Senior Lecturer, Organic Chemistry

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

Telephone: 868-662-2002 Ext. 85300

Email: russel.ramsewak@uwi.edu


Research Interests

My research is focused on the discovery of biologically active compounds with varying structural diversity from terrestrial plants and marine organisms (examples 1 and 2). Specimens are collected and extracted exhaustively to yield crude extracts, which are screened in several benchtop bioassays to determine biological activity. The active extract is then fractionated using the full spectrum of chromatographic techniques, including HPLC. Structural elucidation of the pure compounds utilizes various spectroscopic techniques such as UV, IR, MS, and NMR, as well as X-ray crystallography. In conjunction with colleagues at universities abroad and our own facility at the department, these pure compounds are screened in several bioassays which include antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifeedant, anti-inflammatory, mosquitocidal, nematocidal and cytotoxicity.

In addition, biologically active compounds, which are isolated in large quantities, will be subjected to structure-activity relationship studies. This will involve the chemical modification of the compound using simple chemical reactions such as hydrolysis, esterifications, oxidations and reductions. These derivatives will then be bioassayed and the results analysed to determine which part(s) of the molecule is responsible for the biological activity. This information is very useful for the worldwide drug discovery programme, the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad (1996)
  • B.Sc. in Chemistry (First Class Honours), The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad (1990)

Fellowships and Training

  • ORCBS Safety Training (OSHA and MIOSHA compliant), Michigan State University
  • Setting Valid Examination Papers (2005)
  • Writing Exam Questions (2004)
  • Mark Schemes, Marking and Grading (2004)
  • Critical Thinking Workshop (2004)
  • Preparing a Course for Online Delivery (2003)
  • Effective Assessment: The Student Portfolio (2003)
  • Rubrics – A Strategy for Improving Assessment (2003)
  • Orientation for New Members of Staff (2000)

Professional Experience

  • Senior Lecturer (Tenured, 2009), Department of Chemistry, UWI, St. Augustine (2014 – Present)
  • Deputy Dean (Facilities and Safety), Faculty of Science and Technology, UWI, St. Augustine (2015 – 2021)
  • Part-time Lecturer / Adjunct Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, UWI, St. Augustine & Five Islands Campus, Antigua (2008 – Present)
  • Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, UWI, St. Augustine (2000 – 2014)
  • Research Associate, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University (1996 – 2000)
  • Assistant Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, UWI, St. Augustine (1996 – 1996)
  • Demonstrator / Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemistry, UWI, St. Augustine (1990 – 1996)

Skills

  • Chemical / Analytical: TLC, VLC, Flash and gravity column chromatography, MPLC, HPLC, GC, GC/MS, LC/MS systems, NMR Spectroscopy, CD/ORD spectropolarimeter, UV & UV-Vis spectrophotometer
  • Microbial: Aseptic techniques, culture maintenance and growth
  • Bioassays: Anti-inflammatory assays (COX-1/COX-2), antioxidant assays (fluorescent techniques), mosquitocidal, insecticidal, antimicrobial, brine shrimp lethality assays
  • Safety & Administration: OSHA/MIOSHA safety coordinator experience, facility risk assessment, hazard mitigation, safety auditing
  • Computer: MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), ChemDraw, Chemprint, ISIS Draw, WordPerfect 8.0

Honours and Awards

  • U.W.I. Postgraduate Scholarship (October 1990 – October 1993)
  • Dean’s Award for Postgraduate Research (Joint Recipient with Prof. B.S. Mootoo, 2000–2002)

UWI Service

  • Chair (2023–present) & Member (2019–2023), Departmental Curriculum Committee
  • Member, Faculty Curriculum Committee (2023–present)
  • Member, University Registrar’s Committee on Workload Policy (2018–present)
  • Deputy Dean – Physical Facilities & Safety (Faculty of Science and Technology, 2015–2021)
  • Chair, Faculty Maintenance and Safety Committee (2015–2021)
  • Member, St. Augustine Campus Health, Safety, Security and Environment Committee (2015–2021)
  • Member, Campus Registrar's Committee on Traffic, Parking and Transportation (2015–2021)
  • WIGUT Vice President (2013–2014; 2019–Present); President (2014–2015); Executive Member (2012–2013; 2015–2019); Chair/Member across key WIGUT committees
  • Faculty Co-ordinator & Steering Committee Representative for Research Days (2003)
  • Chairman, Faculty of Science and Agriculture Prize Giving Committee (2002–2008)

Public Service

  • Departmental Co-ordinator, CAPE Training Workshop for Teachers (Spectroscopy and Analytical Techniques, July–Aug 2007, July–Aug 2008)
  • Co-ordinator, Cambridge GCE Advanced Level Practical Examination in Chemistry for the Ministry of Education (2003–2008; Joint Co-ordinator in 2002)
  • Journal Reviewer for Molecules, Natural Product Communications, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Journal of Chemical Crystallography

Professional Memberships

  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • OSHA & MIOSHA Trained Member

Courses Taught

  • CHEM 2270 Organic Chemistry I (Lecturer and 1st Examiner)
  • CHEM 3268 Chemistry of Natural Products (Lecturer and 1st Examiner)
  • CHEM 3270 Organic Chemistry II (Lecturer and 1st Examiner)
  • CHEM 3575 Chemistry and Industry I (Lecturer and 1st Examiner)
  • CHEM 3576 Chemistry of Medicines (Lecturer and 1st Examiner)
  • PHAR 1202 & PHAR 2202 – School of Pharmacy, UWI St. Augustine & Adjunct Lecturer for PHAR 1202 at Five Islands Campus, Antigua

Graduate Students

  • Nikhella Winter (Ph.D.) Co-Supervisor with Dr. Azad Mohammed 2019–Present
  • Amanda Rampersad (MPhil) Awarded 2017
  • Anissa Pierre-Gomes (MPhil) Awarded 2016
  • Sandra Latchman (MPhil) Awarded 2012
  • Yomica Powder-George (Ph.D.) Awarded 2011
  • Julia Frank (Ph.D.) Awarded 2011
  • Marie Mohammed (Ph.D.) Awarded 2009
  • Robert Fowles (Ph.D.) Awarded 2006
  • Sayad Ahamad (MPhil) Awarded 2004

Grants

  • Campus Research and Publication Fund Committee Grant (CRP. 7Z 1999/2000)

Publications and Presentations

Dr Russel Ramsewak Publications and Presentations.pdf


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