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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Dr. Jeffries studied the effects of high water temperature and rapid aging on wild adult Pacific salmon, at a genome-wide scale. This research was the first to characterize the cellular changes involved in mortality in wild fish. The study has enhanced our understanding of the effects of future climate warming on Pacific salmon. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Ansari studied efficient ways of processing high-density polyethylenes, the most common plastic used in consumer goods. He researched the way the production process can be affected by altering their molecules. His findings lead to more cost-effective processing, and methods of producing plastic parts, with better mechanical properties, at a faster production rate. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Minks studied inactivation of X chromosome, which is one of the chromosomes that determine gender. In almost every woman cell, genes from only one of the two X chromosomes are utilized to produce proteins. The work of Dr. Minks helps to explain the relationship between sequence, structure and function of XIST, the key RNA molecule that regulates X chromosome inactivation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Boivin studied Granzyme B, an enzyme that breaks apart proteins, to determine its role in blood vessel and skin diseases. She identified proteins outside of cells, specifically broken down by Granzyme B, that contribute to those diseases. Dr. Boivin's work resulted in several articles being published in scientific journals, as well as patents licensed to a local biotechnology company. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Mejia's research concerns probability theory and combinatorics, the mathematics of counting. She studied mathematical models of polymer molecules. Her work adds to the understanding of the shapes that these molecules can adopt. Her solution solves a fascinating mathematical open problem and can be extended to related combinatorial models. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Siu focused his research on phosphorus chemistry. He synthesized compounds of varying sizes, both big and small. Some of these compounds are highly reactive, others are not. His investigation helps to broaden the field of phosphorus chemistry and could potentially lead to unique materials and catalysts. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Jull examined the impact of a training program designed to teach community recreation instructors to support children with autism who were learning to swim. Results indicated that staff learned key instructional skills and the children's swimming skills improved as a result. | Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Othman studied the melt and processing behaviour of a promising biodegradable thermoplastic. This could be a solution for the large amount of plastic packaging waste throughout the world. The findings from this study can be used in simulations of various processes and to increase the efficiency of the processing and productivity of this biodegradable plastic. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Higashi conducted research on peace-building initiatives in Afghanistan and East Timor. His findings and recommendations factored into the decision of the Japanese government to support the reconciliation efforts in Afgahanistan. Because of his outstanding research, Dr. Higashi received an appointment as Associate Professor in the University of Tokyo, and has subsequently been assigned to be Minister-Counsellor for the Japanese mission to the United Nations in New York. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Yang examined one of the largest instances of political migration in modern Chinese history: one million soldiers and civilian refugees who followed Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist regime from mainland China to Taiwan, after the Chinese civil war in the late 1940s and early 1950s. This study of displaced communities in Asia during the Cold War offers new perspectives on exile, displacement, and Chinese diaspora. | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Bakhshaii used Gene Expression Programming to improve forecasts of precipitation and speed-up calculation of how atmospheric stability affects thunderstorms. She devised new forecast methods for electric load to enable more efficient operation of electric-power generation. Her innovation has been beneficial for meteorologists, hydrologists, the power industry and the general public. | Doctor of Philosophy in Atmospheric Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Chi studied the effects of hurricanes on mangrove vegetation on Turneffe Islands, Belize. He showed that, unless humans have intervened, vegetation re-establishes in the same general location after catastrophic hurricanes. He developed a model for formation of islands, or cays, to demonstrate the effects of storm energy on vegetation and coral reefs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Lee studied the removal of excess cholesterol from the body. He researched a transporter protein that is produced in the liver and in the intestinal tract and found that it contributes to regulation of cholesterol . This finding may impact our understanding and treatment of cardiovascular disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Himmel examined the role of T cells and T regulatory cells in the human immune system and particularly in the setting of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Dr. Himmel's work will further the development of clinical therapy using T cells or T regulatory cells for the treatment of chronic immune disorders. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Wong studied various problems in the field of number theory. His work sheds light on statistical properties of random matrices, and provides an explanation for certain patterns that had been empirically observed in the integers represented by a quadratic form. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Jardon studied factors that affect the ability of genetically-engineered cells to produce proteins to treat diseases such as cancer or stroke. He showed that by inhibiting the process called autophagy, which causes cells to "eat" themselves, protein production could be increased, without affecting its quality. This research can benefit patients in need of modern biotechnology products. . | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | The rhythmic beat of the heart relies on electrical signals. Dr. Sarhan studied ways in which a specific electrical signal is regulated when it is conducted along pathways known as sodium channels. Through his research he uncovered a new pathway which was found to be disrupted in patients with cardiac arrhythmia, and this confirms its physiological relevance. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Majumdar worked on methods to increase the speed of Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans. His methods do not require any alteration in the hardware of the scanner; the acceleration can be achieved by modifying the software associated with it. His methods can be used to speed-up existing scanners with minimal cost. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Barha found that certain estrogen replacement therapies alleviated age-associated cognitive decline and stimulated production of new brain cells in older female rats. The effects were dependent on factors such as the type of estrogen and previous reproductive experience. Results indicate that hormone replacement therapy for women should be individually tailored. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Hernandez studied the aesthetic disfiguration that reduces the value of wood products when they are exposed outdoors. His work revealed that weathered wood surfaces are grayed by the interactive effects of solar radiation and fungal colonization. This knowledge can be used to develop new and less toxic treatments to stop the graying of weathered wood. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Wong showed how high-elevation whitebark pine trees have become endangered due to an introduced fungal disease and native insects. She discovered irrecoverable shifts in species composition due to poor pine regeneration, decreased competition among adult trees, and increased growth of alternate tree species. Her research shows how global environmental change, such as introduced diseases, puts native species at risk. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Unda investigated the role of a group of carbohydrates in poplar trees. Changes in these carbohydrates resulted in trees with increased cellulose content. Enhancing the characteristics of the wood produces trees which can store carbon more effectively and therefore produce better biofuels. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Svensson studied how Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterium that causes food poisoning, adapts to stressful conditions. She discovered that Campylobacter forms stress-tolerant communities called biofilms, and two particular genes allow it to sense and respond to environmental challenges. This work will help control C. jejuni in the food chain. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Gill investigated the existence of Axion-like particles, that are strong contenders for the dark matter in our Universe. He developed a novel method for measuring the mass of these particles by studying their signature in the light observed from strongly magnetized stars. | Doctor of Philosophy in Astronomy (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Rosborough studied the relationship between language and Indigenization through stories of individuals engaged in Kwak'wala revitalization. Conducted through an Indigenous methodology, the research deepens understandings of Kwak'wala learning and finds that Indigenous language revitalization must take into account the impacts of colonization. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |