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. Miao studied the synthesis of the novel ligands for their use in supramolecular systems. By properly designing the ligands, the metallo-supramolecular complexes can be obtained through self-assembly processes. These complexes have potential application in molecular electronic, host-guest chemistry and gas storage. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Lushchenko examined the role of mentality and ideology in shaping medieval French attitudes towards and stereotypes about the Turks. She argues that underlying the stereotyping process are cultural values and ideologies of Western feudal society as well as its immediate political objectives. | Doctor of Philosophy in French (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Poffenberger examined the role of immune genes in virus-induced autoimmune heart disease development and severity. Additionally, Dr. Poffenberger identified regions of the genome that contain genes conferring susceptibility to virus-induced autoimmune heart disease. This research will aid in the identification and treatment of heart disease patients. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. deWaard developed a rapid and effective genetic method for monitoring forest insect diversity. He applied this approach in several disturbed ecosystems across British Columbia, including Stanley Park and ponderosa pine forests. His work demonstrates the utility of this novel method for detecting invasive species and assessing forest health. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Jayant studied the influence of crystallographic texture, temperature, stress state and precipitates on the deformation behaviour of magnesium alloy. He found that there is a substantial difference between the nature of twinning, slip system activity, work hardening characteristics and texture development as a function of deformation temperature. This research may significantly improve the mechanical behaviour of magnesium alloy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Bingham showed in Douglas-fir how interactions between trees and seedlings that vary with climate are mediated by ectomycorrhizal fungi. Dr. Bingham provides evidence that, rather than being purely competitive, facilitative effects occur simultaneously, and that ectomycorrhizal fungi are largely responsible for the facilitative effects. | Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Stavness developed a state-of-the-art 3D computer model of human jaw and tongue biomechanics. He used the model to investigate the coordination of muscles during chewing and speaking movements. He also analyzed jaw surgery and rehabilitation to illustrate how computer models can be applied in medicine. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Golbeck developed techniques for efficient implementation of programming languages that support modern software modularization mechanisms. Such programming languages can be implemented within existing infrastructure and can be as efficient as traditional programming languages. | Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Jensen identified the mutated gene responsible for causing olfactory and developmental disorder in a strain of C. elegans. This gene is required for proper signaling in sensory neurons, and may be disrupted in human diseases. | Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Genetics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Raedschelders investigated the influence of general anesthetics on oxidative injury during heart surgery. This research provides insight into the damage that the heart sustains during the course of these operations. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Rashidi developed inexpensive miniature sensors that travel through pulping digesters and monitor the process within them. He also developed a new coating system to protect the sensors against the harsh environment of the digesters. These sensors help papermakers from around the world design and optimize pulping digesters. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Lau contributed to the description of some solids whose anomalous properties remain unexplained by established theories. New insights into the oxide high-temperature superconductors were gained by a new model and a new numerical approach which allowed commodity processors to solve several problems previously unsolvable even with supercomputers. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Yavari studied the seismic behaviour of structural elements of existing reinforced concrete buildings by conducting several large-scale experiments on an earthquake simulator. He provided a better understanding of the interaction of structural members of concrete buildings subjected to earthquakes and proposed a number of refinements to current seismic rehabilitation guidelines. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Hakim demonstrated that jaw injections of the protein Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha induced muscle pain through peripheral mechanisms without causing muscle damage. It was also found that this muscle sensitisation is mediated, in part, by increased levels of prostaglandin E2. These findings could be used to develop models of human jaw muscle pain. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Blachford showed that sexual reproduction gains an evolutionary advantage by dampening the good and bad luck had by individuals. He also explained why small mammals diminish their lifetime reproduction during and after a population crash, and how this strategy can be cued from activity of neighbours rather than from the actual mortality agents. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Bansal's research will improve the efficiency of scarce radio spectrum by utilizing the available spectrum in an opportunistic manner. He developed mathematical algorithms that allocate resources in an intelligent manner such that transmission data rate is maximized while keeping the harmful interference below a specified threshold. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Agurto Adrianzen confirmed the information diffusion role of village social capital during the adoption of improved stove technology in villages in the Peruvian Andes. He also demonstrated that the new stove technology improved women's respiratory health indicators and reduced firewood consumption. | Doctor of Philosophy in Economics (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Vergara examined the function and development of the vocalizations of beluga whales. She identified signals that are important for maintaining contact between mothers and their calves, and evaluated the role of vocal learning in repertoire acquisition. Her study helped identify continuity in vocal communication processes across species. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Chen separated and characterized Maillard reaction products with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities from a glucose-lysine model. This study showed that Maillard reaction products could be used to protect against intestinal inflammation. | Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Thauberger examined the needs, supports, and challenges of learning assistance teachers in BC and Saskatchewan with respect to their access to knowledge about reading instruction. Teachers expressed a strong desire for more knowledge and made recommendations about how to enhance expertise in this area. | Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Pougatch developed mathematical models and computer codes to simulate complex multiphase flows. He applied these models to a bitumen upgrading process to better understand liquid distribution in the reactor and jet-particle interactions, and to optimize the design of nozzle injectors with gas assisted atomization. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Xie studied the functions of a particular integrin in wound healing. She found that this integrin inhibited keratinocyte proliferation in the epidermis and hair follicles during wound repair possibly via the modulation of epidermal stem cell behavior. This study suggests a manipulation target in the functions of epidermal stem cells. | Doctor of Philosophy in Craniofacial Science (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Catherine showed how children's supportive relationships with classmates and teachers influence the association between physiological stress and social behaviours. This research illuminates how social experience 'gets under the skin' to influence behavioural development in classroom settings. | Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr Lam synthesized and characterized several non-natural DNA monomers that were subsequently used for the enzyme-mediated synthesis of modified DNA. The modified DNA was then used to discover DNA enzymes for therapeutic and sensor applications. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2011 | Dr. Ali studied the nighttime awakening of premature infants. Emotionally anxious mothers who were overly involved in settling their infants to sleep faced frequent awakenings of relatively long duration. The situation provoked greater parental involvement in resettling for sleep. Parents need guidance in modulating their behavior to facilitate the regulation of their infants' sleep. | Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) |