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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Deep in our coastal seas, ocean water moves, mixes, and transports heat and matter. The eventual fate of these properties supports, or sometimes impairs, the health of coastal ecosystems. Dr. Stevens investigated deep water pathways in Canada's seas, with implications for wastewater management and climate change mitigation strategies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Oceanography (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Can's research showed that stacking two thin sheets of superconducting materials with a twist leads to a novel quantum phase of matter, called a topological superconductor. This discovery also led to an original design of a superconducting qubit, a device that can be used for quantum information processing. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Carpentier developed a novel treatment planning technique for liver cancer patients receiving radiation therapy with real time tumour tracking. She created planning strategies and dose calculations that use the patient's anatomical information over their breathing cycle to ensure the organs near the tumour do not receive too much radiation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2024 | Mental health conditions are common but under-treated after concussions. Dr. Otamendi's research suggests that discussing with patients the role that mental health can have in complicating recovery could enhance their acceptability of mental health treatment, thereby contributing to optimal concussion recovery. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Vining studied how computers operate on geometry and shapes, and how geometric problems can be solved with discrete optimization algorithms. By combining numerical optimization techniques with combinatorial search frameworks, he devised new algorithms that solve challenging problems in simulation, computer graphics, and video games. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Chignell combined human and physical geography to analyze the relationships among biodiversity conservation, water, and the politics of environmental science in Ethiopia. His work demonstrates how disparate methods across the sciences and humanities can be brought together to produce new ways of understanding and responding to complex eco-social questions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (PhD) |
| 2024 | Guided by members of the Nuxalk Nation, Dr. Gavenus studied the ways fisheries governance can affect food justice. She found that the governance of First Nations fisheries imposed by the Canadian State contributes to multiple food injustices. These findings emphasize the importance of reassertions of Indigenous fisheries governance to food justice. | Doctor of Philosophy in Resources, Environment and Sustainability (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Wei used biochemical and biophysical approaches to investigate the biosynthetic enzymes employed in the assembly of nitrogen-containing natural product molecules, including ±-amino acids Piperazic Acid and Azaserine, and nitroimidazole antibiotic Azomycin. The elucidated novel pathways and key steps lead to strategies for medicinal treatment. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2024 | How do actors protect their wellbeing, nurture their creativity, and cultivate an ensemble so supportive it embraces its audience? Dr. Fogal studied the theatre training of her four primary mentors including her father Dean Fogal. Preserving their oral traditions through text and film, she illuminates the deeply relational nature of their techniques. | Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Kostandy examined a networked movement of Egyptian public school teachers on Facebook. Her research reveals teachers' material, moral and legal conditions. She proposes a framework to understand the notion of justice in the Global South. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Askari has developed a minimally invasive near-infrared spectroscopy sensor for spinal cord hemodynamic assessment in spinal cord injury patients. This innovative sensor aids in managing hemodynamics and has been successfully implemented and implanted. The sensor was able to provide the regional hemodynamic metrics of the spinal cord. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Chew examined how ethnic identity affects different types of political attitudes and behaviour in Myanmar and Singapore. She found that its effects are conditioned by institutions and the interests that they generate. Her findings have implications for policymaking in ethnically diverse societies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Iworima optimized differentiation protocols to produce stem cell-derived islets, offering a potential therapy for type 1 diabetes. She addressed manufacturing bottlenecks and identified key parameters associated with the generation of pancreatic cell types. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Ritschel studied the design of programming tools for end-users without previous coding experience. He investigated block-based programming languages and enriched them with visual features that help end-users write larger, more complex programs. His findings can guide the future development of more expressive end-user friendly programming tools. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Zhang studied mathematics problem-solving and self-regulated learning in young students participating in after-school robotics programs. He observed that these children approached problem-solving through iterative processes, engaging in experimentation, assessing their ideas, setting goals, and self-correcting their efforts toward finding solutions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Manuel's research proposed a literary theory centered in the land and in the relations-based practices of the Syilx Okanagan people. The theory imagines new and dynamic methods of engaging with Indigenous literature beyond its textual form to also include stories told through the land, the body, and through dreams. | Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Payne created a novel auto-classification process that leverages a record's context, not just its content, to improve classification accuracy. His research in artificial intelligence, context, and computational archival science, will help organizations around the world more effectively classify, organize and activate data and information. | Doctor of Philosophy in Library, Archival and Information Studies (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Possnig studied how algorithmic learning by firms affects prices. He showed what kinds of behaviours can be learned by competing algorithms, depending on the market and details of the algorithms. He used this approach to determine when and how collusive behaviours will emerge from algorithmic competition. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Whetung's research argues that practicing Nishnaabeg place-based relationships in everyday life contributes to building alternative worlds that both respond to violence, and actively create a new world in which violence is unimaginable. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Hardman listens to stories from Indigenizers applying Indigenous Storywork principles and her own Sto:lo teachings to understand deeply and interact with these stories. Storywork Listening shines light on six themes for Indigennizing. We learn that it is not easy but it is possible to Indigenize the Future: One Heart at a Time. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Hardman studied immunity to intestinal viruses. By contrasting related viral strains, subtle factors could be characterized which balance immunity between controlling infection and limiting inflammation. This work contributes to future vaccine efforts, and treatments for inflammatory disorders. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Dort studied the genetics and genomics of plant pathogens. She used comparative genomics to discover patterns of plant pathogenicity in fungi and established CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in an oomycete forest pathogen. Her research provides a foundation for future studies of forest pathogens and the improvement of disease surveillance strategies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Gupta investigated the rheology and flow dynamics of wormlike micellar gels. His experiments revealed previously unknown complex features in the flow of such fluids and will aid the synthesis, design and manipulation of similar soft matter. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Heaslip examined the unsolicited help receiving experiences of persons with visual impairments, targeting what is and isn't helpful during these interactions. The prominent themes identified were consent, assumptions, courtesy, consideration and respect. Findings were used to generate recommendations for navigating these complex interactions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2024 | Dr. Trainor explored elite athlete well-being. Her research demonstrates the critical role of sport culture and the high-performance environment in comprising athlete well-being. After interviewing Olympic and Paralympic athletes, she identified eight sport-specific components that make up athlete well-being, which can help support elite athletes. | Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD) |