Lecturer

Department of Life Sciences,

The University of the West Indies

St. Augustine

Trinidad and Tobago

Telephone: 868-662-2002 ext 83094

Email: LaDaana.Kanhai@sta.uwi.edu


Qualifications

  • PhD (Marine Ecosystems Health and Conservation), Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland and The University of Plymouth, UK (2018)
  • MPhil (Environmental Biology), The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad (2013)
  • BSc. General (Double Majors in Environmental and Natural Resource Management and Chemistry), The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, First Class Honours (2007)

Relevant Training

  1. Homeward Bound Leadership Program (2025)
  2. Certificate in University Teaching and Learning (The UWI) (2023)
  3. Diploma in Global Leadership (2022)
  4. NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (2006

Scientific Expeditions

  • eXXpedition’s Round the World Voyage: Leg 4 onboard SV Travel Edge (Antigua to Bonaire to Aruba, November 29th to December 8th 2019)
  • Arctic Ocean Expedition (2016), Early Career Scientist Program onboard Swedish Icebreaker Oden (Aug 8th – Sept 20th, 2016)
  • Floating Summer School- North South Atlantic Transect Training (Oct 28th to Dec 2nd 2015, Bremerhaven, Germany to Cape Town, South Africa

Research Interests

  • Marine plastic pollution (SIDS, Caribbean, Atlantic, Arctic Oceans)
  • Anthropogenic threats posed to coastal and marine ecosystems
  • Chemical contaminants in wetland ecosystems (e.g. metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)
  • Human Dimension of environmental issues
  • Marine Biodiversity

Courses Taught

  • BIOL 3063- Marine Ecology and Oceanography (Undergraduate, Level 3)
  • BIOL 3466- Coastal Ecosystems and Resource Management (Undergraduate, Level 3)
  • ESST 3102- Environmental Impact Assessments (Undergraduate, Level 3)
  • ESST 1004- Science Communication (Undergraduate, Level 1)
  • ESST 2004- Pollution Management and Abatement Technologies (Undergraduate, Level 2)
  • ESST 3004- Capstone Project (Undergraduate, Level 3)

Current Research Projects

  • Abandoned, Lost and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in Trinidad and Tobago
  • Marine Megafauna Bycatch in Trinidad and Tobago
  • Sea Turtles in Trinidad and Tobago: Sentinels of Anthropogenic Stressors in the Marine Environment 

 

Professional Activities

  • Technical Advisory Group of CARICOM Regional Institutions on Ocean Matters (TAGCOM), Representative for The UWI (2024 – present)
  • National Sea Turtle Task Force of Trinidad and Tobago, Member (2024-present), Alternate (2021-2023)
  • Sea Turtle Bycatch Working Group (2021-present)
  • Scientific Advisory Committee on Marine Litter and Microplastics (UNEP)-Trinidad and Tobago’s Representative (November 2019 – Present)

 


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