Advancing thermal management with innovation and inclusion
Esa Kerme, a distinguished mechanical engineer, is among the inaugural recipients of the Postdoctoral Fellowship for Black Scholars at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). His journey through academia is marked by a commitment to research, teaching and service.
Kerme's academic background is rooted in mechanical engineering, having earned his BSc and MSc degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Jimma University and King Saud University, respectively. He pursued his PhD at TMU, where his research focused on transient heat transfer modeling, simulation and performance analysis of borehole heat exchangers with two independent circuits.
His work has been widely recognized and published in various peer-reviewed international journals, including Energy, Renewable Energy, Applied Thermal Engineering, and others. Kerme's current research during his postdoctoral fellowship focuses on experimental and numerical heat transfer modeling, simulation and performance analysis of triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS)-based shapes, specifically gyroid and diamond structures. "These complex geometries hold immense potential for various engineering applications, particularly in thermal management, such as heat sinks for electronic cooling and thermal management systems for lithium-ion batteries," Kerme explains.
Being chosen as a recipient of the TMU Postdoctoral Fellowship for Black Scholars is a significant milestone for Kerme. "It’s a profound honor and a testament to TMU’s commitment to fostering Black flourishing and creating an environment where scholars from diverse backgrounds can thrive," he says.
"This fellowship not only recognizes my hard work and perseverance but also highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion within academia. It provides a platform for me to further my research, collaborate with leading experts and contribute to meaningful advancements in my field."
Kerme is acutely aware of the unique challenges faced by Black scholars and is committed to using this opportunity to inspire the next generation. "This fellowship motivates me to strive for excellence and support initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion in academia and beyond.”
Throughout the fellowship, Kerme will be supervised by Ziad Saghir, a professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering. “I have always been passionate about supporting fellow researchers from minority communities," said Saghir. “In my work, I am committed to treating all people with equal respect, regardless of their origin, race, or educational background."
Looking ahead, Kerme has ambitious plans for the future. "After this fellowship, I aim to lead advancements in thermal management technologies, focusing on developing more efficient cooling solutions for electronics and batteries," he shares. Kerme hopes to collaborate with industry partners to bring these innovations to market and pursue a tenure-track faculty position at a leading university. "I aspire to establish a dedicated research lab focused on innovative thermal management solutions, foster collaboration with industry partners, and secure funding for my projects. Additionally, I plan to mentor graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, guiding them to become future leaders in mechanical engineering," he adds.
About the Postdoctoral Fellowship for Black Scholars
Black scholars are among the most underrepresented in post-doctoral and tenured faculty positions and university leadership. To address systemic barriers and respond to recommendations of the (PDF file) Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report, TMU launched the Postdoctoral Fellowships for Black Scholars program in December 2022.
The fellowship was developed by the Faculty Working Group in collaboration with the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and funded through the Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism (PICCABR) and the Office of the Provost. The program seeks to expand and advance Black scholars and the Afro-centric intellectual traditions, support their academic endeavours, contribute to broader, meaningful inclusion of Black scholars, expand opportunities for research capacity in the institution and the wider community, and support career development and career investment for Black scholars.
In its inaugural year, over fifty applications were received from across Canada, with four fellowships awarded to Joseph Adu, Ashley Jane Lewis, Teshager Kefale and Esa Kerme.
The next call for applications is expected to be in December 2024, with fellowships being made available in fall 2025.
Confronting Anti-Black Racism at TMU
This initiative is just one of many outcomes in response to the 14 recommendations of the
(PDF file) Anti-Black Racism Campus Climate Review Report, published by the Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI) in 2020.
The Presidential Implementation Committee to Confront Anti-Black Racism is a group of close to 50 dedicated individuals from across the university who have created action plans to implement those recommendations and cultivate Black flourishing on campus, and beyond. Learn about the report and the progress of recommendations in the Cultivating Black Flourishing report.