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. Banack explored the influence of religion upon Alberta's political development. This study demonstrated an important link between an individualistic and democratic version of Christian-based thought, initially espoused by formative political leaders, and the populist and anti-statist sentiments that set Alberta apart from other provinces. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Nyssa Temmel investigated the genomics of gender regulation and the genes involved in unisexual flower development in Populus trichocarpa. She discovered novel, gender biased gene expression for nine genes involved in flower development, and investigated gender biased gene expression in the Poplar genome. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Cook studied problems in number theory. He showed the existence of certain types of algebraic regularity in prime numbers. The results add a deeper understanding of the structure of prime numbers, particularly the additive structure. This work builds on recent major advances and has wide application in the field of mathematics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Li identified and developed new PET imaging agents based on aryltrifluoroborates. Her work provides new understanding for the preparation and labelling of these compounds. The expansion and further elaboration of this new imaging technique is significant to the development of fluorine-18 labelling methods for use in PET imaging. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. McElroy studied the impact of war and displacement on early childhood in northern Uganda. Her research illuminates the disruption of traditional strategies for protecting and nurturing children, leaving them exposed to developmental risk even during resettlement. Findings highlight needed interventions for vulnerable infants and young children. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Peyton examined a series of resource development conflicts in the Stikine watershed in northwest BC, a region that is currently the site of intense mining exploration and controversy over energy projects. He situated the current conflicts against the legacies of previous megaprojects -- both failed and realized -- to understand their social and environmental side effects, as well as their legacies for future development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Lo has identified CXCR3 as a key growth factor for basal cell carcinoma skin cancer. The finding may lead to the development of new drug treatments as an alternative to surgical excision. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Dalal investigated the secretion of proteins and ions across the cell membrane of bacteria. He showed that twin copies of a specialized membrane channel, termed SecY, are likely the functional unit of this basic and essential process that is common to all living cells. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Cotton explored the field of epigenetics, which studies how genes are silenced without direct DNA changes. Her research used the naturally silenced female X chromosome to understand normal patterns of gene silencing. Epigenetic research provides insight into diseases resulting from incorrect gene expression without DNA mutations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Billy-Minnabarriet examined how an Aboriginal Public Institution achieves self-determination through its leadership and programs. This research articulated how Indigenous leadership takes an anti-hegemonic stance to confront forms of hegemonic control. Indigenous teachings are sustained and shared with others through this transformative process. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Simmonds studied the ranking of secondary schools in British Columbia from 1998 to 2010. Using critical discourse analysis, he examined how the school-ranking rubric-shaped public and media discourses on schools, and the accountability regime that emerged in the process. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Leung discovered novel epigenetic pathways employed by mouse embryonic stem cells to silence endogenous retroviruses. His findings have elucidated how stem cells repress parasitic elements in the genome and have significant implications in potential cancer treatments. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Oabel examined the restructuring of the sugar industry and its effects on workers in a labour market in the central Philippines. Although economic change has intensified existing social inequalities, he found it also afforded workers the opportunity to both sustain and improve their lives through new livelihood strategies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Jiang developed techniques for modeling large systems with multiple self-interested parties and designed efficient algorithms for predicting the likely outcomes of such models. He implemented software packages that have allowed researchers to do computational analysis of real-world systems such as auctions for search-engine keywords. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Sallam investigated why certain blood vessels are more prone than others to develop diabetic complications, which reslut in higher morbidity and mortality rates. Understanding vascular heterogeneity will open new venues for developing therapies that target specific vascular beds with minimal systemic side effects. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Li applied and developed bioinformatic methods to find new therapeutic uses for existing drugs. By modeling interactions between known drug targets and approved drugs, she identified novel potential for existing drugs in breast cancer and inflammatory diseases. This research helps find drug candidates that could be fast-tracked for clinical use and approval. | Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. McIvor studied Indigenous adult language learning through an extensive self-study of one learner's experience. Her research illuminates the possibilities for adult learners to make a more central contribution to the efforts of Indigenous language loss and recovery. | Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Waeber developed a decision-support system for forest management planning in the Champagne and Aishihik Traditional Territory, southwest Yukon. This tool allows forest managers to assess different strategies and tactics under climate change and natural disturbances such as beetle infestation or fire, thereby making better-informed, long-term management decisions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Weihmann is a geneticist who discovered two genes contributing to the natural defence of plants towards disease. She intends to use this knowledge for the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices over current approaches with pesticide intense methods. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Bayaki designed and evaluated the performance of novel free-space optical (FSO) telecommunication systems. With the increasing demand for applications in need of high data rates, Dr. Bayaki's research will contribute to the next generation of communication systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Clarke Murray investigated recreational boats as a source of marine invasive species and found significant potential for initial introduction and regional spread of these species by the recreational fleet. This research will assist in the development of monitoring and management measures to prevent future invasions and protect biodiversity. | Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Mickleborough studied visual attention in people who get migraine headaches. She found that migraine sufferers are less able to ignore distracting visual information. Her work suggests the abnormality arises due to heightened sensitivity in the visual cortex. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Liu studied the resurgence of the popular woodblock printing industry in China dating back to the 1980s. In challenging folk art discourses that relegate Chinese printmaking traditions to the past, Dr. Liu examines the prints in their lived contexts, as tied to ritual practices, lineage identities, and livelihood. | Doctor of Philosophy in Art History (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Machtaler studied connexin 43, a protein which normally moves material from one cell to another. He was able to establish for the first time that connexin 43 affects the shape and movement of cells of the immune system known as B lymphocytes. His findings contribute to the understanding of immune system function and tumour biology. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Dempsey studied the ways ecosystems and biodiversity are becoming increasingly entangled with economic logics and practices. She traced the resulting ethical, scientific, and political issues and argues that the changes are creating a new form of nature that is enterprising, one that can compete in the marketplace and within modern state governance. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |