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 studied various problems in the field of number theory. His work sheds light on statistical properties of random matrices, and provides an explanation for certain patterns that had been empirically observed in the integers represented by a quadratic form. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Chan investigated the enzymes from which sugar molecules in bacterial cells are built. Using a special type of technique known as an NMR spectroscopy, he discovered that these enzymes are very flexible, which is crucial for their catalytic functions. Dr. Chan's research into how enzymes work will assist in developing drugs for treatment of gastro-intestinal diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Lal explored how youth recently diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder develop resilience, that is the capacity to cope with adversity. Her research showed that participants restore, maintain and enhance their resilience through the types of stories they tell in relation to their illness and the types of activities in which they engage. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Martinuk investigated several strategies for promoting students' use of their everyday knowledge in university physics class. He also showed that rigidly structured problem solving strategies fail to activate students' conceptual knowledge in the intended way. This research will inform development of improved techniques for teaching university-level physics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Kumaran searched for ways to improve laser technology by pursuing research in the field of crystal growth. He showed that promising new materials could be created by growing laser crystals as thin films. His sapphire-based films are ideal for making compact and efficient lasers which have broad application, including materials processing and surgery. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Goodarznia conducted experimental research in the catalysis branch of Chemical and Biological Engineering. The results of his research unravelled some of the complexities in fuel production. His findings point to new pathways in the formation of oxygenates such as alcohol, and benefit the bio-fuel and petrochemical industries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Helmer developed algorithms for object recognition that combines information from images from multiple viewpoints and stereo vision. His work improves not only object localization in 2D images but also can infer 3D position as well, which is useful for many robotic applications requiring visual navigation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Mahsuli developed a new methodology, and a comprehensive computer program, for evaluating risk to buildings and infrastructure due to natural and manmade hazards. His research provides a rational basis to prioritize the buildings in a given region for retrofit, with the goal of reducing seismic risk. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Ferguson investigated the inconsistency between the claims that international human trafficking is wide spread in Canada and the small number of prosecutions that have taken place following a decade of anti-human trafficking enforcement. His research expands our collective knowledge and understanding of international human trafficking in Canada | Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Clark studied a school based intervention for elementary school students with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The year-long intervention encouraged teachers to develop ways to accommodate students by making the school environment fit the unique strengths and challenges of each student. She found the program may help students be more successful in school. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Ivanova studied 11th century Japanese women writers, and how their work was adapted in the 16th to 19th centuries. She found the images of those women were transformed as political contexts, readerships, and socio-cultural conditions changed. She demonstrated the role of genre and gender in the canonization of Japanese women's literature. | Doctor of Philosophy in Asian Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Peng investigated BC softwood torrefaction, a thermal treatment without air or oxygen at 200-300 o C. He developed a technology for the production of torrefied pellets, which have dense energy like coal. He identified conditions for making pellets economically, which contributes to research into cost-effective energy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Meola evaluated the contributions of German Jews within the German press over the period 1815-1848. Through actions and words, German Jews transformed local newspapers into public spaces, where they destabilized the status quo and strove for a society where they would be equal to German Christians. | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Silvia Vilches explored the consequences of the 2002 welfare reforms in BC for lone mothers by studying the everyday experiences of the women themselves. Her findings show deepening class and gender divisions and contribute to the global effort to understand how social citizenship is being reshaped through welfare reforms. | Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. So Alfaro discovered a novel function of the protein in the movement and proliferation of adult muscle stem cells. This research gives new insight to the mechanisms that are required for proper regeneration in cases of myodegenerative diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Coquinco created a novel microfluidic based model to study activity dependent neural circuitry formation. The insights obtained from this model further assists us in understanding brain development, learning and memory. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Cloutier studied the effect of electrochemical promotion on the electrochemical and chemical reforming of methanol for hydrogen production. She demonstrated that electrolysis may be achieved by using less-expensive, non-precious electrolyser anode materials and improved electrolyser performance. Her research may open new doors to the development of electrochemical technologies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Hamilton studied the relationship between the immune system and cancer. She identified a subpopulation of immune cells that promote tumour growth by preventing the rest of the immune system from detecting and destroying cancer cells. This research will enable the development of novel cancer therapies that promote anti-tumour immunity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Francis developed, through the construction of comprehensive mathematical models, a novel technology for the purification of biologically derived pharmaceuticals. These models were used to optimize and scale up the technology to make it applicable industrially where it has the potential to significantly improve productivity in pharmaceutical production. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Kam studied how a demonstrated neurotoxin influences the progression and neuropathology of familial adult-onset ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. She found that environmental agents contribute to disease onset and progression, resulting in more pronounced disease pathology. Her findings will help us find ways to prevent ALS in individuals at risk. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Sackville showed that storytelling is a powerful method for capturing everyday struggles with current language policies at a Canadian post-secondary institute. For her, dialogue is central to educational leadership, and her dialogic exercises will be useful tools for the reconstruction of language practices that are more equitable and humane. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Beare investigated ways to foster positive youth development through a combined theatre education and social and emotional learning program. He examined the developmental stages of secondary theatre students who co-created plays based on the topic of safe and caring schools. His findings will enrich existing literature on this important issue. | Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Timbers used the nematode C. elegans to identify genes critical for short- and long-term memory and showed where in the nervous system this memory is stored. This work adds to our knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie learning and memory. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. McDonough used micro-CT imaging to examine the airways in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. By discovering that the terminal bronchioles are extensively narrowed and reduced in number before the onset of emphysema, this research shows that small airways obstruction precedes emphysematous destruction in this disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Morin used new techniques to analyze the mineralogy of artifacts from across British Columbia, especially those made of jade. He used this information to identify pre-contact patterns of First Nations trading relationships, and the social role of these tools. | Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (PhD) |