Doctoral Citations

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. 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. Hashmi developed algorithms for resource allocation in next generation wireless technologies such as cognitive radio and cooperative networks. He developed a contract theory-based approach to design a relay selection scheme in presence of asymmetric information in wireless networks. This research illuminates the role of advanced algorithms to improve efficiency of emerging wireless networks Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (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)
2013 Dr. Anupam Singhal developed technology to discover new antibody proteins for both basic research and therapeutic applications. The technology allows the selection of hundreds of new antibodies in a few days. Future technological refinements should facilitate the discovery of therapeutics for cancer, arthritis, as well as bacterial and viral infections. Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD)
2013 Dr. Gibb's research was in the field of adult education policy studies. She analyzed the policies that regulate the English language assessment of new immigrants seeking entry into the professions in Canada. Her research will assist educators, policy makers, employers and professional regulatory bodies to develop policy and educational practices. Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)
2013 Dr. Li studied the initial stages of paper sheet formation. She developed a numerical method for simulating paper formation at the level of individual pulp fibres, and obtained the first paper surface map using a micro-CT scanner and image analysis. Her work will help paper mills and the manufacturers of paper machines to improve the quality of paper. Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD)
2013 Dr. Kang identified two new ways to increase HDL cholesterol. HDL is known as good cholesterol, and research has shown that increasing good cholesterol can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Increasing good cholesterol in these two ways represents new strategies to treat these diseases. Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD)
2013 Dr. Apel studied a bacterium called Campylobacter jejuni, which causes severe food poisoning. By exploring the ways in which the bacterium senses and responds to different environmental conditions, his research provided key insights into how this prevalent pathogen survives inside animal hosts and causes disease in humans. Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD)
2013 Dr. Rivera's work focussed on treatments for chronic pain. He examined the pharmacological properties of local anesthetics on pain sensors. Using various methods, he established a model for the regulation of the sensors by these pain blocking compounds. His work provides a foundation for new approaches to selectively target and treat chronic pain. Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD)
2013 Dr. AlSharidah developed an active method to improve the Standard Unintentional Islanding Test for electrical systems. A power switched inverter is used to replace the bulky capacitor and inductor banks. This method makes it more portable and efficient and easier to reproduce, in addition to reducing the size and cost of the standard islanding test., Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2013 Dr. Harinath studied control and optimization strategies for industrial processes to minimize energy consumption while maintaining or improving product quality. He developed a process optimization algorithm and applied it to a Thermo-Mechanical Pulping process resulting in a reduction of more than 10% in energy consumption. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2013 Dr. Young investigated reproductive processes at the cellular level. Her work involved the development of a technique that prevents sperm cells from reaching maturation. This research contributes to our understanding of cell to cell interactions in general and may provide insight into certain types of male infertility. Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD)
2013 Dr. Goyal developed accurate models and scalable algorithms for social influence analysis. This research assists us in understanding the flow of information in online social networks like Facebook and Twitter, in addition to improving applications like viral marketing and recommender systems. Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD)
2013 Dr. Dahabieh's work in the Sadowski laboratory focused on studying how the genes of the HIV virus are regulated. He also developed new technologies to examine the ways in which HIV gene regulation promotes viral persistence. Such technologies are vital to identifying novel therapies that may be used in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD)
2013 Dr. Sullivan explored ways in which queer students engage with the UBC campus. She created a mapping method to reveal how these students use spatial cues to identify where they might encounter homophobia, transphobia and the privileging of heterosexuality. This research shows that queer students identify risky spaces and create queer spaces on campus. Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (PhD)
2013 Dr. Tham's research identified the processes involved in establishing certain aspects of the structure of the kidney and of the brain. His findings may lead to the discovery of novel treatments for some diseases, including the abnormal accumulation of water in the brain tissue that may occur following a stroke. Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD)
2013 Dr. Diab explored debates about security after September 11. His findings highlight a gap between arguments in favour of extraordinary measures and evidence about the nature of outstanding threats. He concluded that while serious risks remain, a better understanding of those risks will help us to preserve core rights in times of fear. Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD)
2013 Dr. Rasmussen completed a regional study of granitic rocks in eastern Yukon and the southwestern Northwest Territories. Her dissertation provides new information on the age, distribution, and origin of these economically important rocks. This synthesis benefits those studying and searching for metals in the Canadian Cordillera. Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD)
2013 Dr. Lu's work focussed on methods to detect copied images and protect copyright. He developed novel approaches for image hashing and content-based fingerprinting .This research contributes significantly to information indexing, retrieval, forensics and security of advanced multimedia. Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)
2013 Dr. Elisia examined the effects of different types of vitamin E on the risk of intestinal inflammation in infants. She discovered that the type of vitamin E present in vegetable oil and infant formula is associated with more inflammation than the vitamin E dominant in human milk. These findings will contribute to research into infant health and feeding. Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD)