The Department of Life Sciences

 

Contact Information

Location

Project Details 

Research Interest

• Application of molecular tools for studying genetics and genetic diversity of indigenous microorganisms in contaminated soils in natural seeps in Trinidad
• The development and assessment of molecular approaches for metabolic diversity and potential bioremediation agents and their characterization
• Application of biochemical methods for screening hydrocarbon degrading capabilities of microorganisms

Projects

1. Detection of begomoviruses infecting dicotyledonous weed species in Trinidad, 2017
2. Genotyping of Donax in Trinidad, 2017
3. Detection and identification of pathogenic fungi infecting Papaya in Trinidad, 2017
4. Identification of oil-degrading fungi with potential mycoremediation of oil spills in Trinidad, 2017
5. The study of fungal pathogens infecting economically important crops, 2016- present
6. Testing molecular methods to identify microalgae, 2017
7. DNA extraction from honey for the botanical origin identification, 2017

Work Experience

1. Junior Research Assistant in Biochemistry, Department of Life Sciences,The University of the West Indies, 2016- 2018
2. Demonstrator in Biochemistry, Department of Life Sciences,The University of the West Indies, 2018 - present
3. Demonstrator in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry,The University of the West Indies, 2015-2016
4. Junior Research Assistant in Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry,The University of the West Indies, 2014
5. Human Resources Intern in The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, 2014

Conferences

1. August 30-September 1, 2021.  Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting with the DOE Joint Genome Institute at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy.
2. May 20-24, 2019. Science and Technology Week - Supporting Partnerships in Science, Technology & Innovation, with the Faculty of Science and Technology at the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies.
3. March 27-29, 2019. 3rd Biennial Oil & Gas Law Conference & The Just Transition Initiative Conference @ Hilton Trinidad, with the Faculty of Law at the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies.
4. April 6-7, 2017. Faculty of Science and Technology 7th Annual Research Symposium in association with Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI, St. Augustine Campus.
5. November 25-27, 2015. Cariscience Annual Conference and General Meeting 2015 by CARISCIENCE in association with the Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI St. Augustine Campus.
6. July 15-17, 2014. International Symposium on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology by CARISCIENCE in association with the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.

Workshops/Training

1. February 8, 2020. The UWI & CARIRI Entrepreneurship Workshop at the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies.
2. September 27, 2018. Research process, metrics, data, and visibility workshop by Elsevier, with the Alma Jordan Library, The UWI, St. Augustine Campus in collaboration with Elsevier.
3. December 4-8, 2017. UNU-BIOLAC Training on Molecular Diagnosis of Emerging Plant Diseases and Integrated Management of Plant Health, with the Department of Life Sciences, The UWI, St. Augustine Campus in collaboration with the United Nations University. Certification was awarded.

Special awards

1. UWI Postgraduate Scholarship, 2020-2022
2. Winner of the 'Audience Choice' poster competition for the poster: Ramdass AC and Rampersad SN. Molecular Signatures of Janthinobacterium lividum in Contaminated Soil from Trinidad Support High Potential for Crude Oil Metabolism (Part 2). Poster presented at: The Annual Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting at the Genomics of Energy & Environment Meeting with the DOE Joint Genome Institute at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, Berkeley, CA., 2021
3. The Anil Deisingh Prize (The University of the West Indies), 2015                                                                             

Volunteer Work/Experience

1. MovieTowne's Annual Christmas Charity 2017 - present

1500 kids from 22 orphanages and homes through Trinidad along with some less privileged communities as far as Blanchicheusse and Toco are invited for a day of fun at MovieTowne each Christmas. Every year MovieTowne closed its doors to the public and over 200 MovieTowne’s staff and volunteers come out ready to serve these kids on this special occasion. They watch the latest movies, get delicious treats and then they visit Santa for a present.

2. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Mt. Lambert Junior Conference) 2007 -  present

An international Catholic voluntary organization dedicated to serving the poor and disadvantaged. Members voluntarily dedicate their time and resources to help those in need in their community.

3. Horses Helping Humans (HHH)  2016 - 2018 

HHH provides Hippotherapy or Therapeutic Horseback Riding to children with autism and special needs, and natural horsemanship riding lessons for anyone who would like to experience the healing and therapeutic power of being with horses.

Computer Skills   

1. Microsoft Office Specialist for Office Excel 2010 (certified in 2013)                                                                                                                              
2. Microsoft Office Specialist for Office Excel  2013 (certified in 2014) 
3. Microsoft Office Specialist for Office Word 2013 (certified in 2014)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Hobbies

1. Hiking
2. Badminton
3. Running 5Ks
4. Swimming

Publications