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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Dr. Kabeer studied the evolutionary history of triple negative breast cancer which is the deadliest of all sub types. Her research used new single-cell sequencing techniques and has altered our fundamental understanding of how cancer subpopulations evolve to create drug resistance under chemotherapies. | Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Dunkley's research examined sexual function in relation to eating disorder symptoms. Higher levels of disordered eating were associated with more sexual problems, and this relationship was partially explained by psychological traits, indicating that shared etiological factors that may underlie both sexual concerns and disordered eating. | Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Lai investigated the Green tensor of incompressible flows in the half space and examined existence theorems of fluid-related models such as plasma, polymetric liquid, and swimming bacteria. His research provides insights on boundary behavior of fluid flows and gives a deeper understanding of complex fluids. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Yang explored the extreme limits of chemical bonding in both long and short directions. The molecular systems designed with the new theories can be used as molecular switches, narrow band-gap conducting polymers, and superhigh energy density materials. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Park developed a master protocol for an innovative trial design called for an adaptive platform trial that can answer multiple questions for child linear growth research in sub-Saharan Africa. His research established a way to improve the efficiency and long-term sustainability of clinical trial research for global health. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Gil discovered novel anatomical structures in baleen whales that protect the nasal cavities from pressure damage and the respiratory tract from water and food incursion. She proposed a mechanism for how these whales can swallow huge volumes of food through a surprisingly small esophagus, contributing to the evolution of their enormous size. | Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Berk analyzed sensitivity of LASSO programs, which are well-known algorithms at the interface of convex optimization and probability. This sensitivity analysis builds on important tools from high-dimensional probability theory, and informs the practitioner's selection of the right computational tool. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Melo developed a super-resolution microscope, combining interferometric scattering and Raman microscopies, which he applied to nanoscopic and biological systems. He also developed a non-invasive methodology to diagnose Brugada Syndrome, a precursor of sudden cardiac death, from the analysis of electrocardiograms using a deep neural network. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Vincent explored poetic inquiry and discovered its distinctive functions as method, methodology and tool in research and scholarship. He found that poetic inquiry is rhizomatic, appearing across the disciplines, and that it merges the sensibilities of a poet (with literary concerns) with those of a researcher (with epistemological concerns). | Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Qu explored methods of modifying graphene on a silicon carbide substrate using adsorbed and intercalated atoms. Using a variety of surface characterization techniques, she studied the electronic properties of the resulting materials. This research helps us understand how graphene could eventually be used in everyday electronics. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Rees examined how cell communication is altered in people with inflammatory bowel disease patients. This alteration in communication drives inflammation and exacerbates disease. | Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Medicine (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. To-Miles studied how activities are related to health among people with and without inflammatory arthritis, and how activities and health have changed during COVID-19. Her research provokes further study on the resiliency of the arthritis population and contributes to the fields of arthritis, occupational science, and occupational therapy. | Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Foth developed new synthetic methods to incorporate fluorine atoms into organic molecules that are more efficient and practical than existing methods. These strategies access industrially-relevant compounds and will aid in the development of future pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Wang used optical tweezers to investigate the mechanical properties of proteins at the single molecular level. His study provided invaluable insights into the protein folding-unfolding mechanisms, and assisted us in understanding a variety of biological processes in the nano scale. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry (PhD) |
| 2021 | Using wearable technologies, Dr. Schirmann investigated how the behaviour of dairy cows changes in response to illness. Her work has shown that cows change behaviours in response to illness and her findings are a key step to identifying automated ways of identifying unwell animals when housed in large groups. | Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Animal Biology (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Chander's dissertation involves the optimization of lipid nanoparticle systems to exhibit improved therapeutic properties like enhanced drug release ability and improved transfection competency in extra-hepatic tissues for both small molecule and nucleic-acid based drugs. | Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD) |
| 2021 | Tumours are heterogeneous entities composed of genetically and functionally distinct cell populations. Dr. LeBlanc's work characterized this heterogeneity in brain tumours, shedding light on the biology of these lethal cancers and providing a resource to help guide the appropriate use of brain tumour models crucial to research. | Doctor of Philosophy in Genome Science and Technology (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Becker interviewed Indigenous women living in Canada who have done well with career decision-making during a period of sex-based status discrimination. Resulting themes highlight the roles of relationships, personal values, adverse experiences, situational influences, and community in influencing how these women navigate their careers. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Silva studied rocks formed in a sea that existed 240 million years ago in present-day British Columbia and Alberta. His research reconstructs how these rocks were deposited and describes how the minerals and rock properties vary across space, contributing to the understanding of the geologic history and energy resources of western Canada. | Doctor of Philosophy in Geological Sciences (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Cortes studied the factors that contribute to a successful integration of mental health mobile applications into psychotherapy. Her research contributes to the understanding of how to best use this kind of technology in the counselling field. | Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Rochussen studied direct-injection gaseous fuel combustion in heavy-duty engines using high-speed imaging inside the combustion chamber. He identified how in-cylinder phenomena impact efficiency and pollutant emissions. This work guides the development of future high-efficiency and low-pollutant engine technology using renewable gaseous fuels. | Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Maryam Shirmohammad conducted research on development of novel methods of Raman spectroscopy. She made a discovery in enhancement of intensity of the acquired Raman signals. This can revolutionize the practice of cancer screening/diagnosis through analysis of VOC biomarkers of breath. | Doctor of Philosophy in Physics (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Baker examined how Dr. Sultan Somjee and the Community Peace Museum Heritage Foundation in Kenya utilize the African Humanist philosophy of Utu to resolve conflict in civil society and the environment. Her findings contribute to understanding the value of teaching Indigenous peace heritage traditions to promote peace in a modern world. | Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) |
| 2021 | Dr. Gonzalez examined the use of the sostenuto pedal in the piano works of the Italian pianist and composer Ferruccio Busoni. He argues that Busoni expanded the pedalling technique of the piano by finding new ways to sustain and release tones. | Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano (DMA) |
| 2021 | Dr. Mohammed Redha studied methods to improve the co-firing of coal with biomass to reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuels using computational fluid dynamics. These techniques include unsophisticated modifications of the furnace geometry, particle shrinkage due to densification of biomass, and thermogravimetric analysis of biomass and coal mining waste. | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD) |