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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Dr. Wong discovered a long-sought causative mechanism behind tuberculosis. His studies revealed that a key protein from the tuberculosis-causing bacteria blocks the ability of human immune cells to defend against infection. His research contributed to our understanding of tuberculosis and promoted the development of new antibiotics against the re-emerging disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Lin identified and examined molecules in the blood of heart transplant patients. Those molecules can help indicate when patients are having acute and chronic immune rejection episodes. His work demonstrated the potential use of these molecules, known as biomarkers, in a clinical setting, as well as their value in helping us understand the biology behind transplant heart rejection. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Hua studied statistical models that improve on classical methods for modelling risks. He can better quantify and bound the risk of simultaneous occurrence of rare events such as large financial losses in different markets. This research is relevant to insurance practice and financial risk management. | Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Minks studied inactivation of X chromosome, which is one of the chromosomes that determine gender. In almost every woman cell, genes from only one of the two X chromosomes are utilized to produce proteins. The work of Dr. Minks helps to explain the relationship between sequence, structure and function of XIST, the key RNA molecule that regulates X chromosome inactivation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Siu focused his research on phosphorus chemistry. He synthesized compounds of varying sizes, both big and small. Some of these compounds are highly reactive, others are not. His investigation helps to broaden the field of phosphorus chemistry and could potentially lead to unique materials and catalysts. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Debugging computer-chip defects consumes more than 50% of the chip design process. To address this problem, Dr. De Paula defined a formal framework called BackSpace, which methodically and correctly extracts information from chips. His experiments show that BackSpace is successful in practice and is promising to contribute significantly to the computer industry. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Heine conducted research into stem cells and the way blood vessels regenerate. She implanted a device, similar to a petri dish, which allows the study of cells within the living body. Her work revealed that there are subtle and complex relationships between cells under different conditions. The findings will contribute to advancements in stem cell research. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Svensson studied how Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium that causes food poisoning, adapts to stressful conditions. She discovered that Campylobacter forms stress-tolerant communities called biofilms, and two particular genes allow it to sense and respond to environmental challenges. This work will help control C. jejuni in the food chain. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Shi conducted research in the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He developed a number of filters for next-generation, on-chip applications. His innovations are expected to revolutionize computation and communication technologies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Barha found that certain estrogen replacement therapies alleviated age-associated cognitive decline and stimulated production of new brain cells in older female rats. The effects were dependent on factors such as the type of estrogen and previous reproductive experience. Results indicate that hormone replacement therapy for women should be individually tailored. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Jull examined the impact of a training program designed to teach community recreation instructors to support children with autism who were learning to swim. Results indicated that staff learned key instructional skills and the children's swimming skills improved as a result. | Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Sussmann assessed the planning process and sustainability outcomes of Vancouver's Southeast False Creek neighbourhood. Her study highlights the need for scientifically credible measures of sustainability in urban planning. She also shows how sustainability perspectives of central actors in a planning process influence its outcomes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Soliman showed how the proteins Rho A and Rho kinase are over-activated in the diabetic hearts of animals, and how this contributes to diabetes-related damage of the heart. This research highlights the Rho A/Rho kinase pathway as a novel therapeutic target for treating diabetic heart disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Bare used organic synthesis to study fundamental structural and functional roles of the chromosome ends, the telomeres. Phosphate forming reactions were developed to construct a molecule that could mimic telomere drug interactions. The resulting discoveries may be useful for chemists designing new anticancer therapeutics or studying DNA structure. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Oates studied the uses of Information Communications Technology, or ICT tools, by school teachers in post-conflict northern Uganda. Her study in the district of Gulu identified conditions that either enable or inhibit the successful use of digital tools for language and literacy. Her recommendations include a proposed design for using ICT for teacher education. | Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Das's research focussed on ways to improve computer devices, especially a chip known as a Field-Programmable Gate Array, or FPGA. An FPGA has a number of properties, and this study aimed to help manufacturers explore those properties quickly. The findings will assist manufacturers to make the FPGA chip smaller, so that it operates more quickly and consumes less power, resulting in less expensive computers. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Zhdanovich studied ways in which atoms and molecules are controlled by light. In his experimental work he developed robust and effective control methods using ultra-short laser pulses. These methods can be used to study collisions between molecules, enable control of chemical reactions and assist in understanding behaviour of chaotic systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Cheung developed computer methods to describe the properties of genes, diseases and drugs in quantitative profiles. In performing billions of computer comparisons, his methods for comparing profiles from different topics reveals new associations between genes and diseases, and new disease applications for existing drugs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Kannangara used mice to study how new memories can be formed in the brain. He specifically examined how a protein, called the NMDA receptor, is involved in the way brain cells grow and communicate with each other. This work assists us in understanding how learning and memory is accomplished in the brains of all animals. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Harrison explored the origins and development of stage fighting in Canada. He examined how the British and American influences in the art of stage combat affected Canadian theatrical violence, and how fight directors have developed as professional artists since the inception of Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival. | Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Gill investigated the existence of Axion-like particles, that are strong contenders for the dark matter in our Universe. He developed a novel method for measuring the mass of these particles by studying their signature in the light observed from strongly magnetized stars. | Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Stanev developed a theoretical framework for decision making, together with guidelines that provide important considerations for deciding on clinical trial conduct. These considerations include principles addressing the complexity of interpreting and evaluating interim decisions, based on epistemic and ethical factors, e.g. health, intervention, efficacy, and harm. | Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (PhD) |
| 2012 | Metals create disturbances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI. Dr. Hoff exploited the physics of the MRI signal to obtain medical images that are free of the aberrations typically found in images taken near metallic implants in patients. These innovations will result in faster imaging of tissue surrounding implanted screws and joint prostheses. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Sze studied the ways in which Chinese people in early medieval times understood and built Buddhist stûpas, the monuments housing sacred relics. She found they did not adopt the unique symbolic meanings narrated in Buddhist scriptures, but considered them to be just like other Buddhist buildings, and often linked them with political dignitaries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Asian Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Lam investigated new materials and component structures for a low emission energy conversion device known as a fuel cell. He also contributed to the understanding of reaction mechanisms occurring within the fuel cell. His findings will help guide future fuel cell developments, and reduce fuel cell system costs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |