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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Dr. Davis examined the role of evolutionary theory in explaining religious belief and behaviour. His research shows that both genetic selection and cultural selection play essential roles in religious evolution, and this research contributes to our understanding not only of religious psychology, but also of human evolution in general. | Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Klubben explored women's experience of exiting street sex work. Her study examines steps taken throughout the transition, including obstacles faced and resources needed. Overall, with this information, Dr. Klubben aims to work to remove barriers, increase resources and make the transition out of prostitution easier for sex workers in the future. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Meredith discovered the links between proteins in the blood and structural changes within the heart in acute heart failure patients. The proteins she identified were related to patient outcomes and response to treatment. This work adds to our understanding of heart failure development, and the processes involved in recovery from cardiac injury. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Royer devised deterministic and statistical models of seismic deconvolution. She exploited the latter model to generate low frequency earthquake templates from tectonic tremor. Its application to the Cascadia subduction zone provides insight into the plate boundary properties. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geophysics (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Ha studied the genome alterations in the DNA of cancer cells. He developed novel computational algorithms to detect these mutations in breast and ovarian cancer patients. His work has advanced our understanding of how tumours evolve and will facilitate future studies on genetic causes for treatment resistance and cancer metastasis. | Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Shadkam studied the mechanical properties of pure and binary alloys of copper. Based on carefully designed experiments, a physically-based model to describe the work-hardening behaviour of the alloys was developed. The model can be applied to advanced high strength aluminum alloys for aerospace applications or niche steels for defense applications. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Graham challenged the promotion of harm reduction as an appropriate response to prostitution. She drew on interviews with women active in anti-violence and advocacy work with women in prostitution. The study reveals the limitations of harm reduction, and supports feminist arguments for women's freedom, including the abolition of prostitution. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Das Gupta's study of the determinants of nutrient consumption in India helps unravel hitherto unexplored factors that affect food demand in less developed countries. His work reveals the role played by conspicuous consumption in reducing calorie intake among the rural poor in India. This research should inform future anti-malnutrition policy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Solez contributed to the cultural history of ancient Greece. He demonstrated that banqueting or feasting was the ideal mode of cultural contact in the worldview of Greeks in the eighth and seventh centuries BCE. Multicultural banquets explain the continuities in Mediterranean banqueting-styles and other evidence of cultural exchange. | Doctor of Philosophy in Classics (PhD) |
| 2014 | 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. Dr. Yan tried to develop a new cure for prostate cancer based on the natural molecules found in an Indonesian marine sponge. With his colleagues, Dr. Yan has identified the structure of a promising anti-cancer drug which may save the lives of thousands of Canadian men every year. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Pearson studied views held by administrators, faculty members and undergraduate students on curriculum integration in a program of study. She found that students had a better understanding of ways in which curriculum elements are integrated across disciplines, and of teaching approaches. Her findings suggest future direction for curriculum reform. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Asghari examined the distribution and function of Ryanodine Receptors, which are calcium channels in heart muscles. Her work provided a new mechanism by which the contraction of heart may be regulated. These findings might open up new avenues to heart disease therapies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Burns explored factors that influence a police officer's decision to access psychological services. Her research deepens our understanding of help seeking within the context of police culture. Based on her findings, she proposes strategies and changes to current practices that will more effectively meet the needs of the policing population. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Stukas studied novel therapeutic treatments for Alzheimer's Disease. Her research leveraged knowledge of the beneficial effects of high density lipo-proteins, also known as the good cholesterol, to impede or reverse progress of the disease in the brain. Her findings demonstrate that what is good for the heart is also good for the brain. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Pryjma studied the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni, which acts as a disease causing agent . His research demonstrates how Campylobacter regulates its own metabolism and how it infects human cells. These finding are important as they help to explain how Campylobacter induces disease and what nutrient sources it uses while doing so. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Dong investigated the movement of atoms in multi-layered structures for semiconductor devices. He built a set of models which can predict those movements precisely under certain conditions. Those models play a key role in the design of new device structures and thermal processes for next-generation semiconductor devices. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Bernhard studied the regulation of HIV-1 latency. She characterized an important mechanism involved in repression of HIV-1 and identified and characterized small molecules that purge cells latently infected with HIV-1. These findings increase our understanding of how HIV-1 expression is regulated and move us closer to a cure for HIV-1/AIDS. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Zhang studied Alzheimer's disease at UBC`s Townsend Family Laboratories. She found that, in mouse models, a protein called UCHL1 delays Alzheimer's development, by reducing the formation of plaque in the brain. Dr. Zhang's work highlights the potential of UCHL1 to treat Alzheimer's disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Bazargani studied the seismic demands on reinforced concrete columns in high-rise shear wall buildings. His research will help engineers design safer new buildings as well as conduct seismic evaluation of older buildings. The results of his computer simulations have had a direct impact on the 2015 edition of the National Building Code of Canada. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Casanova-Moreno studied the characteristics of chemically modified electrodes, typically employed in bio-sensors used for healthcare applications. Different processes that create imperfections on the deposited organic layers were described. These results are expected to translate into better performance and reliability of the modified biosensors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Williams examined the interactions between the digestive enzyme, human pancreatic alpha-amylase, and various inhibitors, to determine how they reduce the rate of starch digestion. She discovered a new binding motif that blocks substrate access to the enzyme's catalytic site. These studies may lead to new treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Minami studied the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. He developed and implemented an action-based psycho-social reconciliation approach, to foster peace between survivors and perpetrators of that genocide living in the same villages. This research will help in developing the world's first evidence-based war prevention and peace building strategy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. McDermott completed his doctoral studies in the field of Physics. He made advances in understanding the structure of quantum entanglement and also in explaining the relation between information and gravity. Dr. McDermott's findings will assist future researchers working in this field. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Dunn studied the structure of human genes. She developed a method for isolating multi-component particles that are involved in the expression of genes. This tool will allow scientists around the world to better understand and treat a wide variety of human diseases, including various cancers, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Luzi studied the movement of sediment in gravel bed mountain streams. He demonstrated the importance of larger-than-average streambed particles in controlling channel stability and patterns of sediment transport. This research can in turn be used to assess the potential effects of development on aquatic habitats. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |