Tizazu Mekonnen
Associate Professor, Director, IBET
Email: tmekonne@uwaterloo.ca
Location: E6 5010
Phone: 519-888-4567 x38914
Biography
Tiz Mekonnen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering as well as the Director of the IBET PhD Project.
Professor Mekonnen's research interests are in the broad spectrum of topics in the general areas of bio-based polymers, polymer processing, sustainable nanomaterials, and polymer (nano)composites. His research combines chemical synthesis, polymer processing, material design & fabrication, rheology, and advanced characterization to advance the sustainability and functionality of polymer systems.
As the Director of the IBET PhD Project, Professor Mekonnen coordinates and leads the program's activities, including the expansion of the consortium member institutions, recruitment of IBET PhD Fellows, setting-up mentorship portfolio, recruiting mentors, and developing networking platforms. The IBET PhD Project, a national partnership project of Engineering faculties, is intended to foster equitable and inclusive research environments to increase the presence of Indigenous and Black academics in Engineering and Technology (https://ibetphd.ca/).
Professor Mekonnen's research interests are in the broad spectrum of topics in the general areas of bio-based polymers, polymer processing, sustainable nanomaterials, and polymer (nano)composites. His research combines chemical synthesis, polymer processing, material design & fabrication, rheology, and advanced characterization to advance the sustainability and functionality of polymer systems.
As the Director of the IBET PhD Project, Professor Mekonnen coordinates and leads the program's activities, including the expansion of the consortium member institutions, recruitment of IBET PhD Fellows, setting-up mentorship portfolio, recruiting mentors, and developing networking platforms. The IBET PhD Project, a national partnership project of Engineering faculties, is intended to foster equitable and inclusive research environments to increase the presence of Indigenous and Black academics in Engineering and Technology (https://ibetphd.ca/).
Research Interests
- Bioplastics
- Polymer blends and composites
- Polymer modifications and processing
- Rubber processing and modifications
- Biodegradable and compostable polymers
- Nanostructured polymers
- Polymer structure-property and applications development
- Dispersion Rheology & dynamics of colloidal nanomaterials
Education
- 2013, Doctorate Bioresource Engineering, University of Alberta, Canada
- 2009, Master of Science Chemical Engineering, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Teaching*
- CHE 102 - Chemistry for Engineers
- Taught in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
- CHE 541 - Introduction to Polymer Science and Properties
- Taught in 2019, 2020, 2021
- CHE 564 - Food Process Engineering
- Taught in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.
In The News
Graduate studies
- Not currently accepting applications for graduate students