Killam Doctoral Scholarships are the most prestigious awards available to graduate students at UBC. The purpose of the scholarship is to support advanced education and research. Killam Doctoral Scholarships are awarded to students who are likely to advance learning or win distinction in a profession. And, for the first time, five UBC Okanagan students have won Killam Doctoral Scholarships!
This year’s winners are Emily Comeau, Alexander MacGillivray, Rubaiya Rumman, Jayme Stewart, and Kishoare Tamanna. The scholarship provides these students with annual stipends and research-related travel allowances for two years.
Congratulations on your outstanding achievements!
Emily Comeau
Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies
Community Engagement, Social Change, and Equity Theme
Supervisor: Dr. Christine Schreyer
Indigenous Digital Landscapes: Digital Tools for Place-Based Language Learning
Emily is investigating digital technology’s role in place-based approaches to Indigenous language revitalization. Through this research, she aims to shed light on how digital technology can be used for language learning in ways that are grounded in relationships with place. Using a collaborative community-based approach that is guided by Indigenist and relational methodologies, Emily’s work centres the perspectives of community members and requires her to continually reflect on her positionality within the research.
Alexander MacGillivray
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Jonathan Holzman
Transceiver Technologies for Ground-to-Satellite Laser Communication Links
Alexander’s research recognizes and responds to global telecommunication needs. Alexander’s goal is to implement novel retromodulation-based transceivers to support ground-to-satellite free-space optical-links. The technology Alexander is developing will be the first of its kind and will advance information accessibility across nations.
Rubaiya Rumman
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Shahria Alam
Wood Fly Ash-Based Self-healing Concrete using Encapsulated Chemical Agents
Rubaiya is studying the autogenous self-healing potential of wood fly ash in concrete and assessing the durability of this concrete. Through her research, Rubaiya aims to develop a novel self-healing concrete using wood fly ash as a supplementary cementitious material and encapsulated chemical healing agents. Rubaiya’s research will lead to reduced concrete maintenance costs and improve the sustainability of concrete.
Jayme Stewart
Doctor of Philosophy in clinical psychology
Supervisor: Dr. Leanne ten Brinke
To Tell or Not to Tell: The Role of Social Perception in Improving the Experience and Effectiveness of Sexual Assault Disclosures to Police
Jayme’s research endeavours to identify the perceived characteristics of an interviewer that may improve formal disclosures of sexual assault. Through her research, she plans to identify characteristics that are preferred in police officers receiving disclosures of sexual assault and test if women report more details of sexual assault to police officers with preferred characteristics. Jayme’s research will improve the understanding and implementation of trauma-informed practices and policies.
Kishoare Tamanna
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering
Supervisor: Dr. Shahria Alam and Dr. tony yang
Development of environment-friendly seismic-resilient precast beam-column modules
Kishoare’s research goal is to develop high-performance seismic-resilient precast beam-column modules that incorporate geen building materials. Kishoare will develop lowcarbon sustainable structural precast concrete components and design guidelines. Kishoare’s research will benefit the precast concrete industry and will contribute to the environment and circular economy of Canada by mitigating solid waste disposal issues and reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry.