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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Dr. Wu studied in depth the transceiver optimization problem for modern broadband cooperative wireless communication networks. His research outcomes provide important physical insights and valuable guidelines for the design of practical cooperative wireless systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Sharma investigated how a group of anti-HIV drugs may cause therapy failure or toxicity. His results linked these drugs with certain proteins that control drug elimination processes in humans. Along with offering a rational basis for selection of anti-HIV therapy, his data provide novel therapeutic prospects for these drugs in other diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Macedo developed novel mathematical tools and numerical algorithms for the solution of optimizing problems arising in scientific imaging. His work outlines a nonstandard theoretical approach to such problems as well as a concrete computational realization capable of solving large scale instances in practical scenarios. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Ji studied reasons for the preventive shift in Chinese criminal law. She claimed that the rise of risk control through criminal justice methods was a state response to uncertainties generated by reforms. Her research not only promotes Chinese socio-legal study, but also makes contributions to international comparative study of criminal law. | Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
| 2016 | The emergence of personalized medicine, due to advances in genomics and proteomics, has created a clinical demand for increasingly specific diagnostic testing. Dr. Lund developed and validated 2 such tests, aimed at specific forms of both leukemia and lung cancer. This unique approach has the potential to directly impact cancer diagnostics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Genome Science and Technology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Why do some communities avoid armed conflict even when facing a significant threat? By studying the 20-year confrontation over coca in the Chapare region of Bolivia, Dr. Prest found that communities that resolve internal challenges collectively and inclusively seek out non-violent ways to resolve conflicts with other groups, including the state. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Wainwright studied the hormonal and cellular underpinnings of depression. He demonstrated that altering the production and the interactions of neurons in the brain changes the likelihood to develop depression and the effectiveness of antidepressant drugs. These findings provide insights into the pathology and treatment of depression. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Huisman's research focused on tendon degeneration. Specifically she examined the role of the protein MMP2 in response to tendons being mechanically stimulated and demonstrated that MMP2 plays a key role in the degenerative effects of tendons. This knowledge will aid in our understanding of tendon degeneration and in the treatment for tendon health. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Harandi developed a framework for 3D, subject-specific bio-mechanical modeling and simulation of the oro-pharyngeal structures, based on medical images. Using this framework, she was able to measure and quantify inter-speaker variability in the muscle-activation patterns responsible for production of the /s/ sound. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Garside examined the role of the transcription factor SOX9 during mouse embryonic heart valve development using a number of genomic approaches. Through her analyses of genome-wide datasets on embryonic valves, she discovered that SOX9 plays a key role in regulating a critical network of transcription factors essential for heart valve formation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Akbarian's research examined the fundamental aspects of the general theory of relativity. He used computational resources to solve Einstein's equation in black hole formation scenarios and found new solutions that contribute to a better understanding of the theory of gravity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Melashvili studied the leaching of gold with thiosulphate that had been generated by the simultaneous oxidation of pyrite. She derives an equation predicting thiosulphate yield based on a conceptual model for the progress of a series of reactions. Her findings offer an interesting possibility for process development in the gold sector. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Tam investigated why women may be more susceptible to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. His research findings indicate that female sex hormones are associated with increased airway tissue scarring and decreased antioxidant response to cigarette smoke. This work highlights several targets that may advance current drug treatment efficacy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Crover studied the cultural history of the early modern Thames through plays, frost fairs, chronicle histories, and civic records. Her work revealed that the Thames shaped the construction of English national identity as much as desires for cultural dominance shaped English notions of the Thames. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Knuhtsen worked on an interdisciplinary project within the fields of peptide chemistry and epigenetics. Based on a lead a library of peptides were synthesized which was used to identify an inhibitor of the enzyme family Protein Arginine Methyl Transferases. This inhibitor was subsequently characterized further. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Mason studied school-aged children's speech in long words, that may impact learning to read. Her results indicated that children with a history of speech therapy had difficulty with multi-syllabic words even though they were able to pronounce short words. Her work also contributed a clinical measure for assessing speech in long words. | Doctor of Philosophy in Audiology and Speech Sciences (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Mahmoodi focused on the development of an inhibitor of an enzyme that plays an important role in the modification of certain proteins. This modification has been shown to relate to cancer processes in the cell. Her results may help in the development of a new class of anti-cancer drugs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Lim studied gene and microRNA expressions in cancer. She discovered patterns that are associated with cancer development & treatment resistance. Her results can be used towards the design of diagnostic tests to identify patients who are unlikely to respond to standard therapy and may be better served with more aggressive & experimental therapies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Chung identified genes, which function in the repair and the recombination of DNA by studying the roundworm. He demonstrated that a reduced number of DNA breaks influences the overall outcome of recombination. His findings illuminate an important step in the re-shuffling of genetic material that occurs naturally in organisms from fungi to humans. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. McBurney explored pathways by which chromatin structure is regulated using budding yeast as a model organism. Her studies provide insight into the complicated mechanisms by which genes are expressed or repressed, helping us understand one of the most basic processes of all living organisms. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Westwell-Roper showed that protein aggregation within the pancreas in type 2 diabetes causes tissue damage due to inflammation. Blocking immune cell activation prevented disease development in animal models. This work helps us understand why insulin secretion decreases over time and points to new therapeutic targets for type 2 diabetes. | Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Ohsawa examined the relationship between popular culture and social change in modern Japan. She explored the conceptualization of the human body and mind in relation to technologically enhanced beings in postwar Japanese science fiction. This research contributes to debates around the ethics of future mind/body/machine relations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Asian Studies (PhD) |
| 2016 | Depleting carbon-fuel reserves and increasing environmental impacts drive the development of clean alternatives. Fuel cells promise clean energy for mobility. Dr. Schwager developed novel methods to analyze fuel cell degradation. This work contributes valuable information to improve fuel cell performance and reliability. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2016 | Guided by her Elders and drawing on memories evoked by her grandmother's photos, Dr. Cranmer's research focuses on the challenges facing an adult heritage language learner in reclaiming her language, Kwak'wala. The study contributes to both learning and teaching insights for other residential school survivors to reconnect with their languages. | Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) |
| 2016 | Dr. Tong studied how the E3 ligases and helper NLRs affect plant immunity.These studies help us to better understand how plants defend against pathogens. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |