A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
| Year | Citation | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Dr. Khazraie studied the electronic structure of bismuth oxides. He showed that holes form on oxygen ions in contradiction to the ideas of charge fluctuations in Bismuths. His work can create a new class of materials that can host coexisting electron and hole gasses and lead to the realization of excitonic insulators. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Obst investigated drug resistance in advanced prostate cancer. His work led to the recognition of a drug metabolism pathway exploited by resistant cells, and found that sensitivity could be restored using second-generation inhibitors. This study will hopefully aid in the development of novel compounds used to treat lethal prostate cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Yang developed a novel cell-free cancer therapeutic from bioreactor systems. She demonstrated that this therapeutic efficiently activated naive immune cells to kill cancer cells. The therapeutic consists of small natural molecules called microRNAs. Her research may result in a safer, faster and lower-cost approach for treating cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Cahill looked at cells in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in memory. She found a different pattern of survival between cells born during adulthood and development and that adult-born cells can inhibit development cells. This research allows some insight into where importance should be placed on finding treatments for memory loss. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2019 | Water distribution networks are one of the most important elements in urban infrastructure systems and require huge investment for construction. Dr. Moosavian studied several optimization methods and applied multi-objective models for a reliable design of pipe networks. This work will contribute to more efficient evaluation and optimal design of water systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Sadek demonstrated novel uses of organofluoroborates as sources of fluorine for chemical reactions, and synthesized boron and fluorine containing fluorescent molecules with novel structures and properties. These works serve to expand the chemical reactivity of organofluoroborates as well as the development of potential tools for medical imaging. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2019 | Aberrant telomere length maintenance can lead to premature aging disorders. Dr. Xu studied genetic modifiers of telomere maintenance and revealed their contributions to the variable manifestations in telomere biology disorders. This study will help to build individualized models for the prediction of short telomere-associated disease presentations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Li studied the planning issues when applying mobile sensing robots in environmental monitoring. He proposed a systematic planning framework for navigating the robots in an environmental survey. His work improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the mobile sensing process and the application in aquatic monitoring. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Li studied chemical reactions that can be performed in a photoelectrochemical or electrochemical cell. Reactions are driven by sunlight and electricity to make fuels and valuable chemicals. His research provides a promising means to store solar electricity into useful chemicals. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Karlinsky studied how partners impact each other when learning motor skills. In addition to her novel methodological contributions, Dr. Karlinsky's research adds to our understanding of principles of motor learning in social contexts and informs the design of efficient and effective practice in the field. | Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Soong used DNA sequencing and mouse models to characterize drug sensitivities in cancer cells with faulty DNA repair machineries. Altogether, this study increased our understanding of the additional function of a pre-existing drug, with novel potential therapeutic targets. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Kennedy found that use of supervised drug consumption facilities helps to prevent serious harms, including violence and premature mortality. She also found that involving people who use drugs as staff enhanced the effectiveness of this service. This research has provided important evidence to improve health services for people who use drugs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Jiang studied the temperature dependent conductivity and flexibility of large area single layer graphene. She integrated graphene films with charge selective materials to fabricate flexible transparent conductors and subsequently applied them as electrodes in flexible organic photovoltaic devices. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Meents characterized plant Golgi during secondary cell wall formation, helping to explain how many essential molecules are made in the cell. Dr. Meents also employed education research to compare different teaching techniques in cell biology classes, leading to significant improvement in problem solving instruction in courses at UBC. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Adu's research focused on the systemic factors, which create barriers to tuberculosis prevention and control in an increasingly connected world. Dr. Adu found evidence of an association between globalization and tuberculosis and further showed how systemic factors drove tuberculosis incidence among healthcare workers in South Africa. | Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. McGirr used mouse models of stress to study large scale brain network changes. He also studied how existing and novel treatments rescue normative network function. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Mahapatra completed his doctoral studies in the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research concentrated on developing energy-efficient and secure models for the Internet-of-Everything systems. His findings will help the vendors as well as consumers save energy and cost while maintaining high quality of service. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Parmasad studied Type 2 diabetes among Indian Trinidadians in Debe, Trinidad and Tobago. She examined reasons people did not follow medical advice. These included structural inequities in healthcare access and incompatibilities with local sociocultural contexts. Her findings highlight the importance of tailoring standardized treatment regimens. | Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (PhD) |
| 2019 | To understand and scaffold source-based writing practices of graduate students, Dr. Kowkabi offered a socio-pedagogical approach for analyzing the processes of source selection and source integration in student writing. Her study provides insights for institutional and educational action plans to support student interactions with source texts. | Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching English as a Second Language (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Tuysuz studied virtual process modeling of machining complex thin-walled components used in the aerospace industry. He developed novel mathematical models and algorithms for digital manufacturing of jet engine rotors. His work helps identify manufacturing related defects so they can be solved before the actual part is produced. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Hibbert examined how current mood state impacts ratings of self-reported personality traits. Her findings help clarify the interplay of emotion and self-perceptions, and increase confidence in the use of self-report measures of personality across varying affective contexts. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Fabris developed a simulation-based framework to encourage the systematic integration and aggregation of the composites manufacturing science base. Known as Knowledge in Practice, this framework formalizes knowledge use to enable the composites industry to adopt science-based practices to minimize production risk, cost, and development time. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Gilmour completed his doctoral studies in the field of Chemistry. He investigated new catalytic methods to functionalize polymeric materials, for example to allow them to self-heal or bio-degrade. This work may contribute to the replacement of traditional plastics with advanced materials that are sustainably produced. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Hsu studied trade politics and its relations with historical development of nationalism and populism in Taiwan. Her research unravels multiple drivers and complex forms of discursive mediation that contributed to trade and economic liberalization. It challenges conventional understanding of neoliberalism and indicates space for social change. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2019 | Dr. Li characterized a new-in-class NMDA receptor positive allosteric modulator. The new drug has applications as a research tool and potential therapeutic in psychiatric and neurological disorders. | Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD) |