces and functions that shape this widespread educational practice."
• Dr. Sunah Park Cho: "Viewing Heritage Language maintenance as a social practice, Dr. Cho's exploratory qualitative study attempted to understand how Korean immigrant families in Greater Vancouver are involved in their children?s Heritage Language maintenance by investigating, comparing, and contrasting the participants? attitudes and practices."
• Dr. Sin Heng Celine Sze: "Dr. Sze examined the functions and genres of the English writing of Chinese ESL children. She found that at home the children wrote more for personal and social purposes for real audiences, or for entertainment than they did in school. She suggested teachers incorporate children's home experiences into school-based writing."
• Dr. Tannis Luise Morgan: "Dr. Morgan employed sociocultural frameworks to examine how online instructors negotiated their teaching presence in international contexts. She found that language, identity, and positioning were important mediators in online teaching, revealing new insights into online teaching and learning."
• Dr. Ulrike Tallowitz: "Dr. Tallowitz examined the reading strategies that North American intermediate students of German use when they read German webpages. Through observations and think-aloud protocols she determined the linguistic and intercultural challenges such Internet reading presents. Her findings lead to pedagogical implications for designing suitable Internet tasks for foreign language students."
• Dr. Lyndsay Elizabeth Moffatt: "Dr. Moffatt examined how parents, teachers and a teacher-librarian-researcher constructed 'reading', the category 'readers' and social in/equality in the context of "research interviews for a study on literacy". She found that she and the participants produced equal and unequal social relations and values through their talk of reading and readers."

Doctor of Philosophy (Law)

• Dr. Bernard Patrick Haggerty: "Dr. Haggerty compared how nongovernmental groups in Canada and the United States monitor and contest hate crime labeling decisions by police and the courts. Differences in hate crime laws influence our understanding of equality by altering the types of social contention used to denounce homophobic and trans-phobic violence."

Doctor of Philosophy (Linguistics)

• Dr. Karsten Andreas Koch: "Dr. Koch examined how speech melody is used to highlight important information in Thompson River Salish. This endangered First Nations language is spoken in the BC interior. Findings are based on a significant new body of valuable language recordings. The results challenge cognitive models of the link between information status and speech melody."

Doctor of Philosophy (Mathematics)

• Dr. Santiago Moreno: "Dr Moreno presented an alternative to traditional methods for designing and pricing "over-the-counter" financial products. An efficient numerical algorithm to estimate the price of such products is also presented. The research provides a modern approach to modelling a growing sector of the financial markets."
• Dr. Quin Wai Lo: "Dr Lo's research focussed on the developement and optimization of stationary and moving grids used in orthogonal interpolation. This research provided considerable improvements in the efficiency of existing methods used in numerical solutions of boundary value problems arisen from quantum and statistical mechanics."
• Dr. Roger David Woodford: "Dr. Woodford studied the asymptotic behavior of the number of ways numbers can be expressed as the sum of fixed powers of prime numbers. He also looked at the average orders and behavior under iteration of divisor functions evaluated by applying symmetric polynomials to the multi-set of prime factors of a number."

Doctor of Philosophy (Mechanical Engineering)

• Dr. Ye Li: "Dr. Li developed a numerical tool to optimize the distribution of tidal current turbines in a farm, and the energy cost of the farm, by formulating a new analytical method to study the hydrodynamic interaction between turbines. This research sheds light in several different disciplines and received a number of awards."
• Dr. Bijan Azadi Borujeni: "Dr. Azadi developed versatile computer-aided models to describe the dynamic behavior of Shape Memory Alloys. These models enable reliable design of parts made of Shape Memory Alloys for various industrial applications ranging from actuators and dampers, to medical devices, and orthodontic wires."
• Dr. Paul Joseph Krochak: "Dr Krochak examined the orientation behavior of elongated particles flowing through a linearly contracting channel in a viscous fluid. He showed that particles interact with each other and with the fluid in such a way as to alter the particle orientations and to change the structure of the flow field."
• Dr. William Benjamin Stewart Ferry: "Dr. Ferry developed methods of modeling and optimizing the machining process used to manufacture jet engine impellers. During his course of study, he worked closely with Pratt & Whitney Canada, a major gas turbine engine manufacturer. By applying the methods developed in his thesis, he reduced the machining time of a production part by 20%."
• Dr. Eyyup Aras: "Dr. Aras studied tool intersections in machining. He developed analytical methods for calculating the cutting area in machining operations such as milling. The methods he developed will allow more accurate simulation of the cutting process."

Doctor of Philosophy (Microbiology and Immunology)

• Dr. Morgan Mackensie Martin: "Dr. Martin studied the activation mechanism of the hepatitis C virus enzyme, non-structural 3 protease. Her work identified crucial parts of the protease that can now be targeted for anti-hepatitis C drug development. During this work, she invented a new cell-based technique for studying proteases that can be applied to other fields of research."
• Dr. Brett McLeod: "Dr. McLeod characterized proteins involved in proper DNA maintenance in the bacteria Bacillus subtilis. This research contributes to the understanding of two large protein families which stabilize DNA inheritance in bacteria, leading to a better understanding of how bacteria ensure proper DNA content in their progeny."
• Dr. Parvin Bolourani: "Dr. Bolourani showed that genetic manipulation of specific amoeba provides an elegant approach for elucidating the function of the highly conserved intracellular signaling Ras proteins which are found in all nucleated cells. He provided some of the best evidence to date showing conslusively that two Ras proteins have distinct but crucial roles during cell aggregation."
• Dr. Jennifer Leigh Cross: "Dr. Cross has shown that the enzyme CD45 is an important regulator of dendritic cell responses to pathogens. This research highlights a novel role for CD45 in linking early and late immune responses."
• Dr. Jennifer Leah Bishop: "Dr. Bishop showed that susceptibility to Salmonella infections, which kill over 500,000 people each year, is controlled partly by SHIP, an immune cell regulatory enzyme. Her work highlights the potential for immune cell regulators to be targeted by therapies designed to combat infectious diseases."

Doctor of Philosophy (Mining Engineering)

• Dr. Donald John Hallbom: "Dr. Hallbom developed a rheological model to explain the flow behaviour of non-settling slurry. He used this model to derive the engineering equations required for the hydraulic design of pipelines. His results were presented in a form that can foster an intutitive understanding of slurry pipe flow by practicing engineers."

Doctor of Philosophy (Neuroscience)

• Dr. Zhi Liu: "Dr. Liu investigated some unconventional forms of synaptic plasticity that are critical for our memory formation and other brain functions. These studies will provide guidance to some therapeutic solutions for memory-related neurological disorders."
• Dr. Michael Hildebrand: "Dr. Hildebrand investigated how the activation of brain cell receptors alters the function of electrical proteins called calcium channels. His studies have helped us understand how the brain forms the complex electrical firing patterns that underlie normal functions such as sleep patterns as well as those of disease conditions such as epilepsy."
• Dr. Kun Huang: "Dr.Huang found the first enzyme that regulates an important acylation process called palmitoylation in mammals. She then examined how this enzyme controls the trafficking and folding of huntingtin, the protein that is mutated in Huntington disease. Her finding illuminates a novel mechanism that contributes to the pathogenesis of Huntington disease."
• Dr. Christopher James Fox: "Dr. Fox examined where in the brain facial identity and expression are processed, how they are linked, and how they are affected in patients with brain damage. This study provides detailed knowledge of face perception and possible avenues for functional recovery in patients."
• Dr. Sarah Christine Lidstone: "Dr Lidstone studied the placebo effect in Parkinson's disease. She found that the strength of belief of improvement has a profound effect on dopamine levels in the brain, and that the brain can reproduce the effect of medication in response to a placebo. These findings are important for the design of clinical trials and the treatment of patients."
• Dr. Kimberly Ann Gerrow: "Dr. Gerrow studied how proteins are assembled in order to make synapses; the sites of connection and communication between neurons of the brain. Her work has provided new insights into the trafficking of scaffolding and adhesion proteins at synapses during brain development."
• Dr. Miranda Witheford: "Dr. Witheford examined a cell-based transplantation therapeutic for spinal cord injury, olfactory ensheathing cells. She determined mechanisms used by these cells to promote the growth of specific axons after they are damaged by spinal cord injury. These investigations will contribute to directed therapies for the treatment of spinal cord injury."

Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing)

• Dr. Victoria Ann Bungay: "Dr. Bungay explored the health problems and health management strategies of women who are street-involved and use crack cocaine. She found that women were active in managing their health but their options were limited due to extreme poverty, violence, and the discriminatory interactions they experienced within the health care system."
• Dr. Jennifer Lyn Baumbusch: "Dr. Baumbusch examined the organization of long-term residential care in BC. Her findings illustrate the consequences of a decade of restructuring along with multifaceted demographic factors on the day to day interactions between those who live and work in this complex sociopolitical milieu."

Doctor of Philosophy (Occupational and Environmental Hygiene)

• Dr. Catherine Mary Trask: "Dr Trask's thesis compared different ways of measuring risk factors for back injury in five heavy industries in BC. Her work helps researchers decide who to measure, how to measure and when to measure, in order to identify and prevent the work causes of back injury."

Doctor of Philosophy (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

• Dr. Alain Gulenga Musende: "Dr. Musende demonstrated that cancer drugs can be combined with compounds isolated from ginseng to achieve better therapeutic activities. His work focused on preclinical models of prostate cancer and yielded evidence of synergy. This research contributes to our quest to minimize side effects of chemotherapy while maintaining anticancer efficacy."
• Dr. Tammy Lee Romanuik: "Dr. Romanuik determined the molecular changes that occur during the progression of prostate cancer to advanced disease. Her research provided evidence for the mechanisms of progression, and identified potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers of prostate cancer."
• Dr. Maggie Chon U Cheang: "Dr Cheang developed a clinically practical panel of six biomarkers that classifies breast cancer patients into genetically distinct types. This assay is now being applied onto clinical trials to predict patient response to chemotherapy, and parts of her work have already been adapted for hospital testing both locally and worldwide."
• Dr. Bradley Philip Coe: "Dr. Coe studied the role of specific genomic alterations on the aggressive nature of small cell lung cancer. He accomplished this by developing novel high resolution genomic profiling tools and analysis software to study and compare lung cancer subtypes. His work has identified novel biochemical pathways associated with aggressive disease."
• Dr. Jina Song: "Dr Song examined the biochemistry of coagulation factor V (=five), a vital clotting protein in our blood. The increased knowledge about its biochemistry allows us to develop novel therapeutics and diagnostics to help, treat, and prevent heart disease, haemorrhage and stroke."

Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmaceutical Sciences)

• Dr. Kevin John Letchford: "Dr Letchford developed a nano-sized drug carrier composed of biodegradable polymers for the anticancer drug taxol and evaluated its properties in blood. Enhanced solubility, stability and controlled drug release were achieved. This nanomedicine has the potential to increase blood circulation lifetime and drug effectiveness by targeting tumor sites."

Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacology and Therapeutics)

• Dr. Balraj Singh Heran: "Dr. Heran evaluated the blood pressure lowering of two drug classes widely prescribed for hypertension. He found the classes lower blood pressure similarly and at low doses. He argues that, since the drugs and classes do not differ in their effect, the choice should be based on cost."
• Dr. Dongzhe Song: "Dr. Song investigated the cause of cardiovascular dysfunction in diabetes. His results show that high blood glucose in type 2 diabetes leads to excessive productions of nitric oxide and reactive free radicals, and that inhibition of the production of these chemicals improves cardiovascular function and sensitivity to insulin."

Doctor of Philosophy (Physics)

• Dr. Rodrigo Goncalves Pereira: "Dr Pereira developed a theory that describes the dynamics of one-dimensional quantum magnets. The results of his research explain the exotic magnetic properties observed in neutron scattering experiments."
• Dr. Darren Campbell Peets: "Dr Peets grew and characterized crystals of the high-temperature superconductor thallium-2201, then studied their electronic structure via X-ray spectroscopy. His crystals' behavior was uniquely comprehensible, offering a long-awaited foothold of understanding in a great unsolved problem in physics."
• Dr. Bojan Ramadanovic: "Dr. Ramadanovic studied the relationship between the string theories and gauge theories in the context of interacting strings and orbifold geometries. Full understanding of these relationships could potentially enable the string theory to probe currently analytically inaccessible regimes within the standard model of particle physics."
• Dr. Alexander Frank Weber: "Dr. Weber investigated individual Porphyrin biomolecules absorbed on a metal substrate, using a Scanning Tunneling Microscope. He studied and modified their self-assembly, conformational properties and their electronic structure. Modifying the Porphyrine's properties will allow their use as functional building blocks for nanostructured materials."

Doctor of Philosophy (Planning)

• Dr. Meidad Kissinger: "Dr. Kissinger developed an interregional ecology approach to sustainability in a globalizing, increasingly interconnected world. He documented trade related material flows, ecological footprints and ecological impacts, and analyzed their policy and planning implications for sustainability."

Doctor of Philosophy (Plant Science)

• Dr. Alain Boucher: "Dr. Boucher studied environmental and genetic variations in the chemistry of the medicinal plant Echinacea. The information generated from his research has led to a series of recommendations for plant breeding projects aimed at developing Echinacea varieties with improved therapeutic qualities."

Doctor of Philosophy (Political Science)

• Dr. Fiona Lisa MacDonald: "Dr. MacDonald investigated the current trend of neoliberal multiculturalism and the implications of its practice by current governments in Canada. This research assists us in understanding the shifting political terrain that contemporary social movements must navigate in order to pursue more just relations with the the state."
• Dr. Philip Charles Orchard: "Dr Orchard examined the origins and evolution of international mechanisms to manage refugees. By tracing state policies back to the 17th century, he demonstrated the critical role played by legal and social norms in defining how states pursued refugee protection at the domestic level as well as through international cooperation."
• Dr. Philippe Bourbeau: "Dr. Bourbeau investigated how the movement of people is framed as a security concern in Canada and France. He develops a new analytical framework for the study of the securitization of international migration in which discursive power, agents, and domestic audiences play paramount roles."

Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology)

• Dr. Carrie Beth Cuttler: "Dr. Cuttler established a link between checking compulsions and prospective memory, which is the ability to remember to perform activities in the future. Her research indicates that a deficit in prospective memory contributes to the compulsion to check. Her findings have implications for the conceptualization and treatment of checking compulsions."
• Dr. Ilan Dar Nimrod: "Dr. Dar-Nimrod reports that media provide deterministic genetic accounts for complex human phenomena. He offers a theory to illuminate effects of genetic essentialism. He supports this theory with previous research and new empirical studies demonstrating that primed with evolutionary theories men tolerate sex crimes more than men primed with sociocultural theories."
• Dr. Elina Britt Birmingham: "Dr. Birmingham tested the long-held assumption that humans have a preferential bias to attend to the eyes of other people. Her dissertation fills in a substantial gap in the social attention literature, and brings to light important theoretical and methodological issues in social attention research."
• Dr. Matthew Nicholas Hill: "Dr. Hill examined the role of the endocannabinoid system, the brain's natural version of cannabis, in depressive illness. Data in this dissertation demonstrated that major depression is associated with deficient endocannabinoid activity and that drugs which increase endocannabinoid activity may prove useful as a new class of antidepressant."
• Dr. Carla Marguerite Seipp: "Dr. Seipp's research investigates how mothers develop preferences for the treatment of childhood ADHD. Her research provides an important foundation for understanding how parents make decisions regarding the treatment of their children's mental-health problems and will help improve communication between families and health-care professionals."
• Dr. Nicole Michelle Dorfan: "Dr. Dorfan studied the interplay of thoughts and emotions in relation to contaminants. Her study showed that what people think of a contaminating stimulus predicts their subsequent emotional and behavioural responses to it. Her research has direct implications for improving psychological treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder."
• Dr. Travis Bryan Proulx: "Dr. Proulx initiated a novel theoretical paradigm in social and developmental psychology: the Meaning Maintenance Model. His research examined cultural and developmental differences in how people respond to meaning threats, as well as the relationship between meaning maintenance failures and the incidence of suicide among First Nations youth."
• Dr. Paul Hommersen: "Dr Hommersen studied two common childhood disorders, Separation Anxiety and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, examining why these disorders are perceived to co-occur more often than expected. His work showed the effects of context-lacking questionnaire items and negative halo bias in increasing parent report of the co-occurrence of these disorders."

Doctor of Philosophy (Reproductive and Developmental Sciences)

• Dr. Se Hyung Park: "Dr Park's research focused on the role of estrogen in ovarian cancer progression. He concluded that estrogen can promote ovarian tumor metastasis and may therefore increase the cancer risk. This study provides a better understanding of the etiology of ovarian cancer and helps establishing therapeutic and prevention strategies against the disease."

Doctor of Philosophy (Resource Management and Environmental Studies)

• Dr. Miriam E.F. Bixby: "Dr. Bixby developed an economic model to compare the environmental, economic and social implications of a set of forestry policies in British Columbia. Social welfare was found to be maximized through the implementation of policies that compensate forestry firms for the carbon and biodiversity they accumulate in their forest stands."
• Dr. Rasha Maal-Bared: "Dr. Maal-Bared examined disease-causing bacteria living in attached bacterial communities in surface water. She found that monitoring these communities, particularly in the summer season, resulted in better prediction of the persistence of pathogens in a drinking water source. The findings contribute to the protection of public health."
• Dr. Shashidharan Mavattom Enarth: "Dr Enarth explored the relationship between institutional robustness and criteria for good governance of local self-governing natural resource users' institutions in India. His dissertation demonstrates the importance of early institutionalization of democratic behavior during the process of decentralization of natural resource programs."
• Dr. Jamie Lise Donatuto: "Dr. Donatuto's thesis illuminates how local seafoods represent deeply meaningful resources tied to a multi-dimensional concept of health in a coastal Native American community. Given contamination of these seafoods, she re-evaluated its impact on consumption and use, and created an evaluation tool to better assess social and cultural risks."
• Dr. Natalie Corinna Ban: "Dr. Ban looked at how society chooses where to put protected areas in the ocean. She showed that local people (in this case First Nations) have enough knowledge to select areas of value to conservation. Communities agreed, however, with Natalie?s findings that incorporating available science into the planning produced an even better outcome."
• Dr. Charles Matthew Wilson: "Dr Wilson explored the factors that influence homeowners' decisions to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Understanding these influences helps governments and energy utilities design more effective behaviour-change policies. These ultimately reduce the environmental impact of the energy system."

Doctor of Philosophy (School Psychology)

• Dr. Serge Lacroix: "Dr. Lacroix studied issues of bilingualism, language development and background; test translation and adaptation in the context of psychological and educational assessment. He examined the impact of code-switching and the use of a second language on scores obtained on measures of cognitive abilities."

Doctor of Philosophy (Sociology)

• Dr. Mark Christopher John Stoddart: "Dr. Stoddart used interviews, textual analysis and field observation to explore skiing in BC. While the ski industry describes itself as pro-environmental, social movement groups dispute the sport's ecological legitimacy. Skiers appreciate how the sport brings them into nature, but are also aware of its negative environmental impacts."
• Dr. Sandra Rachelle Enns: "Dr. Enns studied the way social capital relations in British Columbia?s rural, coastal communities are highly gender differentiated. Women were found to capitalize on their unique position and strong networks to access economic and social resources, enabling them and their families to remain in their communities despite ongoing economic instability."
• Dr. Darcie Nadine Bennett: "Dr. Bennett examined the role of private security guards in building a 'world class' city that can be marketed to tourists, investors and higher-income homeowners. This work highlights the complex social position of guards as low-wage workers and agents of social control."

Doctor of Philosophy (Special Education)

• Dr. Jennifer Natana Katz: "Dr. Katz's doctoral research involved the creation of a school program to develop compassionate learning communities by involving students in activities that made them aware of individual differences and the value of diversity. The program increased students' self-respect and respect for diverse others, and reduced bullying and discrimination."

Doctor of Philosophy (Statistics)

• Dr. Mohua Podder: "Dr. Podder proposed new statistical methods and algorithms for analyzing data to genotype a patient. The methods exploit the deliberate redundancy in the data and lead to fast, automatic, and highly reliable genotyping for personalized medicine."
• Dr. Hui Shen: "Dr Shen developed theory and algorithms for cross validation, a method widely used to assess and compare empirical models. She proposed computationally efficient methods for dealing with multiple complex models fit to large data sets, and a bias correction when assessing linear regression."
• Dr. Guohua Yan: "Dr. Yan developed a statistical method for exploring linear structures in data. The method helps extract useful information in large data sets. Dr. Yan applied his method to develop a promising algorithm that automatically classifies genotypes in genetic studies."

Doctor of Philosophy (Zoology)

• Dr. Rene Ludo Beyers: "Dr. Beyers studied the distribution and abundance of elephants and other mammals in Central Africa and found that these are largely determined by human activity. The civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo caused major declines in populations of elephants, poached for ivory and forest antilopes, hunted for bushmeat."