Lecturer, Organic Chemistry

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

Telephone: 868-662-2002 Ext 83538

Email: yomica.powder@uwi.edu


Research Interests

Nature is the world's most accomplished organic chemist, generating an extraordinary diversity of structurally complex and biologically active molecules that continue to inspire modern drug discovery and the development of functional materials. Harnessing the rich and underexplored biodiversity of Trinidad and Tobago, my research lies at the interface of natural products chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacognosy, with the goal of translating natural products into innovative solutions for human health and sustainable development.

My research encompasses the bioprospecting, discovery, isolation, structural characterization, and semi-synthetic modification of bioactive natural products to generate novel lead compounds and functional ingredients for applications in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, cosmetic, and nutraceutical industries. By integrating bioassay-guided discovery with modern synthetic organic chemistry, I aim to identify promising lead compounds and optimize their biological and physicochemical properties.

Current research focuses on the design and synthesis of natural product-inspired analogues, structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies, and the development of compound libraries to optimize potency, selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, and safety profiles. Biological investigations target compounds with anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insecticidal activities. My research also incorporates computational approaches, including molecular modelling and molecular docking, to support rational compound design and accelerate lead optimization.

Selected Publications

Mohammed, F.K., Powder-George, Y.L., Maharaj, D., Ramudit, A. “Experiences, challenges and recommendations from emergency remote learning: the perspectives of university chemistry students in a small island developing state” Research in Science & Technological Education, 2025, 1-20.

Powder-George, Y.L., Kukula-Koch, W.A., Widelski, J. (2024) Alkaloids. In Pharmacognosy: Fundamentals, Applications and Strategies, Second Edition. Ed. Badal-Mc Creath, S., Clement, Y.N. Elsevier Science: Academic Press. ISBN: 9780443186578, pp 167-209.

Powder-George, Y.L., Ludwiczuk, A., Skalicka-Woźniak, K., Georgiev, M. I (2024) Terpenoids. In Pharmacognosy: Fundamentals, Applications and Strategies, Second Edition. Ed. Badal-Mc Creath, S., Clement, Y.N. Elsevier Science: Academic Press. ISBN: 9780443186578, pp 253-294.

Powder-George, Y.L., Deonarine, R. “Antidiabetic potential of selected ethnomedicines utilized for the management of diabetes mellitus in Trinidad and Tobago: A review.” Current Diabetes Reviews 2023, 19, 92-99.

Eccles, K., Powder-George, Y.L., Mohammed, F.K., Khan, A. “Efficacy of Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg extracts on contact mortality, repellency, oviposition deterrency and fumigant toxicity of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera:Bruchidae)” International Journal of Pest Management 2019, 65, 72-78.

Powder-George, Y.L., Salandy, L., Mohammed, F.K., Khan, A. “Bioactivity of Clusia palmicida leaf and fruit extracts against cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Coleoptera:Bruchidae)” Journal of Biologically Active Products from Nature 2018, 8, 247-254.

Powder-George, Y.. “Secondary Metabolites from the leaves and stems of Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae)” Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research 2018, 2, 293-296.

Seepersaud, M., Ramkissoon, A., Seecharan, S., Powder-George, Y., Mohammed, F.K. “Environmental monitoring of heavy metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sargassum filipendula and Sargassum vulgare along the eastern coastal waters of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies” Journal of Applied Phycology 2018, 30, 2143-2154.

Powder-George, Y.L., Mohammed, F.K. “GC-MS analysis of the bioactive phytoconstituents of various organic crude extracts from the seed kernels of Manilkara bidentata (balata) collected in Trinidad, W.I.” Natural Product Research 2018, 32, 358-361.

Aitken, R.A., Bouquet, J., Frank, J., Gidlow, A.L.G., Powder, Y.L., Ramsewak, R.S., Reynolds, W.F. “Isolation, structure determination and synthesis of a trichlorodihydroxybibenzyl from a terrestrial plant” RSC Advances, 2013, 3, 7230-7232.

Frank, J.H., Powder-George, Y.L., Ramsewak, R.S., Reynolds, W.F. “Variable-temperature 1H-NMR studies on two C-glycosylflavones” Molecules, 2012, 17, 7914-7926.

Powder-George, Y., Frank, J., Ramsewak, R.S., Reynolds, W.F. “The Use of Coupled HSQC Spectra to Aid in Stereochemical Assignments of Molecules with Severe Proton Spectral Overlap” Phytochemical Analysis, 2012, 23, 274-277.

Qualifications

  • Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus (2023)
  • Ph.D. Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus (2011)
  • B.Sc. Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus (2004)

Fellowships and Training

  • CETL1002: Generative AI in Higher Education: Teaching and Learning, UWI, St. Augustine, 2026
  • Schrödinger Computational Molecular Modelling in Drug Discovery (Maestro, LiveDesign, Glide) 2025
  • Cosmetic Formulation: Society of Cosmetic Chemists & Manhattan University, New York, 2025
  • American Chemical Society (ACS) Outreach Training Course, 2024
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Commonwealth of Learning Course, 2024
  • Understanding Open Educational Resources (OER) Commonwealth of Learning Course, 2024
  • Coaching and Mentoring, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England, 2023
  • Postdoctoral Research in Organic Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA, 2022-2023
  • Educating in Changing Times: Reflect, Rethink, Rebuild, United Nations University for Peace, Centre for Executive Education, 2022
  • Extensive professional training in Active Learning, Gamification, POGIL, Augmented Reality, Assessments, Peer Observation, Effective Course Design, Curriculum Development, AI in Higher Education and AI Drug Discovery

Professional Experience

  • Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. (2021-Present)
  • Instructor III in Organic Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. (2012-2021)
  • Adjunct Lecturer in Chemistry, The Department of Natural and Life Sciences, COSTAATT, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. (2010-2012)
  • Teaching Assistant in Organic Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. (2010-2012)
  • Laboratory Demonstrator in Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. (2004-2010)
  • Laboratory Technician, The Water and Sewerage Authority, Scarborough, Tobago (2000)

Featured Work

Skills

  • Natural products chemistry
  • Medicinal chemistry and Pharmacognosy
  • Organic synthesis and Semi-synthesis for Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) studies and lead optimization
  • 1D/2D NMR, UV-Vis, FT-IR Spectroscopy and HRESIMS for structure elucidation
  • Advanced Extraction and Chromatographic purification techniques
  • Biological activity screening protocols to evaluate bioactive compounds
  • Ethnopharmacology
  • Active, inclusive, learner-centred, and technology-enhanced higher education teaching

Honours and Awards

  • The UWI/Guardian Life of The Caribbean Limited Premium Teaching Awards (2024)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Advance HE, UK (2024) – International professional recognition for excellence in higher education teaching and learning aligned with the UK Professional Standards Framework
  • Audrey Bingel Fellowship, American Society of Pharmacognosy Foundation (2022)
  • Scholarship to pursue the course Educating in Changing Times: Reflect, Rethink and Rebuild, United Nations-established University for Peace’s Centre for Executive Education (2021)
  • The UWI Postgraduate Scholarship (2008-2010)
  • The Tobago House of Assembly Undergraduate Scholarship (2001-2004)

UWI Service

  • Chemistry Representative, FST Standing Committee of Faculty Board: Information and Communication Technology (ICT Advisory Committee) 2025-Present
  • Chemistry Representative, FST Standing Committee of Faculty Board: Examination Quality Assurance Committee (EQAC) 2024-Present
  • Chemistry Representative, FST Standing Committee of Faculty Board: Outreach 2024-2025
  • Chemistry Representative, FST Standing Committee of Faculty Board: Prizes 2022-Present
  • Contributor to the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) initiatives and mentoring of colleagues pursuing Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy 2024-Present
  • Member, Chemistry Department Curriculum Review and Reform (CRRC) Committee 2024-Present
  • Member, Chemistry Department Outreach Committee 2024-Present
  • Member, Chemistry Department First Year Students’ Orientation Planning Committee 2024-Present
  • Member, Chemistry Department Staff-Student Liaison Committee 2016-Present
  • Coordinator, The Chemistry Review Centre (Formerly Chemistry Help Desk) 2015-Present

Public Service

  • Member, Organising Committee, Catering and Hospitality, 2nd Commonwealth Chemistry Congress, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2023
  • Sponsor, The Dr. Yomica L. Powder-George Award for Academic Excellence in Chemistry, Bishop’s High School, Tobago 2022-Present
  • Member, Organizing Committee, Head of Media and Advertising, Biennial Regional Chemistry Conference and EXPO on Chemical Science, Technology, and Industry, 2019
  • Reviewer for various journals including Natural Product Research and International Journal of Analytical Chemistry

Professional Memberships

  • Fellow, Higher Education Academy, Advance HE, UK (FHEA)
  • Member, Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC)
  • Member, American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • Member, American Society of Pharmacognosy (ASP)
  • Member, Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC)
  • Member, Division of Chemical Education (DivCHED)
  • Member, Phytochemical Society of Europe (PSE)
  • Member, Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA)
  • Member, International Society for Ethnopharmacology (ISE)
  • Member, Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)

Courses Taught

  • CHEM 1067 Introduction to Chemistry II (Undergraduate; Lecturer; 2013-Present)
  • CHEM 1068 Introduction to Chemistry III (Undergraduate; Lecturer and 2nd Examiner; 2013-Present)
  • CHEM 2270 Organic Chemistry I (Undergraduate; Lecturer; 2013-Present)
  • CHEM 3268 Chemistry of Natural Products (Undergraduate; Lecturer; 2017-Present)
  • CHEM 3270 Organic Chemistry II (Undergraduate; Lecturer; 2014-Present)
  • CHEM 3575 Chemistry and Industry I (Undergraduate; Lecturer and 2nd Examiner; 2014-Present)
  • CHEM 3576 Chemistry of Medicines (Undergraduate; Lecturer; 2021-Present)
  • CHEM 6260 Advanced Topics in Spectroscopy & Organic Synthesis (Postgraduate; Lecturer; 2024-Present)
  • CHEM 6560 Introduction to Research Techniques in Chemistry (Postgraduate; Lecturer; 2024-Present)
  • OESH 6700 M.Sc. OESH Research Project (Postgraduate; Research Project & Thesis Supervisor; 2015-Present)

Graduate Students

  • Chelsea Ragoo (M. Phil. Chemistry) 2024-Present
  • Vishma Ramsumair (M. Sc. OESH) Awarded 2023
  • Shevon Ali (M. Sc. OESH) Awarded 2016

Grants

  • American Chemical Society Chemistry Festival Grant to fund chemistry outreach activities for Post-SEA (Secondary Entrance Examination) students in primary schools in Trinidad and Tobago, 2024 (US$3,000) - Principal Investigator
  • The American Society of Pharmacognosy Foundation Audrey Bingel Fellowship Funding for Postdoctoral Research, 2022 (US$25,000)
  • UWI Campus Research and Publication Fund 2021 (TT$75,000) - Co-Investigator
  • UWI Campus Research and Publication Fund 2021 (TT$74,829) - Co-Investigator

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