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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Dr. Carvajal developed a model for calculating the seismic response of Integral Abutment bridges which do not have expansion joints. He considered factors not usually included in design, and revealed that current calculations may underestimate the effect of earthquakes. His model is easily implemented, and has great significance for bridge design. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Liang investigated several beamforming schemes for Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and relaying wireless communication systems. His proposed schemes may find application in several current or upcoming wireless communication standards. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Johannsdottir's study in the field of semantics focussed on constructions called the progressive, in both Icelandic and English. The rarely studied Icelandic constructions are both similar and dissimilar to that of the well-studied English progressive. The research surfaced interesting puzzles, and provided possible solutions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Yang studied a group of proteins that are modified with palmitate, a common saturated lipid in animals. He investigated the functions of these proteins in neural development and pathological brain disease. By identifying a new mechanism controlling brain cell death, he developed therapeutic drugs targeting a palmitate-modified protein to protect the brain during stroke. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. O examined the effects of caribou grazing and trampling on Arctic plant communities. She found that although the effects of grazing were not easily detected, migratory trails that have been used by caribou for thousands of years were distinctly different than the surrounding areas, indicating some habitats may be resistant to change, and once altered, they may not readily recover. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Duncan studied essential dimension, an important invariant of algebraic objects. His work sheds light on classical problems in algebra including the Noether problem, inverse Galois theory and Hilbert's thirteenth problem. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Johnson explored the educational supports and barriers experienced by urban Indigenous children in BC's provincial child protection system. She developed an Indigenous educational model to wrap around their Western and Indigenous educational needs. This research illuminates transformative Indigenous education and Indigenous self determination. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Zhang developed statistical methods and Bioconductor software packages for analysing high-throughput sequencing data. | Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Jestley studied images voice teachers use to help students sing, such as visualizing the air they use as a flowing river. She identified three different approaches teachers used and established systematic frameworks for them. These should help the vocal community consciously and explicitly describe metaphors they often use unconsciously and implicitly. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Leung researched ways to help older adults learn to use smartphones and other mobile devices. Specifically, he investigated three novel user-interface-design approaches, showing how each approach can benefit older adults. This work helps researchers and developers design learnable mobile devices for older adults, increasing chances of technology adoption. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. David studied T-type calcium channel proteins which are present in the developing heart. These proteins are absent in normal adult hearts, but re-appear in diseased hearts. Dr. David found they have distinct properties, and his research has the potential to explain their role in the development of the heart and the progression of heart disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Sahami developed a methodology to quantitatively analyze driving behavior and learning patterns in a simulator. A model was developed based on the learning curve concept. This model showed how individuals learn to drive and how the validity of future experimental research in any driving simulator can be improved. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. McIntosh explored museum educators' perspectives' of their practice of teaching other educators to teach in informal learning settings. Her study revealed insights into their beliefs regarding practice, generated new understandings about teaching in museums and tensions inherent in practice, and provided direction for professional development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Eliason Parsons discovered that Fraser River sockeye salmon populations are adapted to cope with their specific upriver migration conditions. This research suggests that some sockeye salmon populations may be more susceptible to climate change, raising conservation concerns. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Paul examined how some recent changes in the Indian economy have affected the most vulnerable sections. The welfare effect of tariff reform is pro-poor in rural areas and pro-rich in urban areas. The historically disadvantaged castes groups have fared well in education and employment. Diet pattern has been changed leading to lower nutritional intake except for fat. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Erlebach studied immigrants who are doing well with integration into Canadian society. Previous achievements, personality, home culture, positive regard by Canadians and connecting with other immigrants were factors in their success. She concluded that helping immigrants to explore these factors, not just focus on problems, will help them adapt. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Blanco developed approaches to improve the performance and durability of hydrogen fuel cells. This clean energy system has the potential to produce energy without negatively affecting the environment. These systems need further improvement to be commercialized, but the findings can help the fuel cell industry to achieve improved performance. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Forysinski built a new spectrometer for the detailed studies of atmospherically relevant molecules and aerosol particles. He investigated the vibrational dynamics of acetic acid and difluoromethane cations, and obtained promising results toward the development of a novel particle sizer for the smallest and most weakly bound of aerosol particles. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Wong investigated the role of a protein called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in the thickening of blood vessels, particularly in heart transplants. His research highlighted the abnormal presence of VEGF in human disease, showed its effect on cholesterol accumulation, and explored potential treatments targeting this protein. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Gill studied a mathematical process which could be used to model the aggregate motion of a large number of randomly branching particles which also move randomly. His research could model, for example, a population of oceanic plankton during an algal bloom. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Chen examined the challenges facing the adoption of sustainable forest management and forest certification in China. Her work is contributing to a better understanding of how different groups of stakeholders are responding to these challenges and is providing guidance in this rapidly changing area of forest policy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Bhargava characterized a protein for its novel role in regulating secondary cell wall formation in a model plant, Arabidopsis. The outcome of his research will contribute to the improvement of ligno-cellulosic material, the source from plant cell walls, required for biofuel development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Barker examined the role that symbiotic fungi have in facilitating natural forest regeneration after wildfire in interior forests. His results indicated that sufficient resiliency in the fungal community exists to survive losses caused by fire. The research also highlights the importance of conservation of soil organic matter in forests. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Pemberton analyzed the relevance of Michel Foucault's work to contemporary prisons in the UK and US. Her research showed that recent criminal justice policies have increased inequality. She also identified the gendered and racialized biases in these criminal justice systems that were overlooked by Foucault. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Bessette investigated the role of a protein tyrosine phosphatase in regulating cell signaling and prostate cancer. He found that expression of this protein promoted prostate cancer and may be a valuable biomarker for prostate cancer aggressiveness. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |