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. Plemel tested several strategies that focused on replacing a biological substance known as myelin following injury to the nervous system. Loss of myelin is a common occurrence after Multiple Sclerosis and Spinal Cord Injury and strategies improving myelin replacement should provide new treatments for these conditions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Hua studied statistical models that improve on classical methods for modelling risks. He can better quantify and bound the risk of simultaneous occurrence of rare events such as large financial losses in different markets. This research is relevant to insurance practice and financial risk management. | Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics (PhD) |
| 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. Johnson studied the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the first plant to have a completely sequenced genome. He identified three neighbouring genes that play sequential roles in one of the plant's specialized metabolic pathways. This adds to our understanding of the evolution of these kinds of pathways in plants. | Doctor of Philosophy in Botany (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Sang proposed a strategy to optimize the use of chemical additives in communications-grade paper, such as the paper used for printing newspapers and magazines. In addition, he improved our fundamental understanding of the processes of wood fibre floc formation and manipulation which are used in high-quality paper production. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Au developed a theory to explain the development of Chinese socialist institutions from 1978 to 2011, based on case studies of Chinese legal reforms. He argues that change arose from the interplay between traditional socialist ideas and local practicalities. The research contributes to our understanding of past reforms and future policy considerations in China. | Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Stock investigated and defined the chemical variations preserved in the rocks surrounding the Red Lake Gold Mines in Northwestern Ontario. Through the documentation of both mineral and rock chemistry, she was able to identify the influences on gold formation and construct a new exploration tool | Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Fairbank studied the ways in which cells protect themselves against stress and death. She investigated the role of a particular protein known as gp78, and examined previously unknown ways in which groups of proteins known as G proteins interact. This research deepens our understanding of the complex biology of cell survival and adaptation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2012 | High-risk neuroblastoma is an aggressive cancer that affects nerve cells and is hard to cure in children over 1 year of age. Dr.Morozova used state-of-the-art technologies to crack the genetic code of neuroblastoma cells. Her research revealed genetic errors that could provide clues for the development of new therapies for neuroblastoma patients. | Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Huang's research focused on improving the quality of service in next generation wireless communication systems. Efficient and flexible methods for allocating system resources were developed to enable better utilization of the radio spectrum. Dr. Huang's work aims to meet the growing demand for always-on, seamless and ubiquitous wireless communication services. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Mai has developed processing methods for next generation cameras and displays that support images and videos of an ultra-high contrast. Dr. Mai's solutions ensure that these new-generation images and videos can be transmitted efficiently from cable carriers to individual households, while providing viewers with life-like visual experience. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Schreier randomly assigned adolescents to volunteer activities, to examine whether this could improve their physiological health. She found that, following her intervention, volunteers had lower levels of cardio-vascular risk markers than control participants, suggesting novel ways to improve health among youth while contributing positively to society. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (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. Zheng used various proteomics methods to study cell membranes, especially lipid rafts on those membranes, which carry many biological functions. One of her findings was that the presence of lipid rafts may provide an entry point for life-threatening bacteria like Salmonella. Her research contributes to our knowledge of the function of membranes and the way bacteria affect them. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Iqbal studied departmental practices that contribute to professional growth in teaching among tenure-track university professors. She found that, although summative peer review of teaching makes little contribution to professional growth, there are numerous informal and formal departmental practices that are conducive to a culture that values teaching. | Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Moore investigated the optical and electronic properties of late-transition metal complexes. The properties of those complexes are related to the way compounds, or conjugated ligands, bind to the metal. Dr. Moore observed three different ways in which the ligands bind, and the resulting new hybrid complexes demonstrate potential for use in light-harvesting applications, such as solar cells. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (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. Ormiston interviewed Indigenous students, faculty and elders to explore ways in which traditional concepts of Indigenous leadership are applied within post-secondary institutions. He identified the importance of centering Indigenous knowledge, commitment to building relationships, and self-determination of Indigenous people, communities and Nations. | Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) |
| 2012 | The stellar winds of nearly half the dying stars in the universe have remained a mystery for almost four decades. As a result of his research, Dr. Thirumalai has been able to propose a mechanism that promises a resolution of this outstanding problem. His work brings together two hitherto disparate areas of physics into a single cohesive theory, with implications for dying stars as well as for stars that are still forming in the universe. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Alyabyshev studied the effects of electromagnetic fields on the dynamics of atoms and molecules at low temperatures, and suggested a new method for detection of electromagnetic fields. This research can benefit different areas of science and technology, ranging from fundamental physical measurements to medical imaging and detection of explosive materials. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Bendix identified the factors that encourage majority-party leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to seize control of bill development and, as a result, prevent the minority party from participating in deliberations. He also examined the policy consequences of this one-party control and demonstrated that it tends to produce substantively problematic legislation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Gray discovered that, during stressful experiences, a neurotransmitter in the brain called vasopressin assists by restricting the release of stress hormones. This suggests that vasopressin is an important regulator of stress, and that low levels of vasopressin may be a factor in mental illnesses like depression, particularly in senior citizens and women. | Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Leung investigated the effectiveness of hormonal emergency contraceptives in a large cohort of women who received these medications under real usage conditions. Her research findings will help women and health providers make more informed clinical decisions about using these medications as a method of family planning. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Haggan demonstrated a broad-based demand for the immeasurable values of love, cherishing and protecting, in our relationship with the sea. A concept of the secular sacred can ensure that basic human values of gratitude, generosity and renewal are as well-represented as science and economics in dialogue about farmed salmon and the Enbridge pipeline. | Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD) |
| 2012 | Dr. Ruby investigated the reasons why people either consume or avoid eating meat, taking into account various environmental and internal factors. Drawing on participants form diverse cultures, his inquiry focussed on the role of emotion, social influence, perceived animal quality and moral intuitions. His conclusions will contribute to research in the field of Psychology. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |