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. Cheng investigated cell migration which is crucial for normal growth and cancer development. She discovered novel mechanisms that co-ordinate key molecules regulating cell movement. Her research enhances our understanding of the complex signalling network governing cell motility and will help to identify novel targets for treating metastatic tumors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Ramirez-Espinosa conducted research into three judicial cases: Delgamuukw in Canada, Nibutani Dam in Japan and Zirahuen in Mexico. She concluded that in these three cases, the Indigenous plaintiffs' claims could not succeed due to issues of uncertainty in the law, lack of adequate remedies and the use of a concept of sovereignty that is outdated. | Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Rubio Gijon studied crime fiction films produced in Francoist Spain and Peronist Argentina from 1951 to 1955. He argues that by using the crime fiction genre, which helps to maintain the dominant ideology, the films oppose authoritarianism through narrative and formal strategies such as visual elements from film noir or Italian Neorealism. | Doctor of Philosophy in Hispanic Studies (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Poole studied the negotiations by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states which led to the adoption of their 2007 Charter. She argues that the positions of individual states on democracy and human rights are shaped by perceptions of legitimacy. This research helps us to understand the dynamics of politically diverse regions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Shafiei Sabet studied the preparation and properties of cellulose nanocrystal suspensions. Her work provided a deeper understanding of the structure formation and flow properties of this novel material, which resulted in the ntroduction of new applications in the food, medical, and pulp and paper industries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Beygi developed test models to assist Australian scientists developing biosensors. These biosensors have applications in medical diagnosis, and for detection of hazardous materials in the environment. Unlike earlier versions, the developed models have an analytical approach to optimize the design and analyze the performance of biosensors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Wang studied optics based on silicon chips, similar to those used for electronic integrated circuits. He developed various optical devices and circuits that allow us to control the propagation of light on a chip. This work is expected to have a broad range of applications, including optical communications and bio-sensing. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Yonson's work generated new metal catalysts for facilitating chemical reactions. These chemical reactions resulted in the formation of carbon-nitrogen or carbon-carbon bonds, which are fundamental to organic chemistry. This research will help inform further development of metal catalysts for use in chemical synthesis. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2014 | The 21st century marked a shift in the perspective of care for people with disabilities. Dr. Mousavi explored the views of Canadian occupational therapists on this Capabilities Approach. The study concluded that this approach could help to align rehabilitation services with human rights initiatives of the World Health Organization. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Tooke examined energy demand in the building sector. He developed a novel technique for mapping the thermal energy requirements of individual buildings using airborne laser scanning data. These energy maps provide a valuable planning resource when designing strategies to reduce the environment impact of buildings. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Arya studied problems in video copyright protection and quality assessment. To protect copyright, he developed novel image watermarking methods to make videos resistant to different types of attacks. His methods for video quality assessment can enhance the performance of multimedia networks and deliver high-quality content to the end users. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Forestieri studied the chemistry of therapeutic compounds found in nature. His achievements included the first synthesis of a new steroid to treat tuberculosis and discovery of a new natural product with potential anti-diabetic properties. These outcomes may enable more effective strategies to combat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and type 2 diabetes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Paudel studied the ecosystem in the boreal forest of the southwest Yukon. His research focussed on the impact of changing climate, fires and spruce bark beetle on tree regeneration, forest productivity and biodiversity in the region. His findings will support the work being done to manage this important ecosystem. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Tian studied collective responsibility and how political decisions affect our understanding of it. She argues that the deliberative model of democratic practice is more justifiable than the aggregative one. Deliberative democracy helps us exercise public reason, recognize the shared nature of collective decisions, and generate new collective actions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Zebardast completed his doctoral studies in the field of Materials Engineering. He developed an electrochemical sensor and a novel method to detect particulate fouling in the heat exchangers of high temperature-high pressure power plants. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Ng studied the factors that determine whether cancer cells live or die following the initial step of detaching from the primary tumor site and metastasizing to other organs. He found that tumor cells are in a state of stress and reduced energy levels during this process, and depend on mechanisms to overcome this stress to survive. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Sinpeng examined why ordinary people rose up against democracy. Her study of an anti-democratic political movement in Thailand showed that people may subvert the democratic system when they became marginalized. A major implication of her work is that democracy would be more stable if minority voices are respected. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Araghi-Rahi studied the influences of climate on productivity and soil carbon storage in forests across British Columbia. Precipitation and drought indices were the most influential climatic factors. This implies that future shifts in precipitation patterns, rather than temperature, will most affect the carbon dynamics of forests in the region. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Chapariha devised a method for fast and accurate modeling of generators and motors in electrical power systems. His models will transform many commercial simulation programs used worldwide, and enable faster evolution of the electrical grids into smart integrated and sustainable energy systems of the future. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Pattanayak studied the technologies used for removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater. He designed a method that combined biological and chemical treatments. His successful validation of the design will expand the scope of available wastewater treatment technologies, to meet the stringent water quality goals in many parts of the world. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Kashefian Naieni investigated the fabrication of small-scale structures using carbon nanotubes. He demonstrated the significance of previously neglected phenomena in creating micro-electronic devices from a solution. His research is a step forward in developing reliable methods for fabrication of devices such as sensors based on nano-particles. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Wlodarska examined the important role our intestinal microbes play in intestinal disease. She discovered that microbes regulate the intestinal mucus layer, a key component of human health, and identified a novel immune pathway controlling this mucus production. This knowledge is critical in developing new therapeutics for intestinal disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Choi completed her research in behavioural neuro-science, with a focus on substance abuse. She used a model of drug dependency to investigate plasticity in the brain and a neuro-biological substrate that contributes to the development of addiction. Her findings lead to the potential development of novel targets in the treatment of addiction. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Mansoor developed new manufacturing methods for inexpensive micro-needle devices. Micro-needles provide a pain-free alternative to traditional hypodermic needles for drug injection and for the extraction of compounds from the body for analysis. He also applied these microneedles to the assessment of drug transport in skin tissue. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2014 | Dr. Mundel studied two provincial health programs that intersect with BC's food movement. She demonstrated different strengths and limitations in the collaboration between provincial health institutions and grassroots actors in service of this movement's social, health and ecological goals. She also suggested ways to improve such collaboration. | Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (PhD) |