In celebration of Black History Month, the University of Waterloo is shining a light on some of the inspirational Black researchers among the institution's community.
According to a 2023 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council report, only 2.3 per cent of the senior leaders at Canada's universities are Black despite 4.3 per cent of the Canadian population identifying as Black. The same report notes only 1.96 per cent of Canada research chairs in all sectors are held by Black-identifying individuals.
At Waterloo, fostering Black inclusion and equity is a priority. In a 2024 op-ed co-authored by the University's president and vice-chancellor, Vivek Goel, it says, "Universities and society benefit when we allow diverse voices to enrich our teaching, learning, research and service."
The following researchers are driving innovation while uplifting the Black community at the post-secondary level and beyond.
Dr. Trevor Charles, Faculty of Science
During his 25+ year tenure at the University, Charles has also made it his mission to support Black entrepreneurs and innovators in the local community. In 2021, he became the executive director of LiftOff, a Black-led business accelerator for Black entrepreneurs in the Waterloo Region and Wellington County. Most recently, Charles received the Wiley Research Heroes Prize for his outstanding research contributions and commitment to inclusivity. He says he looks "forward to trying to create more opportunities for Black students to interact with Black faculty on campus."
Charles shares that one fact no one would guess about him is that he was a competitive track and field athlete in his younger days.
Dr. Tizazu Mekonnen, Faculty of Engineering
"Chemical engineering is unique compared to other engineering disciplines because it bridges chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics to solve real-world problems involving the transformation of raw materials into valuable products. It is an exciting and rewarding discipline that offers a unique blend of science, engineering and problem solving, providing opportunities to make a meaningful impact and pursue diverse career paths across various industries."
In contrast to his robust technical expertise, Mekonnen has a strong love for music, soccer, and long-distance running. He says he once considered pursuing a career as a professional athlete when he was younger.
Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae, Faculty of Arts
Dr. Naila Keleta-Mae is a professor in the Department of Communication Arts, the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Race, Gender and Performance and a Dorothy Killam Fellow.
She is also the principal investigator of the Black And Free research-creation project, an artistic and academic experience that expresses themes of blackness and freedom projecting expansive visions of what that could be for engaged, curious and casual members of the public. Keleta-Mae started the project in 2017, leading multi-year research partnerships with private and public sector organizations and a research team of undergraduate and graduate students.
Apart from being an award-winning researcher and accomplished author, Keleta-Mae is a multidisciplinary artist who has recorded albums, collaborated on a series of short surrealist videos, created multi-media art and written plays. When asked to share a fact that no one would guess about her, she says, "I do my Bantu knots myself." Bantu knots, a hairstyle that originates from southern Africa, consist of hair separated into a number of sections with each one twisted and tied in place.
Dr. Yverick Pascal Rangom, Faculty of Engineering
Dr. Yverick Pascal Rangom is a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and a researcher at Ontario Battery and Electrochemistry Research Centre at Waterloo. His research is currently advancing the fast-charging capabilities of Li-ion batteries as it is believed to be a key factor for the mass adoption of electric vehicles. Rangom is pioneering this multi-disciplinary field of research to foster new knowledge and expertise in the fields of chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering made to work at unison. This integrative approach is key to his leadership of Battery Workforce Challenge, a student competition to design, build and integrate an electric vehicle battery pack in a Stellantis vehicle sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
When asked how one can uplift young Black students and encourage them to pursue post-secondary education in engineering or science, he says, "The good thing to remember is that science is the pursuit of truth, and it is therefore literally colour-blind. If one can get passed its genesis and get into the meaning of the concepts, the sky is the limit for Black students. So, my advice is to force yourself to get into the concepts you'll be taught, love your studies and science will reward you."
Aside from academia, the professor says his main hobbies are travelling and photography.
Dr. Leah Jones-Crank, Faculty of Environment
Dr. Leah Jones-Crank is a professor in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability. As an interdisciplinary sustainability scholar, her research explores how to improve management, governance, and decision-making for food, energy and water. She examines how such approaches can enhance strategies that address challenges of drought and water stress in the face of climate change. Jones-Crank also focuses on urban spaces and has fieldwork experience in cities in Southwestern USA, South Africa, and Singapore.
The professor says she encourages empowerment of current and future Black researchers through mentorship. "This provides Black students with the opportunities to see representation in the academic/research domain, gain guidance on potential research paths and begin developing networks that can foster advancement for future research opportunities," she explains.
In her leisure time, Jones-Crank enjoys reading novels and baking in the winter, and hiking and shooting photography in the warmer months.
For more inspirational stories of Black flourishing that continues to shape Waterloo's community, visit the Black History Month portal as well as the Waterloo Research and VPRI's LinkedIn pages.
Special thanks to co-op student Fatima Rahman for helping to curate this piece.
