Senior Lecturer, Biological Chemistry

The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Telephone: 868-662-2002 Ext. 83546

Email: nigel.jalsa@uwi.edu


Research Interests

Development of environmentally friendly controlled release fertilizers.

Development of catalysts with improved regio- and stereo-selectivity for various functional group transformations.

Synthesis of non-natural oligosaccharide analogues and evaluation of their utility as probes; and prophylactic medical therapies employing the principles of Metabolic Oligosaccharide Engineering.

Design and deployment of novel protecting groups which are regioselective, directing; robust to common synthetic transformation, but easily chemoselectively deprotected.

Synthesis of Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) and the study of their unique physical, chemical and biological properties.

Synthesis of novel carbohydrate/cyclodextrin derivatives and evaluation of their drug-delivery capabilities and plasticization properties.

Selected Publications

Journal Articles:

Mohammed, C.; Lalgee, L.; Kistow, M.; Jalsa, N.; *Ward, K. On the binding affinity and thermodynamics of sodium alginate-heavy metal ion interactions for efficient adsorption. Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications 2022, 3, 100203. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.carpta.2022.10020.

Ladeira Vidal, J.; Yavitt, B. M.; Wheeler, M. D.; Kolwich, J. L.; Donovan, L. N.; Sit, C. S.; Hatzikiriakos, S. G.; Jalsa, N. K.; MacQuarrie, S. L.; *Kerton, F. M. Biochar as a sustainable and renewable additive for the production of Poly (ε-caprolactone) composites. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy 2022, 25, 100586. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2021.100586.

Subratti, A.; Ladeira Vidal, J.; Lalgee, J. L.; Kerton, F. M.; *Jalsa, N. K. Preparation and characterization of biochar derived from the fruit seed of Cedrela odorata L and evaluation of its adsorption capacity with methylene blue. Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy 2021, 21, 100421. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.scp.2021.100421.

Subratti, A.; *Lalgee, J. L.; Jalsa, N. K. Synthesis and interfacial properties of glyco-lipophosphoramidates Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and   Engineering Aspects. 2021, 611, 125867. DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.125867.

Subratti, A.; Ramkissoon, A.; Lalgee, J. L.; *Jalsa, N. K. Synthesis and evaluation of the antibiotic-adjuvant activity of carbohydrate-based phosphoramidate derivatives. Carbohydrate Research. 2021, 500, 108216. DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2020.108216.

Subratti, A.; Lalgee, J. L.; *Jalsa, N. K. Robust, Efficient, and Economical Magnetic Stirrer: A Device Based on Pulsed Width Modulation, Built Using Mainly Recycled Parts. Journal of Chemical Education. 2020, 97, 305-307. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00395.

Mohammed, A.; Bissoon, R.; Bajnath, E.; Mohammed, K.; Lee, T.; Bissram,   M.; John, N.; Jalsa, N. K.; Lee, K.-Y.; Ward, K. Multistage extraction and purification of waste Sargassum natans to produce sodium alginate: An optimization approach. Carbohydrate Polymers 2018, 198, 109-118. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.06.067.

Walters, A. U. C.; Lawrence, W.; *Jalsa, N. K. Chemical laboratory safety awareness; attitudes and practices of tertiary students. Safety Science 2017, 96, 161-171. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2017.03.017.

Book Chapters:

Subratti, A.; Bhongade, B.; Jalsa, N.K. Synthesis of 2,2,2-Trifluoroethyl Glucoside and Mannoside via Classical Fischer Glycosylation. Carbohydrate Chemistry: Proven Synthetic Methods Volume 5, 2021, CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.

Subratti, A.; Devo, P.; Jalsa, N.K. Synthesis of Glucosyl Ethyl and Butyl Phosphoramidates. Carbohydrate Chemistry: Proven Synthetic Methods Volume 5, 2021, CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.

Provisional Patent

Roopnarine, R.; Lalgee, L.J.; Jalsa, N.K. (2026). Cyclodextrin Ester Plasticizer Compositions, Plasticized Polymer Compositions, and Methods of Plasticizing Thermoplastic Polymers. U.S. Provisional Patent Serial No. 64/065,432.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2010)
  • BSc. Chemistry and Biochemistry (First Class Honors), The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2005)
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Affiliate (2001)

Fellowships and Training

  • Association of Commonwealth Universities Blue Charter Fellowship, Studies on the degradation of plastics in the marine environment. Undertaken at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada (2018)
  • Synthetic Biology: Engineering, Evolution and Design, Boston, MA (2015)
  • PG Certificate in University Teaching and Learning, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, with Distinction (2013)
  • Techniques for Characterization of Carbohydrate Structure of Polysaccharides, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, University of Georgia, (2012)

Professional Experience

  • Acting Head of Department - Department of Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (June - August 2024)
  • Founding member of the Trinidad and Tobago Chemical Society (TTCS, launched 2021)
  • Chair, Chief Examiner and Founding member, of the Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad (TTChO, 2018 – Present)
  • Head Mentor at the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) in Zurich, Switzerland (2023) and Remote IChO Japan (2021)
  • Scientific Observer at Remote IChO Turkey (2020) and IChO Paris, France (2019)
  • Coordinator of the Green Chemistry Workshop at the Department of Chemistry, UWI St. Augustine; facilitated by Professor Francesca Kerton and Professor Christopher Kozak (Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, 2019)
  • Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS), Committee for DME/LPG blend - Member
  • Reviewer for various scientific journals including: Catalysis Communications, Journal of Chemical Education, Safety Science, Organic Letters, Medicinal Chemistry Communications, European Journal of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry

Featured Work

Honours and Awards

  • Outstanding Service to The Development of The Guild of Students - Academic Staff (2022)
  • Excellence in Research – PhD, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (2009/2010)

UWI Service

  • Academic Board – St. Augustine; Faculty of Science and Technology Representative (2024 – Present)
  • Campus Committee on Examinations - St. Augustine; Faculty of Science and Technology Representative (2021 – Present)
  • Member of Standing Committees of Faculty Board – Outreach, Entrance
  • Chair of Departmental Committees – Outreach, Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry Olympiad, Undergraduate Chemical Society
  • Member of Departmental Committees – ChemIA (Club Advisor), Curriculum Review
  • Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), Innovation and Knowledge Exchange Platform (IKEP) digital platform, UWI Representative
  • Outreach: In conjunction with the Deputy Dean for Outreach, I am responsible for devising and implementing strategies to attract high school students to the Department of Chemistry. This includes school visits and online workshops / webinars
  • Herbal Medicine Research committee – Member (2018 – present)
  • Thesis Examiner – many M.Phil, MSc, Ph.D

Public Service

  • Identification of Plants and Plant-derived chemicals with the potential for abuse - Narcotic and Psychotropic Effects, Drug Inspectorate, Ministry of Health
  • Joint Select Committee on Social Services and Public Administration of the 11th Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago - Inquiry into the potential benefits of non-traditional medications in the treatment of non-communicable diseases in Trinidad and Tobago
  • Public seminars on the medicinal potential of Cannabis; Panel Discussion at FST Science and Technology Week - Cannabis, Science and The Issues (2019)

Professional Memberships

  • Affiliate of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC)
  • Society for Glycobiology
  • Chemists Without Borders

Courses Taught

  • CHEM 0100/CHEM 0200 (Preliminary Chemistry I/II) – Course Coordinator
  • CHEM 1068 (Introduction to Chemistry III)
  • CHEM 2370 (Physical Chemistry I)
  • CHEM 3370 (Physical Chemistry II)
  • CHEM 3564 (Principles of Polymer Chemistry)
  • CHEM 3870 (Principles of Chemical Biology)
  • CHEM 3871 (Methods in Chemical Biology)
  • CHEM 6461 (Advanced Topics in Bioanalytical Chemistry)
  • CHEM 6560 (Introduction to Research Techniques in Chemistry)
  • CHEM 6562 (Advanced Topics in Polymer Chemistry)

Research Projects

  • Synthesis of Cyclodextrin analogues, and evaluation of their physical, chemical and biological properties
  • Synthesis and evaluation of novel Carbohydrate based plasticizers
  • Design of Slow-release, environmentally friendly fertilizers
  • Synthesis of biologically important oligosaccharides
  • Synthesis and evaluation of carbohydrate-based surfactants
  • Isolation and Characterization of Lectins from Natural Sources
  • Establishment of a fungal repository

Graduate Students

  • Sandra Latchman, Co-supervised with Professor Paul Reese (PhD, current)
  • Afraz Subratti (awarded PhD with High Commendations, 2021)
  • Stacy P. Ali (awarded PhD, 2018)
  • MPhil Chemistry (12): Successfully completed (6), In progress (6)
  • MSc Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health (31): Successfully completed with Distinction (18) including 3 students who achieved Most Outstanding Student Performance

Grants

  • Various research projects, Principal Investigator, Project Funding ~ TT$ 300,000 Campus Research and Publication (CRP) Fund, UWI
  • Studies on the degradation of plastics in the marine environment, Association of Commonwealth Universities Blue Charter Fellowship 2018, Funding: £10,000 (Project undertaken at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada)
  • Novel Riminophenazines for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of drug-resistant microbial infections, RDI-IPOC Grant, 2019-2021 (Collaborator)
  • Studies on commercialization of novel phyto-biostimulants derived from seaweeds for sustainable agriculture, RDI-IPOC Grant, 2019-2021 (Collaborator)

Top of Page