Dr. La Daana Kanhai is a Lecturer/Scientist that is currently based at the Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), St. Augustine, Trinidad. Her research is multidisciplinary and it is focused on understanding human impact on coastal/marine ecosystems, to advance the development of context-specific interventions that will contribute to ecosystem health and human well-being. She has conducted research in Trinidad and Tobago, the Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Dr. Kanhai represented Trinidad and Tobago on the Scientific Advisory Committee on Marine Litter and Microplastics (2019 – 2022, UNEP) and is a member (March 2023 – present) of the Latin America and Caribbean Working Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics (Non-Governmental Actors). Most recently, Dr. Kanhai published on the issue of marine debris and plastic pollution in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME). She was also one of the Lead Authors on the Grenada National Ecosystem Assessment. Dr. Kanhai is presently the Principal Investigator of projects focused on (i) The Human Dimension of Plastic Pollution in Trinidad and Tobago and, (ii) Abandoned, Lost and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in Trinidad and Tobago. At The UWI, Dr. Kanhai teaches undergraduate courses focused on coastal and marine ecosystems, science communication and environmental impact assessments. Dr. Kanhai has supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing research on coastal/marine issues. She serves as a member on several local, regional and international working groups and committees that are focused on marine conservation and pollution. Beyond research, Dr. Kanhai is involved in science communication and outreach.
*For more information: https://www.ladaanakanhai.com
