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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Dr. Harrison developed a method for mapping motor areas of the brain by using laser light to stimulate neurons in the cortex. This technique was then applied to study the circuitry that controls voluntary movement and to investigate the ability of these circuits to rewire themselves after an ischemic stroke. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Zhang studied the determinants of corporate leasing. She found that uncertainty and financial constraints play important roles in understanding corporate leasing decisions. Her research also suggested that leasing is less used in countries with weak legal environments. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Mansoor developed miniature microscopes in the form of handheld devices and endoscopic catheters. These instruments provide optical images of tissue in real-time that facilitates detection of diseases such as skin and gastrointestinal cancer. His research can help to lower healthcare costs by detecting cancer in its early and most treatable stage. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Qiu developed a computer program to study radiation exposure. She focused on a type of in-room CT imaging procedures which increases the precision of radiation therapy. This study will help physicians and patients to understand the potential cancer risk due to the imaging process. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Lam studied how plants make the waxy layer on their surface that serves to protect them against water loss, UV light, pathogens and insects. Her research has uncovered a novel mechanism for how plants regulate the genes required to synthesize this waxy layer. These results may have broad implications in agriculture and plant biotechnology. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. MacIntosh studied anti-homophobia education through Vancouver youth media. She identified several issues within existing anti-homophobia discourse, including its detrimental influence on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer self-identification. This work has substantive implications for social justice education, youth media studies and queer theory. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Hossain conducted his research in the field of Superconductors. He made accurate measurements of four materials in virtually zero electrical resistance, and produced results which differed significantly from the existing literature. His findings will help to increase our understanding of superconductivity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Lim studied the value placed on the aesthetics of forests. He compared how people in Korea, China, Japan and Canada, and experts in Korea and Canada, rate the aesthetic importance of forests. From his findings, he developed ten forest aesthetic indicators that can be used in future Sustainable Forest Management schemes at an international level. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Ramshaw studied the electronic behaviour of materials that exhibit the unique characteristic of high-temperature superconductivity. He provided key insights into the puzzling behaviour of electrons, which carry electricity in these materials with no energy loss. His work has narrowed the theoretical field and has provided clear guidance for future experiments. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Donaldson studied the physiology, behavior, and survival of migrating Pacific salmon captured by fisheries. Laboratory and field studies revealed that even a brief fisheries capture resulted in a high stress, prolonged recovery and delayed mortality. Fisheries managers are using these results to enhance survival estimates for migrating Pacific salmon. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr.Speers-Roesch explored the reasons some fish can maintain heart function during periods of low environmental oxygen, when lack of oxygen causes heart failure in most animal, including humans. He found that continued heart function greatly relies upon optimized oxygen supply and the ability to decrease the heart's energy demand. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. McAdam showed that the chronic absence of juvenile white sturgeon in some populations is the result of fine sediment accumulation in spawning habitats within dammed rivers. His findings are already being applied to improve the quality of white sturgeon spawning habitat and restore successful wild reproduction. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Hara examined the significance of art in the identity of Cambodian people living in the global, digital age. Her research methodology combined interviews, writing, filmmaking, calligraphy and performance. Her study contributes a critical, post-colonial lens to education and research dealing with issues of diversity and diaspora. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Chen studied the causes of autism in children. He showed that a mutated protein affects early brain development by limiting the growth of nerve cells. This mutation limits the ability of nerve cells to process information. These findings provide insights into how autism-associated mutations may produce abnormal brain development, resulting in persistent cognitive dysfunction. Dr.Chen's work contributes to the body of research into autism, its prevention and treatment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2012 | The rhythmic beat of the heart relies on electrical signals. Dr. Sarhan studied ways in which a specific electrical signal is regulated when it is conducted along pathways known as sodium channels. Through his research he uncovered a new pathway which was found to be disrupted in patients with cardiac arrhythmia, and this confirms its physiological relevance. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Othman studied the melt and processing behaviour of a promising biodegradable thermoplastic. This could be a solution for the large amount of plastic packaging waste throughout the world. The findings from this study can be used in simulations of various processes and to increase the efficiency of the processing and productivity of this biodegradable plastic. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Satin demonstrated that yoga practitioners and runners show similar advantages over inactive individuals on both physical and psychological determinants of cardiovascular health. Her research suggests that yoga has the potential for significant health benefits and deserves additional rigorous research. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Leung investigated the effectiveness of hormonal emergency contraceptives in a large cohort of women who received these medications under real usage conditions. Her research findings will help women and health providers make more informed clinical decisions about using these medications as a method of family planning. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Sarwal examined ways in which International Cancer Control Congresses affect the way cancer, a key global health challenge, is being addressed. Through her investigations, she developed and applied a method for evaluating the impact of such capacity-building efforts. Initial findings show that the Congresses facilitated change, fostered communities of practice and aided in knowledge transfer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Khan critically analysed the film "All is Number". The study raised concerns regarding representations of mathematics, the learning of mathematics from film, and the work of ideology in the popularization of mathematics. This findings from this research offer a way to re-conceive mathematics education. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Gilchrist conducted research in the areas of physical pharmacy and drug delivery. His research contributes to the understanding of drug phase separation from polymer carriers, and has developed an antibiotic-loaded nanofiber formulation, which provides a preclinical proof-of-principle for the prevention of implant-associated infections. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Brook-Roberge measured the ratio in neutrino interaction probability between oxygen and carbon using a novel statistical subtraction method. This result will help improve the measurement of neutrino oscillations to better understand the fundamental mechanisms of the universe. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. McMurchy studied the function of a protein called FOXP3 in human white blood cells and investigated ways to prevent rejection of transplanted organs using regulatory white blood cells. This research expands our knowledge of the immune system and could improve the health of organ transplant recipients | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Mai has developed processing methods for next generation cameras and displays that support images and videos of an ultra-high contrast. Dr. Mai's solutions ensure that these new-generation images and videos can be transmitted efficiently from cable carriers to individual households, while providing viewers with life-like visual experience. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Moore investigated the optical and electronic properties of late-transition metal complexes. The properties of those complexes are related to the way compounds, or conjugated ligands, bind to the metal. Dr. Moore observed three different ways in which the ligands bind, and the resulting new hybrid complexes demonstrate potential for use in light-harvesting applications, such as solar cells. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |