2023 Provost’s Program Black and Indigenous Postdoctoral Scholar: Anny Leudjo Taka (she/her)

My work involves conducting research and publishing articles as well as teaching.

My research mainly focuses on developing novel polymer nanobiocomposites with multifunctional, biodegradable, and recyclable properties. These novel polymer nanobiocomposites will be exploited in organic electronic devices and water desalination. This research work is of societal importance and transformative. This project also aligns well with research strengths set by the University of Waterloo, such as nanotechnology, water and energy sustainability, and security. Furthermore, this project favours multidisciplinary approaches to research leading to innovative knowledge and quality technology in the interest of improving societies. The results to be achieved in this research project will significantly contribute to the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as energy security, clean water and sanitation. For instance, the novel multifunctional polymer nanobiocomposites to be developed can be considered potential materials for manufacturing new dielectric materials, affecting the light emission properties of the organic light-emitting devices. These novel polymer nanobiocomposites offer novel approaches for developing bio-based wastewater purification and desalination solutions. These polymer nanobiocomposite materials can also be prospective sustainable materials to overcome the limitation in energy storage, industrial separation purposes, textile, and food packaging.

• To publish the research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
• To expand my research network collaborations with other professional and established researchers.
• To improve my teaching and leadership skills.
• Student engagement and mentoring.
• To apply and obtain an external research finding.

• December 2022 - South Africa's National Research Foundation Innovation Postdoctoral Fellowship
• December 2019 - South Africa's National Research Foundation Scarce Skills Postdoctoral Fellowship
• June 2019 - Global Excellence Stature Fellowship 4.0 awarded by the University of Johannesburg, South Africa
• January 2016 - South Africa's National Research Foundation Innovation Doctoral Scholarship

Polymer nanobiocomposites have attracted tremendous attention in many fields due to their flexibility and excellent multifunctional properties. These multifunctionalities arise from the combination of various components in the polymer composites. Additionally, each of these components plays a significant role in enhancing the performance of the polymer nanobiocomposites to achieve a sustainable and efficient water purification process, improve electrical conductivity, enhance light absorption, and charge carrier mobility in electronic devices such as solar cells and organic transistors. Hence, in this context, we develop polymer nanobiocomposites made of non-toxic or less toxic materials that can be regenerated. Then, we investigate the thorough understanding of these polymer nanobiocomposites' thermal stability and physical, mechanical, chemical, electrical, optical, and antimicrobial properties. This investigation is needed to pave the way for their full exploitation in water purification and electronic devices.

I chose to come to the University of Waterloo because it is a fantastic university that values diversity and inclusion. The University of Waterloo possesses excellent research platforms and infrastructures favouring excellence in research, innovation, and technology. The University of Waterloo also offers great professional development programs in teaching and leadership, which are valuable for the advancement of my academic career.

What I currently enjoy about the University of Waterloo is that it is a university that favours interdisciplinary research collaboration and values principles such as diversity, inclusion, equality, respect, and excellence in research and innovation.

Spending time with my children, cooking, travelling and exploring new things.