A. Personal Statement

I am a tenured Professor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies (UWI) at Mona, and I coordinate several courses for undergraduate and graduate students in Microbiology and Molecular Biology. I have been involved in research in public health related infectious diseases (mainly in Jamaica) for the past 30+ years, particularly in infectious diseases as well as in areas of basic medical sciences, including molecular signal transduction in diabetes and hypertension research. An important aspect of my research has been to enhance research capacity and foster collaboration in molecular ecological investigation of leptospirosis in Jamaica. Over the past decade, I carried out research and secondary data analysis on post-mortem detection of Leptospira in clinical samples, the effect of climatic variables on the incidence of leptospirosis, and virulence characteristics of the bacteria. Further, I have collaborated with colleagues at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, to assess risk of leptospirosis based on detection of leptospiral DNA in potable water samples in selected rural and urban communities in Jamaica. As the Department Coordinator for the 6-credit graduate course, Understanding Research, I have been involved in academic advising/mentorship and development of graduate students at UWI. I have also participated in international roles as mentor of predoctoral and post-doctoral scientists. I previously served as a Council Member of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (2012-2020) and was a Fulbright Fellow in 2010. I have served on the Council on Microbial Sciences of the American Society for Microbiology (both as Councilor and Vice Chair). Further, as a senior academic, I am in an excellent position to advance academic mentorship and development. Together, these attributes will assist is achieving the vision and mission of the AIG, particularly in relation to innovative approaches to solve some of the microbial challenges facing the African region and the diaspora.

Ongoing and recently completed projects that I would like to highlight include:

04/2021-03/2022

Heavy metal and disinfectant resistance in mixed biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

04/2018-02/2023

Global Infectious Diseases Research Training Program (D43 TW010919)

02/2016-10/2020

Investigation of the role of the stringent response in stress tolerance and antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and its contribution to in vivo pathogenesis

04/2017-10/2019

Longitudinal assessment of gut microbiome composition of healthy undergraduate science students at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica

1. Positions, Scientific Appointments and Honors

Positions and Employment

2017- Professor of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The UWI, Mona, Jamaica

2009-2017 Senior Lecturer, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The UWI, Mona, Jamaica

2001-2009 Lecturer in Microbiology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The UWI, Mona, Jamaica

 

Other Experience and Professional Memberships

2017-2021 & 

2022-present Council Member, Council on Microbial Sciences, American Society for Microbiology 

2021-present Regular member, Microbiology Society, UK

2017-2018 Vice-Chair, Council on Microbial Sciences, American Society for Microbiology

2015-present Associate Editor in Infectious Diseases, Frontiers in Medicine, Microbiology and Public Health

2012-2020 Council Member, International Society for Infectious Diseases

2011-present Fellow (Member), Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, UK

2010 Fulbright Fellowship Y09 (University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, St. Paul, Minnesota)

2010-present Regular Member, Jamaica Fulbright Alumni Association

2005-present Regular Member, Caribbean Association of Clinical Microbiologists

2004-present Regular Member, International Society for Infectious Diseases

2004-present Regular Member, American Society for Microbiology

 

Honours

2021 Spotlight Award from the African Initiative Group for Microbiology

2018 Principal’s Research Award for Best Research Publication (article), Faculty of Medical Sciences for 2017, The UWI, Mona [Temperature and oxidative stress as triggers for virulence gene expression in pathogenic Leptospira spp.]

2016 Principal’s Research Award for Best Research Publication (article), Faculty of Medical Sciences for 2015, UWI, Mona [Multiple antibiotic resistance, fitness and virulence potential in respiratory isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Jamaica. J Med Microbiol 65 (4), 261-271]

2014 Certificate for Excellence in Reviewing (2014) from the Journal of Infection and Public Health (Elsevier)

2013 Certificate for Excellence in Reviewing (2013) from the International Journal of Infectious Diseases (Elsevier)

2013 Principal’s Research Award for Best Research Publication (article), Faculty of Medical Sciences for 2012, UWI, Mona [A Comparative Analysis of the Attachment of Leptospira interrogans and L. borgpetersenii to Mammalian Cells. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol 65:105-115]

2011 Recognition of outstanding service to the International Board of the American Society for Microbiology

2006 American Society of Microbiology Early Career Travel Award

C.  Contributions to Science

Over 60 publications:

1. Global Health: Leptospirosis continues to be an important underreported zoonosis that affects millions of persons worldwide. As an infectious disease researcher, my contributions have included the effect of climate variables, risk analysis, and the role of socio-economic factor in diseases transmission.
2. Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases: As a molecular microbiologist, I have been interested in the molecular diagnosis and epidemiology of infectious diseases and elucidating the role of various factors in the infection and disease process. 
3. Basic Science and Molecular Biology: In the area of diabetes, I have contributed to study design to investigate nitric oxide-mediated signal transduction in in vivo and in vitro systems. More recently, studies have included cadmium-induced hypertension and molecular dysfunction.