Tizazu Mekonnen

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/).

• 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

• 2013, Doctorate Bioresource Engineering, University of Alberta, Canada
• 2009, Master of Science Chemical Engineering, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

• CHE 102 - Chemistry for Engineers
  • Taught in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
• CHE 541 - Introduction to Polymer Science and Properties
  • Taught in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
• CHE 564 - Food Process Engineering
  • Taught in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• Chen, G., Vahidifar, A., Yu, S., Mekonnen, T., "Sulfur Free Crosslinking of EPDM Composites via Silane Grafting and Silica Incorporation", Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 230056, 2024 (Accepted in 2024)
• Trinh, B., Chang, B., Mekonnen, T., "The barrier properties of sustainable multiphase and multicomponent packaging materials: A review", Progress in Materials Science, 133(1), 2023 (Accepted in 2023)
• Trinh, B., Owen, P., vanderHeide, A., Gupta, A., Mekonnen, T., "Recyclable and Self-Healing Natural Rubber Vitrimers from Anhydride-Epoxy Exchangeable Covalent Bonds", ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 5(11), 2023, 8890 - 8906 (Accepted in 2023)
• Chen, G., Vahidifar, A., Yu, S., Mekonnen, T., "Optimization of silane modification and moisture curing for EPDM toward improved physicomechanical properties", Reactive and Functional Polymers, 182, 2023 (Accepted in 2022)
• Ojogbo, Z., Tzoganakis, C., Mekonnen, T., "Batch Mixing for the In Situ Grafting of Epoxidized Rubber onto Cellulose Nanocrystals", ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 10(27), 2022, 8743 - 8753 (Accepted in 2022)
• Chen, G., Vahidifar, A., Yu, S., Mekonnen, T., Optimization of silane modification and moisture curing for EPDM toward improved physicomechanical properties, Reactive and Functional Polymers, 105467, 2023
• Ojogbo, Z., Tzoganakis, C., Mekonnen, T., Batch Mixing for the In Situ Grafting of Epoxidized Rubber onto Cellulose Nanocrystals, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 8743, 2022
• Adibi, A., Valdesueiro, D., Simon, L., Lenges, C., Mekonnen, T., High Barrier Sustainable Paper Coating Based on Engineered Polysaccharides and Natural Rubber, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 10718, 2022
• Guiao, K., Tzoganakis, K., Mekonnen, T., Thermo-mechano-chemical deconstruction of cellulose for cellulose nanocrystal production by reactive processing, Carbohydrate Polymers, 119543, 2022
• Guiao, K., Tzoganakis, K., Mekonnen, T., "Thermo-mechano-chemical deconstruction of cellulose for cellulose nanocrystal production by reactive processing", Carbohydrate Polymers, 291, 2022 (Accepted in 2022)

• New material aims to transform oil spill cleanup
• Prof wins prestigious early career award
• Researchers’ tech removes nanoplastics from water
• Ontario universities create fellowship to increase diversity in engineering and technology
• Engineering professors recognized as top innovators
• Disposable gloves can be used up to 20 times with the right disinfection method