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 | NID |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Dr. Hanna investigated genetic and environmental risk factors for recurrent miscarriages in women. She found that elevated risk of recurrent miscarriage is associated with markers of accelerated aging and stress. This work has helped elucidate some of the complexity of this condition and provided a basis for future research. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. McKenzie used population genetic techniques and breeding experiments to describe the factors that help keep two subspecies of killifish distinct. She found that the two subspecies rarely mate in the lab, and that hybrid offspring are rare in nature. This research provides insights into factors maintaining and promoting the evolution of species. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Lam studied how plants make the waxy layer on their surface that serves to protect them against water loss, UV light, pathogens and insects. Her research has uncovered a novel mechanism for how plants regulate the genes required to synthesize this waxy layer. These results may have broad implications in agriculture and plant biotechnology. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Chang assessed a group of similar paintings produced in 16th-to-18th century China. She proved that they visualize many upper- and middle-class people's changing and diverse views of an ideal society. Her study establishes the art-historical value of the paintings, and argues for copying as a form of improvised new creation rather than mere imitation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Art History (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Sun completed his research on ways to make organic compounds more efficiently. His studies focussed on developing new methods to generate novel molecules that are important in the pharmaceutical and material industries. His research has the potential to benefit scientists who are developing more effective drugs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Lo's grounded theory study provides insights into the dynamic labelling process among gifted children with learning and behavioural challenges. His findings suggest that it is the interplay of labelling practice, individual agency, contextual factors and developmental considerations that leads those students to identify their own learning needs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Guo studied the internal heat generation and thermal properties of wood pellets. Based on experimental results, she developed a mathematical model to simulate the temperature developing process and auto ignition during long term storage. This research provides guidance for prevention of spontaneous combustion in commercial wood pellet silos. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Earp studied the genetics of ovarian cancer risk and the genetics of the variation in menopause age, two complex human traits that impact women's health. It is hoped that an improved understanding of the heritable genetics of these traits will lead to improved treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Guest studied the causes of nerve cell death. He developed a new method which contributes to understanding the molecular events involved in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. His findings will contribute to the development of new treatments for these diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Barton asked the complex question: "Should the U.S. and others open their economies to importation of Brazilian ethanol, and what would be the impact on the Brazilian economy, ecosystems and people?" His three studies discovered that increased production could be positive for Brazil if existing legislation is enforced and education improves. | Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Studies in Land and Food Systems (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Jafarnejad conducted research into the human cancer, melanoma. His work revealed that the biological pathway downstream of the gene Sox4 is abnormal in cancer cells, and that plays an important role in the development of melanoma. These findings can lead toward the invention of new treatments for this disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Atcheson designed a digital system for recording real-world gas flows, such as vapour trails, using ordinary, consumer-grade cameras. The techniques developed to calibrate the cameras have proven useful in other computer graphics applications. This research advances the state of the art in capturing fluid motion for the visual effects industry. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Haj Ghanbari examined muscle atrophy, pain and physical activity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Her research provides evidence that some muscles are more affected by this disease, and secondly, pain is very common and often limits physical activities in people affected by this chronic respiratory condition. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Rashid studied the vulnerability of software programs to intermittent hardware faults that impact processors, due to manufacturing defects and extreme operating conditions. She subsequently analyzed and built techniques to diagnose and reconfigure the fault-prone component of the processor. Her work improves the reliability of future processors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Timmers' research concerns probability theory and the physics of phase transitions such as transitions from liquid to gas. He developed a new method for proving the existence of phase transitions for systems of interacting particles. His research contributes to the field of statistical mechanics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Li studied ways the fish populations in the Strait of Georgia were affected by harbour seals, the impact of invasive species, and zooplankton. She found that changes in any one of those species could lead to changes in many species through the food webs in the ecosystem. Therefore, ecosystem-based management is highly recommended. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Yamane used ultrasound imaging to test whether certain consonants in Japanese that were thought to vary in their production actually have a specific tongue position. Her study revealed that speakers use individualized tongue postures to make these sounds. This research illuminates a hidden contrast in how speakers distinguish sounds in language. . | Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Kong developed an indirect method to search for exotic particle emissions in nuclear decays. This unique method is independent of a particle's lifetime and allows us to detect any particle emission. His work successfully demonstrated a 3% momentum resolution, which is essential for detecting exotic particles emitted with very small probabilities. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Sinclair developed a critical methodology to understand Anishinaabeg narratives from past to present. He used principles derived from the Anishinaabeg clan system. His work suggests that Anishinaabeg creative and critical expressions are political and intellectual practices, in which culture and nationhood are defined, initiated, and sustained. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Neville explored debates over biofuels during fieldwork in eastern Africa. She found these fuels were only the latest flashpoint in a long history of conflicts between communities, governments, and corporations. She established a framework to explain cycles of control and resistance over these and other controversial global commodity markets. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Coleman studied photo-receptors, which are cells in the eye that detect light. He discovered a protein that transports lipids and is necessary for normal vision and photo-receptor structure. His research illuminates the function of an essential process common to all cell types and contributes to our knowledge of human neuro-degenerative diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Lauck studied changes in the quality of life of people with permanent defibrillators implanted for severe heart disease. Physical functioning, mental health, and social functioning improved over time, with significant gender differences. This work contributes to mounting evidence that health care must be delivered in a gender-specific manner. | Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Rasuli's study focussed on the function of shovels used in the mining industry. The results of his research contribute to the development of intelligent shovel excavation technology, including the study of diggability in surface mining, the monitoring of interactive forces during excavation, and enhanced safety and productivity during dump-truck loading. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. You invented a new method of ultrasound imaging based on micro-scale structures. This method demonstrated greatly improved image quality. Applications of this new ultrasound technique include miniaturized devices for the diagnosis of cancer and cardiac diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2013 | Dr. Matthews examined intellectual, literary, and scientific approaches to understanding nature in 19th-century Canada. She studied the language types and scientific systems that women used to describe the environment. Drawing on meteorology, botany, zoology and ornithology, Dr. Matthews rethinks both nature writing and women's writing in Canada. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |