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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Dr. Roes studied the brain networks measurable through fMRI. Using a new analysis method, Spatiotemporal fMRI-CPCA, she showed that resting state networks did not adequately account for task-based activity. She argues that task-based networks provide unique information about brain-cognition relations not available from resting state data alone. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Ganguly used Drosophila as a model system to systematically classify ~100 variants of the PTEN gene, which have been found in cancer and ASD patients, as pathogenic or benign, using simple, robust experimental assays and examined the effect of these variants on protein function. | Doctor of Philosophy in Cell and Developmental Biology (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Woodruff looked at different tools that fisheries managers can use to sustain productive recreational fisheries and how it is necessary to have trade-offs between fishery and conservation goals. Ecosystem models were created to examine the different interactions and consequences that can result while trying to maintain a stable ecosystem. | Doctor of Philosophy in Oceans and Fisheries (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Aikenhead examined the Canadian criminal justice response to technology-facilitated intimate partner violence (TFIPV) through a review of recent case law. She identified concerns and gaps in the legal response from a feminist perspective. Her proposed legislative and policy reforms will assist victims of TFIPV in accessing justice. | Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. González explored science teachers' assessments. He found that when teachers know more about scientific models and have more years of teaching experience, they engage in student assessment more often and use a wider array of strategies. These results have implications for science teacher education and their teaching with models. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Banerjee's dissertation studied soil liquefaction under the influence of particle-level factors. He isolated these factors using numerical models to explore micro-macro connections. Fundamental insights from this cyclic loading-based analysis can be applied to the development of geo constitutive modeling and designing of granular materials. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Liu studied machine tools used in the machining of metal. He developed both physics-based, and data-driven methods to identify the vibration behavior of such machines, which affects the quality of the manufactured parts. His work benefits the manufacturing industry in the planning and production of high-quality precision parts. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Werner studied the origin of the orca in popular and scientific discourses. His research highlights the importance of first-hand encounters in shaping the historical representation of the killer whale (1861-1964). This study showcases the possibilities for animal-centered history in the age of mass digitization of historical source material. | Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Falcao developed new methods to analyze single-particle tracking data. She achieved breakthroughs in estimating the number of distinct mobile states, while showing how to properly correct for experimental errors. Her work substantially advances our ability to analyze biological dynamics at the single-protein scale. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Trischuk analyzed proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS Experiment to search for clues left behind by a theoretical long-lived particle. No sign of this particle was seen in the data, which ruled out various new physics scenarios. She also contributed to the development of the next generation of ATLAS tracking detectors. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Morgan-Lang charted the global distribution of microorganisms that cycle methane with software he developed for classifying proteins and inferring metabolic diversity of microbial communities. By linking metabolic function to organisms, these computational tools will help us monitor ecosystems as they respond to a changing planet. | Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Howe studied climate change policy networks, discourse, and policy influence in Canada. Research and environmental actors were important in some policy spheres, but not seen as influential. For some environmental actors, media coverage made them seem less influential. Also, policy beliefs and network ties both explained collaboration behaviour. | Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Yu measured the climate vulnerability and health of neighbourhoods in Metro Vancouver and examined the effects of densification on health. Overall, her dissertation reveales stark health and climate inequalities across neighbourhoods and provides evidence to support policies that prepare for the threats of urbanisation and climate change. | Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Wilson-Gerow and collaborators have been developing a quantum-gravity theory. These theories unite the microscopic world, governed by quantum physics, with the macroscopic world that is governed by classical gravitational physics. His main focus is making theoretical predictions for a wave of upcoming, first-ever, quantum gravity experiments. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Saberi studied HIV Antiretroviral Therapy at the cellular level in HIV+ pregnant women and cell culture models. She found that most treatments increased mitochondrial DNA content and reflect cellular metabolism dysregulation. Her research advanced our knowledge of cellular aging and cytotoxicity that could affect fetal development and growth. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Wang designed low-power low-voltage CMOS circuits for wirelessly powered smart stent system. The implemented implantable system can be integrated with a medical stent to sense critical data and transmit data out for diagnosis. The wirelessly powered smart stent does not need a bulky battery hence it can be implanted inside narrow blood vessels. | Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Laugen conducted research in Indonesia to demonstrate that achievement of maternal and newborn care meeting professional standards in hospitals is related to organizational readiness for change in low- and middle-income countries. His work will be used to assess readiness in health care organizations to facilitate successful practice change. | Doctor of Philosophy in Population and Public Health (PhD) |
| 2022 | Engineers and professionals owe a duty to warn of impending risk. Dr. Taale has innovated a novel platform based on the IoT to transform environmental vibrations into earthquake early warnings. This platform utilizes earthquake engineering and artificial intelligence to warn the public, integrating early warning as a service in our daily lives. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Gagalova studies the genomes of conifers, conifer insect pest and cannabis to find unique markers of evolution. This research looks for genes and features in the genomes to make possible the feature applied research. | Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Hare's arts-based research examined how educators draw on what they are feeling in their bodies to navigate teaching sexual health education. The findings showed how sex educators balance ever-shifting knowledge, realities, and priorities in uneasy but stable ways. The study offered valuable insights for improving pedagogy and practices. | Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Yang examined how carbon is made governable in the urban settings by investigating the discursive elements, the formal and informal structures and norms of the policy processes. This research highlights the particular narratives, governance logics and social practices used in the mobilization of climate policy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Byrne studied the complex dynamics of viral infections, examining how various viruses are transmitted and how elicited immune responses change over time. Combining methods of biological data collection and mathematical modelling, her work brings insight into potential treatment, vaccination, and control strategies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Fairhurst studied the effect of long duration megathrust earthquake motions on the structural response of reinforced concrete shearwall buildings. His work included novel methods of ground motion characterization along with recommendations to ensure new buildings at risk from megathrust earthquakes meet minimum safety standards. | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Xu used cellulose nanoparticles and graphene oxide to make materials with ordered structures. These materials have lightweight, mechanical adaptive, or photonic properties. They have applications in optical sensors and patterning. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2022 | Dr. Rattray developed methods to investigate protein-protein interactions in host cells during Salmonella infection. These approaches assist us in better understanding host-pathogen interactions. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |