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. Mohammadnia worked on the next generation wireless networks. He proposed new formulas to evaluate the performance of such systems. He also introduced new techniques to increase the data rate and reliability of these systems. The results of his research can be used in cell-phone networks for a better user experience. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Olmstead discovered new therapeutic targets and agents for inhibiting the hepatitis c virus, one of the leading causes of liver cancer and liver transplantation worldwide. The identified targets control human lipid metabolism pathways essential for the virus life cycle. Her findings may lead to the development of new antiviral drugs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Brayshaw studied the frequencies and magnitudes of flooding and sediment transport in mountain streams. He found that these streams are responding to deglaciation and intermittent sediment supply by downcutting into glacial sediments. Therefore, these streams transport sediment frequently even though flooding is rare. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Taghavi experimentally, computationally, and analytically studied the phenomenon of pushing a fluid by a heavier one inside an inclined duct. He classified various possibilities and developed models for these flows. The many applications include flows that occur during the construction of oil and gas wells, and in processing industries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Zeeb developed a rodent behavioural task, called the Rat Gambling Task. This test provides insight into how the brain contributes to decision making processes. Her findings improve our understanding of decision-making deficits present in patients with psychiatric disorders. The Rat Gambling Task has now been adopted by other research groups. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Astanehe studied the molecular mechanisms involved in breast cancer pathology and chemotherapy resistance. His studiescontribute to describing breast cancer disease processes. He has also identified novel therapeutic targets to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer pathology with poor prognoses. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. McLaughlin examined how endocannabinoids in the prefrontal cortex coordinate coping responses to acute and chronic stress. He found that endocannabinoids in this brain region promote recovery following exposure to stress and that maintaining endocannabinoid tone may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to treat stress-related illnesses. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Li studied dynamic analysis approaches for traditional Graphical User Interface editors.He first identified two major defects of traditional GUI editors. Then he augmented static analysis with dynamic analysis approaches to solve the two major defects. Finally, Dr. Li evaluated the dynamic analysis approaches and proved improvements for traditional GUI editors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Clarke investigated the concept of belief, one of the basic ways in which the mind interacts with the world around us. He developed a theoretical basis for the principle of positive thinking: whatever you truly believe about the future will come to pass. His research will be widely applicable to everything from psychotherapy to entrepreneurship. | Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Tadavarty has found that sleep-deprivation adversely affects synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. His observations enable a better understanding of the deficits associated with sleep loss. The identified changes in neurotransmission help in developing drug targets for ameliorating such effects. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Zardan studied the mechanism through which prostate cancer cells acquire the ability to survive the conventional cancer treatments. Through finding two new mechanisms that inhibit cancer cell survival, her research paved the way for development of new and more promising strategies to treat advanced stages of prostate cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Nolan investigated the lives, careers, and pedagogies of three eminent artist-teachers of saxophone that illustrate different paths to artistry in music performance and teaching. Her dissertation contributes to the burgeoning research in the pedagogy of music education and the intellectual heritage of mentors across generations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Peters conducted research with social workers which concluded that the use of structural social work theory in practice progresses through a series of six developmental and interactive stages. The framework that she developed has the potential to influence the way this theory is taught and to support social workers in the effective development of their practice. | Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Sun investigated the subcellular and molecular events in cells infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis. His research on specific mycobacterial proteins involved in interfering with the host immune system contributes to the development of potential therapeutics and vaccines against tuberculosis. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Jiang investigated structures and functions of the gelsolin superfamily of actin-regulatory proteins. Using X-ray crystallography, he determined the structures of domains C2-C3 of CapG and of domain V6 of villin. His biochemical studies uncovered novel calcium-sensitive behaviours of CapG and gelsolin fragment G2-G3. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Liu demonstrated how outliers can affect the conclusions we make from our data, countering to a commonly held belief among researchers that outliers, although relevant, have little impact. Her studies demonstrated the impact of two types of outliers: errors in the data and unknown subgroups of respondents or participants. | Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Soltanzadeh studied the process of mixing wood pulp with water to discover whether it was possible to improve the performance of pulp mixers that are currently being used in industry. He developed a new mathematical model for mixer systems which adds to our understanding of micro-fluidics and has potential benefits for the pulp and paper industry. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Auluck studied human-papillo-maviral or HPV. He showed that incidence of HPV-related oral cancers have surpassed tobacco-related oral cancers among men in BC, particularly among South Asian men who chew tobacco. It is expected that this research will result in changes to screening methods, detection, treatment and management of oral cancers. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Doutre developed methods for correcting common problems that occur when capturing and displaying 3D videos. His contributions improve the picture quality of 3D videos viewed on displays such as home 3D-TV's and 3D projectors in theaters. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Ayinla developed early transition metal complexes such as zirconium complexes that serve as efficient catalysts for the preparation of molecules that contain nitrogen. She prepared molecules that contain nitrogen including amines which are common structural part of naturally occurring and biologically relevant compounds using methods that do not produce unwanted products. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Levin developed computer methods for observing the structure of a person's muscles and making computer animations using this information. These algorithms reveal the architecture of muscle using magnetic resonance imaging, and allow its simulation. His research has applications in areas ranging from medical science to computer graphics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Chiang developed new methods to study the way different parts of the brain and muscles interact during movement. She demonstrated that changes in interaction patterns are related to movement difficulties seen in Parkinson's disease patients. Her methods can be useful for assessing the progression of brain diseases and the effects of medication. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. M'Gonigle used theoretical models, namely mathematical analyses and computer simulations, to investigate the complexities of evolution among interacting species. His models cover diverse topics such as host-parasite co-evolution, sexual selection, and species formation. Findings will contribute to our understanding of genetics and how species evolve. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Dyer investigated the processes of learning mindfulness through dialogue in the mindfulness-based stress reduction group. She found that the internal actions of mindfulness were externally enacted through several relational projects. This research illuminates how mindfulness is learned and experienced relationally and contextually, with implications for counselling and teaching. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Kozoriz examined how gap junction proteins play a role in cellular damage. His work furthers our understanding of how these proteins can protect the brain during injury. | Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MDPhD) |