Presenter Bios
Alisha Ali
Alisha Ali has double major Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Government and Master of Science in Sociology with Distinction from the University of the West Indies (UWI). Currently a researcher in the public sector, her passion for education was nurtured at UWI as a tutor for two years and at the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago where she co-published articles in their magazines. Formerly an executive member of the Caribbean Tertiary Level Personnel Association and recipient of their Emerging Professional Award for 2013, Alisha also co-presented a paper on “new traditional” students in higher education at the Local Chapter’s 2013 Seminar.
Dianna Baptiste-Pantin
Dianna Baptiste-Pantin has graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Southern Caribbean with a BSc in Psychology. She completed her MSc in Mediation Studies at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Her research focuses on the experiences of the elderly so as to bring awareness to the silently evolving phenomena of Elder Mistreatment. Mrs. Baptiste-Pantin career spanned from having taught secondary school for over fifteen years, Social Work and she is currently working as a Life Skills Facilitator with MIC Institute of Technology, as she continues her passion to help those that are less fortunate.
Shermaine Belgrave-Ramdial
Shermaine Belgrave-Ramdial earned a B.Sc. in Sociology (major) and Psychology (minor)- First Class Honours and a Diploma in Public Sector Management -Distinction from the UWI, St. Augustine. She is a scholarship recipient pursuing a M.Sc. in Sociology. She is a part-time tutor and has guest lectured in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, UWI. Further, she is the secretary for the Trinidad and Tobago Association for Differently-Abled Persons (TTADAP). A major future goal is to become a Health Sociologist. Currently, she is engaged in a research that is focused on maternal experiences in caring for a child with Sickle Cell Disease.
Angélica Rodríguez Bencosme
After earning a B.A. in Design, Angélica Rodríguez Bencosme became a furniture designer. She then completed a Diploma at the Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña and a Master’s Degree at the Universidad de Nebrija—both interdisciplinary studies of furniture and domestic space. Following this she lectured at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) and attained a Master’s in Education from the Tecnológico de Monterrey. In 2013, she published the book El Mueble de Madera Dominicano, aiming to rediscover design as a tool for social inclusion. Currently lecturing at INTEC, Angélica is pursuing a Ph.D. at the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
Alaina Loraine Boochoon (MSW, B.Sc.)
Alaina has been a practicing Social Worker for the past seven years. She completed her Masters of Social Work with distinction in 2014 at UWI, St Augustine. She completed a Bachelors of Science in Social Work, with a Minor in Social Policy in 2008 and a Certificate in Speech and Language Pathology in 2011, also with UWI St Augustine. Alaina practiced as a Psychiatric Social Worker with the Child Guidance Clinic, South-West Regional Health Authority for six years, and is now employed with the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
Shenelle Boyce
Shenelle Boyce is currently pursuing her MPhil in Psychology. Her studies concentrate on the ways in which Cognitive Psychology can help to develop learning tools which can be employed within the classroom. Her present research focuses specifically on the tool, argument mapping, and its correlates to critical thinking; assessing its implications for practice within the region, as well as the interrelated role of motivation on the development of critical thinking skills. Her hope, is to focus on the concrete ways in which critical thinking skills can be developed among tertiary level students within the Caribbean.
Samantha Chadee
Samantha Chadee is a full time postgraduate student, pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). She holds a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from the University of the West Indies and a Masters in Environmental Science and Management from UTT. Ms Chadee enjoys research and, encouraged by her supervisors, she has made significant inroads into her current study of Urban Ecosystems in Trinidad and Tobago. She is supervised by Professor Valerie Stoute, a multi-disciplinary Applied Statistician and Chemist at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
Lisa FInch
Lisa Finch is currently pursuing her M.Sc. in Sociology at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. She graduated with a B.Sc. in Sociology, with minors in Psychology and Human Resource Management from the same university. Her areas of interest include the elderly especially homebound elderly and young persons’ perceptions about their body. Her future goal is to make a significant change in Trinidad and Tobago.
Anthony DJ Gafoor
Anthony DJ Gafoor is a Judge and Chairman of the Tax Appeal Court of Trinidad and Tobago (Superior Court of Record). He holds several qualifications in the fields of law, conflict resolution, international relations, theology, philosophy and the Classics. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK as well as a Senior Lecturer in Mediation Studies, Ethics and International Law. He has been engaged in researching on the impact of regional courts with specific reference to the Caribbean Court of Justice and regional integration.
Arturo Gonzalez
Arturo Gonzalez a graduate of the University of Belize received a CARPIMS scholarship to pursue a graduate degree at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus in Tourism Development and Management. Arturo is in pursuit of introducing a niche tourism product in the community of Orange Walk, Belize and under the supervision of Dr. Acolla Cameron was able to further this interest through his research thesis.
Arlene Hamblin
Ms Hamblin is facilitator with over 20 years experience. She has served in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and is currently employed with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service as a Program Specialist. She has studied in the area of psychology for five years and also has a Bachelors’ degree in sociology. Currently she is an M. Sc. Candidate in the area of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of the West Indies. She is the Founder Director of Anointed Sons International a Non-Governmental Organization actively conducting programs with young men at the Youth Training Centre.
Kathrine Inniss
Ms. Kathrine Inniss is a student at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, pursuing a MSc. in Sociology specializing in the areas of health sociology; ageing and policy development; social inequality; and social exclusion and demography. Her current thesis topic is Women Home Alone: the relationship between social support and health outcomes with reference to Tobago.
Rhonda Jaipaul-O’Garro
Rhonda Jaipaul-O’Garro is a marketing and communications professional with over 14 years’ experience in higher education. Currently, she is the Manager, Marketing & Communications at The University of the West Indies as well as a PhD candidate in UWI’s Faculty of Social Sciences researching social media and online communication. The Fulbright scholar, who confesses to being a social media junkie, recently returned to the Caribbean having completed a Fulbright/Hubert H. Humphrey fellowship at Arizona State University, the largest public university in the US. Rhonda spent academic year 2013-14 immersed in digital media, understanding how to leverage it for strategic communication and its applicability for the advancement of Caribbean higher education.
Siobhonn Job
Siobhonn Job is currently enrolled in the MPhil/PhD Psychology Programme of the University of the West Indies. Her research involves investigating social issues through a socio-cognitive psychological lens with current studies looking at attitudes towards abortion among Trinidadians and Tobagonians.
Michelle John
Michelle John holds a Bsc. and Msc. in Sociology from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. By profession, she is a Guidance Officer I employed with the Ministry of Education. Her Msc. thesis explored the role in which meanings are affixed by persons of African-descent to their natural hair. Situated around historical, political and social antecedents she examined the construction of a hair identity of natural-haired Caribbean women.
Keron King
Keron King holds a baccalaureate degree in Psychology with a double minor in International Relations and Management Information Systems from The University of the West Indies (UWI) where he graduated with Second Class Honours (Upper Division). He went on to pursue a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Criminology and Criminal Justice and subsequently upgraded his registration to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). His research interests lead him to question the nature of policing, police legitimacy and community oriented policing. He also has an interest in the systematic documentation of the practices of Trinidad and Tobago's Criminal Justice System. However his dissertation explores the experiences of residents of East Port of Spain with policing in their community. He loves God, people and justice.
Yasphal Kissoon
Yasphal Kissoon is currently an Msc Sociology student in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. He has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the same University. His research interests include social media and it's impact on social life, terrorism, and social conflict. In his spare time he enjoys watching football, gaming and playing music.
Karen Lancaster-Ellis
Karen Lancaster-Ellis is a post-grad student at the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies. Her research interest lies in the field of white collar crime, penology, policing, victimology and restorative justice. Karen has three publications to her name and is working on expanding her research work.
Kezra Lashley
Kezra Lashley hails from Maloney Gardens, Trinidad and Tobago. He attended the University of the West Indies (U.W.I.) where he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in French with International Relations (Honours). He recently attained his Master of Science degree in Global Studies from the Institute of International Relations, U.W.I. He is stimulated by the concept of development and the use of non-traditional mechanisms as drivers of this process. Moreover, he is keenly interested in the challenges global governance and Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.).
Sheryl Leacock
Sheryl Leacock is a Public Servant with over eighteen (18) years service. At present she is employed as a Programmer at the Service Commissions Department.Ms Leacock is currently pursuing a M.Sc. in Strategic Leadership and Management. Ms Leacock attained a B.Sc. Degree in Information Technology at the College of Science, Technology & Applied Arts of Trinidad & Tobago (COSTAATT) specialising in Networking. Additionally Ms Leacock is the holder of the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing and Switching certification. .Also, Ms Leacock is a member of the Association of Business Executives (ABE) UK for over fifteen (15) years. This was gained by qualifying in the area of Business Management and Marketing.Ms Leacock appreciates helping others through voluntary work, which directed her to participate in the Adult Literacy Tutor Association (ALTA) program for two (2) years. Ms Leacock relish a good book, experiencing new cultures and playing lawn tennis.
Samanth Onieka Mendoza
Samantha Mendoza has been involved in Social Work thirteen years. Her experiences span within the differently abled community, juvenile institutional system and HIV/AIDS/sexually transmitted infections. Ms. Mendoza holds qualifications in Social Work from University of the West Indies, St Augustine at the Certificate, Bachelor’s and Master’s levels, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the program. Her active involvement in the profession includes: part time tutoring, facilitating labs, practice and field supervision, also, volunteering as an active listener on the AIDS hotline. In her spare time Ms. Mendoza delights in outdoor activities ranging from hiking, kayaking, zip lining, aqua aerobics and walking for good health.
Linda Lila Mohammed (T.Dip; Cert. Ed; BSc; PhD; CPsychol.)
Dr. Linda Lila Mohammed graduated with a PhD in Developmental Psychology from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. She is currently as Assistant Professor attached to the Institute of Crime Justice and Public Safety at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Prior to her appointment at UTT, Dr. Mohammed lectured in Psychology at COSTAATT and the University of the West Indies and has taught at the secondary school for a number of years. She has published and presented at academic conferences both regionally and internationally. Her research interests include the impact of psychological variables on academic achievement, cyberbullying, depression in university students, internet addiction and criminalization of the mentally ill. Her current research projects include police perception of the mentally ill and police job satisfaction.
Bernadette Neptune
Bernadette Neptune holds a BA History/Social Sciences and MPhil Sociology, both degrees from the UWI, St. Augustine Campus. Her research interest is in the area of domestic violence and in particular the development of the abusive male personality within heterosexual marriage. Her functioning in the position of dean at Siparia West Secondary School, at one point a boys only institution, has stirred an even stronger interest in the problem of young male violence and aggression. Ms Neptune is also an avid reader of the original works of Sigmund Freud.
Karima Pragg
Karima Pragg is pursuing her Ph.D in Sociology at the UWI, St. Augustine campus. She is currently researching the factors that motivate students to enroll in the Faculty of Social Sciences and the stressors that affect their academic pursuits. She has presented papers at various regional academic conferences on this topic and has published an article accommodating the varying needs of the Caribbean’s diverse tertiary student body. Miss Pragg is currently engaged in researching the experiences of nontraditional tertiary students and has a forthcoming article on the challenges faced by such students at the St. Augustine campus. She is currently a research assistant attached to the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Reshma Ragoonath
Anna Reshma Ragoonath holds a BSc in Sociology with a minor in Criminology from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus. I am currently pursuing an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice System at the UWI St Augustine campus. My research interest includes relative deprivation, media and crime.
Sherry Ann Ramdeo
Sherry Ann Ramdeo is currently pursuing her M.Sc in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She attained a B.Sc in Psychology (Special) with a minor in Criminology at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus. Ms. Ramdeo is an advocate for the implementation of effective rehabilitation programs as a means of reducing recidivism among offenders and her current research focuses on recidivism among female offenders. She is currently an external part-time lecturer with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and her future goals are to attain her Ph.D in Criminology and Criminal Justice and to contribute academic literature to the region.
Paul Ramlogan
Paul Ramlogan has been a teacher for the past 11 years. He was a seminarian at the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs. He obtained my B.Ed. at the University of Trinidad and Tobago and have recently been awarded an M SC. in Government from UWI. His area of research focused upon Multiculturalism. He passionately believes that government polices must be grounded in sound theoretical foundations and not as the means to gain political capital, additionally he endorses the belief that a sound Multiculturalism policy can work in Trinidad and Tobago however, not in its current form.
Anngell Rampersad
Anngell Rampersad, resides in the countryside of Rio Claro, and holds both a Bachelors of Science and a Masters of Science in Sociology from the University of West Indies (St. Augustine campus). Currently, she is a secondary school teacher at Rio Claro West Secondary where she teaches Sociology, Caribbean Studies and Social Studies.
Videsh Rampersad
Videsh Dev Rampersad graduated in 2011 with a Bsc in Sociology, and a minor in Criminology. He is a candidate in the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the University of the West Indies. Currently employed as an Investigations Officer at the Police Complaints Authority and deeply interest in Police Reform, he believes that the problem facing crime fighting initiatives and policy is poor understanding, of the cultures that exist within Trinidad and Tobago and their impact on the institutions of law and order. As a result of his job he has come into contact with numerous young men and women who have had negative interactions with law enforcement and he has realised the family played the biggest role in why these young lives are being destroyed, as such his current research is on the family and juvenile delinquency, grounded in attachment theory.
Angélica Rodríguez
After a B.A in Design, Angélica Rodríguez Bencosme became a furniture designer. After completing a Diploma at the Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña and a Master’s degree at the Universidad de Nebrija - both interdisciplinary studies of furniture and domestic space - she lectured at the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) and attained a Master’s in Education from the Tecnológico de Monterrey. In 2013, she published the book “El Mueble de Madera Dominicano,” aiming to rediscover design as a tool for social inclusion.Currently lecturing at INTEC, Angélica is pursuing a Ph.D. at the Institute of Gender and Development Studies.
Jolene Romain
Jolene Romain is an Assistant Co-ordinator at the Social Services Unit, Family Court. She has been practicing at the Court for the past seven years, initially as an Assessment Officer, conducting investigations for the Court and subsequently as a Social Worker, providing counselling for families in distress. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work with a minor in International Relations, as well as a Master of Science Degree in Social Work with a clinical emphasis. Her research was inspired by her work at the Court with children beyond the control of their parents and guardians. The research, based on the life stories of eight girls, aimed to bring awareness to this phenomenon by understanding the factors contributing to its prevalence. Ms. Romain was the Social Sciences Valedictorian for the 2008 UWI Graduation exercise. She was also the recipient of the Krysta Lakpatsingh Award 2008 for the student that best exemplified the ideals of Social Work. In addition to her academic accomplishments, she is musical vocalist and works freely with various musicians, featuring mainly as a soloist.
Tyehimba Salandy
Tyehimba Salandy is a PhD candidate and part time Sociology lecturer at UWI St Augustine. His research interests reflect a multi-disciplinary approach that draws from the areas of Psychology, History, Cultural Studies and Sociology in an effort to better understand the complexities of Caribbean societies. Currently, his research focuses on Power and Hegemony in Post Independence Trinidad. He is also involved in the development of alternative media (via Trinicenter.com and others) that document local history and culture and examines international issues from a multiplicity of perspectives.
Jainap Seheult
Jainap Seheult is a part-time tutor and lecturer in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, UWI. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, with a Certificate in Public Administration, a BSc in Sociology with Minors in Human Resource Management and Psychology and an MSc in Sociology where her focus was on "Social Class and Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students in Trinidad". She is currently a Ph.D Sociology candidate at the University of the West Indies under the supervision of Dr. Nasser Mustapha researching the "Impact of Maternal Employment on the Behaviour Outcomes of Adolescents attending Secondary Schools in Trinidad". She presented at the 4th (2014) and 5th(2015) Annual UWI Postgraduate Cross-Disciplinary Research Degree Seminars on Crime and Crime-Related Topics.
Leslie-Ann Simon
Leslie-Ann Simon is currently pursuing a MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice after completing a BSc Psychology Special at the University of the West Indies. It is her hope to be employed in youth development and help create and implement social programs aimed at improving social relationships. Her current research is focused on discipline in schools but her future research goals lie in the areas of juvenile delinquency and restorative justice.
Kai-Ann D. Skeete
Kai-Ann D. Skeete is a Barbadian pursuing a PhD in International Relations with a focus on Regional Integration within the Caribbean. Her research interests include Caribbean integration, Latin American foreign policy and diplomacy, security studies and regional governance. Ms. Skeete is a regional trade consultant within CARICOM. Prior to this, Kai-Ann lectured in the MSc Integration Studies program at the UWI Cave Hill Campus. Ms. Skeete is an Affiliate of the CERIS – The Ontario Metropolis Centre and a member of the Caribbean Studies Association and the International Studies Association.
Nirmala Sookoo
Nirmala Sookoo is currently a Ph.D student in Criminology and Criminal Justice System at UWI. She hold a Masters in Sociology. Typical academic fields she purses are under Criminology, Sociology and Anthropology. Her research publications includes White Collar Crime in Trinidad and Tobago and Perceptions of Organisation Injustice and Alienation. Additionally, she has an upcoming publication entitled Fear of Crime: A Qualitative Approach in Understanding Fear of White Collar and Street Crime. She is currently doing research on social reproduction of fear, white collar crime and gender prejudice in the family court.
John Sylvester
John Sylvester is pursuing Ph.D studies in Criminology and Criminal Justice, in the Department of Behavioural Sciences, UWI, St. Augustine. John is also a Senior Lecturer and the Head of Department (HOD) of the Security Administration and Emergency Management Department at Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies where he developed many academic programmes over the past ten years. John has written papers on disaster preparedness and co-authored a course manual on disaster preparedness for the Commonwealth of Learning. He provide consultancy to the Ministries of National Security and Local Government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to provide disaster preparedness training to community members in Trinidad. John currently lectures to nursing students on “disaster nursing” at USC in Trinidad. His experiences as an educator and instructor/train-the-trainer have spanned forty years in Trinidad and Tobago and in the United States.
Academy. His interest includes Community policing and Ethics in law enforcement.
Ariel Z. Taylor
Ariel Z. Taylor is a M.Sc. student (Criminology and Criminal Justice) at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. She is the holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology (First Class Honours) with a minor in Criminology from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Ariel is also an active member of the Rotaract Club of Central Port of Spain where she holds the position of Vice-President. While her interest in the field of Criminology and Criminal Justice is wide ranging, her specific interest at this time lies in the relationship between the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the public they serve. Ms. Taylor dreams of becoming a wine connoisseur and hopes to undertake research which is high in applicability and which will positively impact the Trinidad and Tobagonian society.
Nigel Toussaint
Nigel Toussaint is a Criminology and Criminal Justice post graduate student at the University of the West Indies. He has eighteen years experience as a police officer where he has had the opportunity to work from 2010-2011 in the Community Policing Secretariat. He is currently attached to the Police Academy as an instructor where he teaches Police Procedures and Behavioural Sciences to Police inductees. With a commitment to developing customer service and communication skills in police recruits, he has worked closely with the National Training Agency (NTA) to further develop the Behavioural Sciences Program at the Police
Roshawn Trim
Roshawn Trim is the holder of a Bachelor of Law degree externally from the University of London, an associate degree in Criminal Justice and is currently in her final year of her Bachelor's of same; conducting her research practicum. Mrs. Trim was an educator for 6 years and loves the holistics of the criminal justice system
Shaka Trim
Shaka Trim has been a police officer in the TTPS for the past 11 years. Within that time he managed to attain an Associate degree with honours in Criminal Justice at the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago and subsequently a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in Criminal Justice - Police Science. His research was based on the factors affecting why persons fail to report crimes to the police. Once accepted by UWI to do his Master in Criminal Justice he intends to further this research.
Wendell C. Wallace
Wendell C. Wallace is an Attorney-at-Law and Criminologist who lectures on the both the undergraduate and graduate programmes in Criminology and Criminal Justice at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. He is the holder of a Bachelor of Arts degree (History and Human Resource Management), a Master of Science degree (Criminology and Criminal Justice with Distinction) and a Ph.D. (Criminology and Criminal Justice) from The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. He is also the holder of a law degree (LLB) from the University of London and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Bar Professional Training Course) from Northumbria University, Newcastle. He also holds of several certificates in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Security and Defense in the Caribbean. His research interest includes gangs, juvenile delinquency, policing, the tourism/crime relationship and law reform. Dr. Wallace is also interested in student development, hence the joint presentation with Miss Ariel Z. Taylor.
Allyce Woodhouse
Allyce Woodhouse is pursuing a MSc. Sociology at UWI, St. Augustine where she previously completed both a BSc. Sociology and a Post- graduate diploma in Secondary Education. Allyce is presently a Research Assistant at the Department of Behavioral Sciences. Her thirteen- year membership in the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force is where she generated the interest for the military studies. Evidently, her research project is an ethnographic study on how cadets understand leadership in a paramilitary setting and her other research interests include military sociology, gender and militarism, militarization and security.
