I’m La Daana Kanhai!

Warm greetings from the Caribbean! My name is La Daana Kanhai and I am a Marine Scientist from the Small Island Developing State (SIDS) of Trinidad and Tobago. My research is focused on understanding the impact of human activities on coastal and marine ecosystems to inform the development of context-specific, multi-pronged interventions. 

More than a decade ago, my research journey actually started in the wetland ecosystems in my country. In 2015, I was awarded an Erasmus Mundus Fellowship to pursue a joint PhD in Marine Ecosystem Health and Conservation (MARES) at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (Ireland) and the University of Plymouth (UK). During that program, I participated in two scientific expeditions. The first five-week expedition (2015) was in the Atlantic Ocean onboard the RV Polarstern (Bremerhaven, Germany to Cape Town, South Africa). Although this expedition was a Floating Summer School on Biological Oceanography, my research was focused on assessing the abundance, distribution and composition of microplastics in sub-surface waters. 

In the first quarter of 2016, the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat (SPRS) put out a call for their Early Career Scientists Programme onboard icebreaker Oden. At that time, the literature indicated that there was a paucity of information regarding plastics in Polar Regions. Immediately, I knew that this was too good an opportunity to pass up so I asked my main PhD supervisor (Dr. Ian O-Connor) what he thought about it and whether he would support my application. He told me to ‘Go for it’! So there I was, a young woman from the Caribbean applying to go to the Arctic Ocean for a six-week expedition. Imagine my surprise when I was informed that my application had been successful and that I would join Professor Katarina Gardfeldt’s group for the expedition!

Prior to the expedition, I had read as much as I could about the Arctic Ocean, I had meetings with my supervisors as we finalized methods for sampling and the processing of samples onboard the vessel. All participants attended a Mobilization Week in Sweden onboard the vessel. Between August to September 2016, I spent six weeks onboard icebreaker Oden sampling the sub-surface waters, sediments and sea ice of the Arctic Ocean for microplastics. In late August 2016, one of our sampling stations was at the North Pole. In the years that followed, I analysed my samples, published my findings and went on to share those findings at international conferences (one of which was Polar 2018, Davos, Switzerland). Polar Research is multi-faceted in that it involved sampling the natural environment, lab work (processing and analysing samples), data analysis, writing (publication of findings) and communication (conferences, seminars, etc). 

I first developed a personal connection with polar exploration in 2016 during the six weeks I spent in the Arctic Ocean onboard icebreaker… I also remember the sense of community that was forged among the diverse individuals that were onboard icebreaker Oden.

Following my PhD, I returned to the Caribbean where I have continued my research on plastic pollution in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME). In November/December 2019, I was one of the guest crew onboard the SV Travel Edge where we sailed from Antigua to Bonaire and then finally to Aruba as part of leg 4 of eXXpedition’s voyage around the world. This was an excellent program that brought together a diverse group of women to tackle the issue of plastic pollution in the ocean. Presently, I am based at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine where I teach undergraduate courses related to coastal and marine ecosystems. I am therefore helping to build local capacity for ocean science in the Caribbean.

For several generations now, my family has been in the West Indies. I can go on and on about the things that makes me proud to be from this region (e.g., natural environment, diverse cultures, warmth of the people, food, etc)!

History says that my ancestors, originally from India, travelled via ship, crossed the Indian Ocean, then the South Atlantic Ocean to reach the Caribbean. My ancestors were East Indian indentured labourers that came to the Caribbean to work on sugarcane plantations. For several generations now, my family has been in the West Indies. Growing up in the Caribbean has been a joy! I can go on and on about the things that makes me proud to be from this region (e.g., natural environment, diverse cultures, warmth of the people, food, etc)! Living on an island in the tropics makes me enjoy spending time outdoors, be it in my garden, at the beach, in the forest or at sea. It is the thing that allows me to disconnect, recharge and keep going. Even when I am stuck indoors, chances are I’m reading about some aspect of the natural environment. I also enjoy travelling and discovering new music!

My family has always been a huge source of support for me. They think that it’s quite cool that I’ve had the opportunity to conduct research on the Arctic Ocean.

When I returned home, I shared my experience with them by using photos and videos. For me, science communication therefore starts at home.

The natural environment of Planet Earth is the core thing that inspires me to take action. Whenever I spent time outdoors, be it my garden, the forest, the beach or the sea, I feel recharged. The Polar Regions of Planet Earth are indescribably beautiful places! During the entire Arctic Ocean 2016 expedition, I was simply fascinated by the Artic Ocean. To the young person out there who is in awe of Planet Earth, specifically Polar Regions, I say to you, ‘Let that passion be the thing that drives you to take action to understand these ecosystems better and to ensure that the generations that come after us are able to experience them as well’. There is so much that has yet to be discovered in these unique ecosystems.

I first developed a personal connection with polar exploration in 2016 during the six weeks I spent in the Arctic Ocean onboard icebreaker. Everyday my perspective of this fascinating environment changed. Initially, the majority of our time was spent on icebreaker Oden where I sampled sub-surface waters. Every time I looked outside, I wondered if this beautiful place was really part of Planet Earth.

Once we headed further north, while searching for suitable ice floes, my team then had the opportunity to get aerial views of the Arctic Ocean from the helicopter. We then had the opportunity to get out on the ice floes and drill ice cores. While we were drilling, I remember spotting seals surface nearby to check out the activity. I remember the sightings of polar bears and seabirds foraging. One day a polar bear took cover behind a mound of sea ice and peeped as the icebreaker went by. I remember the incredible beauty of the place. I also remember the sense of community that was forged among the diverse individuals that were onboard icebreaker Oden.

In the future, I hope that the science that I am involved in will continue to contribute to a better understanding of our natural environment. I also hope that the science that I am involved in can contribute to the development of context-specific solutions to emerging environmental issues. I also hope to continue inspiring young people to take action to protect the natural environment and to ensure that we engage in developments that are sustainable.

I have been inspired by many people. Indeed, the list would be too long if I had to name them individually. However, the common thread that links this diverse group of people is the fact that their lives have been characterized by service, they have been cheerleaders for both their peers and for those just starting out. These are people whose passion for the natural environment or humanity motivates them to action.

Get in touch with La Daana on her website, https://www.ladaanakanhai.com, and on Twitter @ladaanakanhai