Tizazu Mekonnen

Tizazu (Tiz) Mekonnen is a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Multiphase Polymers, and Director of the Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology (IBET) PhD Project.

Professor Mekonnen's research focuses on sustainable polymeric materials, including bio-based and biodegradable polymers, polymer blends and composites, sustainable nanomaterials, and advanced polymer processing. His research integrates polymer chemistry and modifications, materials design and fabrication, rheology, interfacial engineering, and advanced characterization to establish fundamental structure-processing-property relationships and develop high-performance, sustainable polymer systems. His work addresses applications in sustainable packaging, functional coatings, environmental remediation, and advanced materials, with an emphasis on reducing the environmental footprint of polymer-based products.

As the founding Director of the IBET PhD Project, Prof. Mekonnen provides strategic leadership to a national consortium of Canadian engineering faculties committed to increasing the representation of Indigenous and Black scholars in engineering and technology. He oversees the program's strategic development and expansion, recruitment of PhD Fellows, mentorship initiatives, and professional networking opportunities. More information is available (https://ibetphd.ca/).

• Polymers and sustainability

• Bioplastics

• Polymer blends and composites

• Polymer processing & reactive extrusion

• Polymer modifications

• Rubber processing and modifications

• Biodegradable and compostable polymers

• Nanostructured polymers

• Hydrogels

• Nanomaterials

• Water treatment and environmental remediation

• Environmental applications of polymers

• 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 2022, 2023
• CHE 241 - Materials Science and Engineering
  • Taught in 2026
• CHE 541 - Introduction to Polymer Science and Properties
  • Taught in 2021, 2024
• CHE 564 - Food Process Engineering
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025

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

• Alikiotis P.D., and Mekonnen T.H., Nanostructured lignin carriers for efficient flame retardant delivery in natural rubber composites, Materials Advances, Volume 7, 1840-1851, Canada, 2026.

• Kalani S., Jubinville D., and Mekonnen T.H., Nano-Porous Melt-Blown Poly(Lactic Acid) Fiber Mat Air Filters for High Efficiency Particulate Capture, Advanced Sustainable Systems, Canada, 2025.

• Ohaka T., and Mekonnen T.H., Recyclable and Sustainable Natural Rubber Biocomposite Vitrimers Induced by Dynamic Anhydride-Epoxy Bonds, ACS Applied Polymer Materials, Volume 7, 1347-1360, Canada, 2025.

• Jubinville D., and Mekonnen T.H., Enhanced Performance 3-D Printed PLA Parts through a Photo-Initiator Mediated UV-Curing, Advanced Materials Technologies, Volume 10, Canada, 2025.

• Vasanji S., Scarfo M.G., Alyami A., Mekonnen T.H., Hajireza P., Saed M.O., Jakli A., and Shahsavan H., Stiffening Liquid Crystal Elastomers with Liquid Crystal Inclusions, Advanced Materials, Volume 37, Canada, 2025.

• Binley G., and Mekonnen T.H., Controlled Degradation of PBAT for PBAT/PLA Blend Melt-Blown Nonwovens, Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Volume 46, Canada, 2025.

• Islam M.S., Tadele D.T., and Mekonnen T.H., Corn Zein Nanocarriers for Agrochemical Delivery and Smart Packaging, Advanced Sustainable Systems, Volume 9, Canada, 2025.

• Blanchard R., Jubinville D., Li J., Ward V.C.A., and Mekonnen T.H., Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals Enabled Antimicrobial Polymeric Films, Advanced Sustainable Systems, Volume 8, Canada, 2024.

• Lee H., Trinh B.M., and Mekonnen T.H., Fabrication of Triblock Elastomer Foams and Gelation Studies for Oil Spill Remediation, Macromolecular Rapid Communications, Volume 45, Canada, 2024.

• Pieters K., and Mekonnen T.H., Progress in waterborne polymer dispersions for coating applications: commercialized systems and new trends, Rsc Sustainability, Volume 2, 3704-3729, Canada, 2024.

• Growing smarter to tackle Onrario's farm challenges
• Lighter x-ray aprons could spare health-care workers from chronic pain
• Professor honoured for advancing inclusion in engineering
• Researchers create better plastic from food scraps
• 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