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. Randhawa showed that brain stimulation at 5 Hz is beneficial, at least in the short-term, in people with Parkinson Disease. Brain stimulation improved accuracy, handwriting and brain activity in people suffering from Parkinson Disease. This thesis contributes to future research for the development of brain stimulation as a therapeutic option for Parkinson Disease patients. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Philpot studied character perception in four children's novels. His conceptual model and descriptive catalogue of narrative structures offer teachers and students in elementary grades resources for exploring the perceptual and psychological experiences of fictional children. | Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Liu researched the development of architecturally complex photosensitive pigments. He investigated the optical properties of these photosensitizers and discussed the structure-optical relation of these pigments. This work may lead to the development of new anti-cancer drugs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Saunders developed a non-contact optical diagnostic technique to analyze gas composition in reacting flows. Using this technique it was possible to observe the gaseous reactions of methane/steam reformation at high temperatures. The tools that Dr. Saunders has developed have applications in solid oxide fuel cell research and development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Shoai studied the mechanism of carbon-sulfur bond formation using a rhodium-based catalyst system. The products formed by this catalyst are biologically relevant as potential drug targets for pharmaceutical applications. Dr. Shoai's research lays the foundation for future studies and applications of this catalytic system. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Jones developed and implemented an ecological mapping methodology, resulting in unprecedented collection of structural and forest species information for the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The detail and accuracy of resulting maps are critical to addressing pressing environmental concerns, including quantification of rare Garry oak habitat. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Shoemaker developed a new body-centered approach to human computer interaction for use with very large wall displays. Novel interaction techniques make use of virtual body shadows, the sense of proprioception, and social conventions. Experiments produced theoretical models of pointing performance applicable to these devices. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Schutz examined the potential of ketone bodies, an energy substrate alternative to glucose, to protect the developing brain from injury during hypoglycemia. These studies help us in designing better and preemptive treatment strategies for children at risk of repeated episodes of hypoglycemia. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Kulic identified RBPJ as a protein that is able to suppress tumor growth. This research shows that RBPJ is inappropriately absent in breast cancer and other cancer types and that loss of this protein aids cancer growth by increasing survival of tumor cells. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Gao demonstrated the importance of a protein degradation pathway in the replication process of a virus. Blocking this pathway can decrease inflammation of the heart muscle caused by viral infection in mice. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Seraj studied the use of water jets for cooling metal plates. In large industrial-scale experiments, he investigated the effect of parameters like jet velocity and number of jets on cooling efficiency. Many numerical models of jet flow conditions were conducted to find suitable turbulent models for industrial water jets. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Cannon examined resource management and access disparities between desktop applications and web applications.He developed new approaches that minimize technical differences between desktop and web applications, allowing developers to base their choice of application on personal preference rather than technical restrictions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Mukherjee analyzed the transition of credit institutions from a communal norm-based informal system to a law-based formal system. This study used archival data from early modern England and colonial India to illustrate that geographical mobility plays an important role in this process. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Donkersloot studied gender disparities in the social and spatial mobility of rural youth in an Irish fishing town. Her research focuses on the gendered dimensions of rural youth experience and highlights how the gendered nature of rural space and place differentially shapes young people's attitudes towards home, education and migration. | Doctor of Philosophy in Anthropology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Lachapelle showed that the health benefits associated with walking more frequently are accrued by all transit users, whether transit use is a lifestyle choice, or a consequence of not owning a car. Considering walking in public transportation planning may improve population health, enhance access, and strengthen transit infrastructure delivery. | Doctor of Philosophy in Planning (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Rahmani has successfully designed and completed a research project delineating a clinically relevant delivery system for Stratifin in the management of post-burn and post-surgical hypertrophic scarring. The potential clinical applicability of her research is extensive given the personal, social, and financial consequences of burn injuries. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Rakamaric developed software analysis techniques and tools aimed to improve software reliability. His contributions are automated, scalable, and precise methods for finding bugs in complex software, such as the Windows or Linux operating systems. His prototype implementation found critical bugs in Windows code. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Azadi developed three novel controller design methods that can significantly improve the performance of control systems. He showed that these methods outperform the conventional controller design methods in various industrial and academic control systems. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Byrne developed a spatial model to predict the uprooting or breaking of individual trees by wind. The model characterizes windthrow dynamics where the loss of trees changes the stability of their surviving neighbours. This was accomplished by using spatial tree lists which can be modified to reflect forest management treatments. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Osborne's thesis work showed that blocking a single pathway induced by interleukin-7, a critical T cell growth factor, allowed T cells to develop, mature, and clear a bacterial infection, but prevented T cell tumor growth. This work will impact the design of IL-7-related cancer therapies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Sedo examined a small Northern Chinese county during the Ming period to provide a new regional alternative to the dominant 'Jiangnan Model' of Late Imperial Chinese studies. In doing so, he provides a new local vantage point to rethink the deeply regional character of the composite Ming realm. | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Marechal investigated the deformation mechanisms of one grade of stainless steel. His experiments clarified the link between mechanical properties and controlled parameters such as grain size, microstructure, deformation state. Finally, his results were used to conceive better model of constitutive laws, a tool widely used in any forming operations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Xie investigated the immunology and genetic basis of preeclampsia. Translational and clinical applications include evaluation of chronic infection and immune mechanisms in the different onset disorder, and examination of genetic variations that may increase disease susceptibility. Her work has potential clinical implication and aid identification of novel therapeutic targets. | Doctor of Philosophy in Reproductive and Developmental Sciences (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Pfrommer studied dynamics in the sodium layer, located in the mesosphere, to improve next-generation astronomical telescope designs, in particular adaptive optics instrumentation. Additionally, he examined turbulence in the ground layer of the atmosphere at various existing and potential astronomical sites, including the Canadian High Arctic. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Chan examined the molecular mechanisms by which the human pathogens Campylobacter jejuni and uropathogenic E. coli acquire iron, an essential nutrient. This research reveals how these organisms persist within an iron-limited host environment and provide potential avenues for therapeutic development. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |