Tobago Hosts Transformative Symposium
From the rhythms of soca to the intricacies of string theory, Tobago was the epicentre of a remarkable convergence this March—the 2nd Caribbean Future of Science Symposium, held at the picturesque Mt Irvine Bay Resort from March 21–24.
This wasn’t your typical academic gathering. With Nobel laureates, NASA scientists, Caribbean inventors, and jazz-playing physicists in attendance, it became a showcase of the region’s scientific brilliance and creative potential—all set to the hum of steelpan and stargazing under island skies.
Renowned scientists from Trinidad and Tobago, the region and the world, pose for a photo at the Mt Irvine Bay Resort in Scarborough, Tobago for the four-day Caribbean Future of Science Symposium.
The origin of this symposium begins not in a boardroom or lab, but on a sun-drenched hill in Las Cuevas, Trinidad. It was there, some years ago, that Trinidad-born physicist and symposium founder Professor Stephon Alexander, on a visit to his native T&T, first envisioned a gathering that would merge science with the spirit of the Caribbean.
“I was doing theoretical physics equations, while enjoying the view and just clearing my head, and it all clicked,” he recalled. “That moment made me realise the Caribbean isn't just where we come to party or to vacation and rest, it's where we can solve problems.” After years of international research and mentorship—including at Stanford, Imperial College and with legendary investor, mathematician, philanthropist and founder of the Simons Foundation, Jim Simons—Alexander returned to the Caribbean with a mission: to reframe the region not as a periphery of science, but as a catalyst for it.
"With the steadfast funding and support of the Simons Foundation and its President, Dr David Spergel, the Caribbean Future Forum took shape, brought to life by a dynamic coalition of scientists and artists committed to redefining the region's scientific narrative."
More than just lectures and PowerPoints, the symposium fused disciplines in a uniquely Caribbean way. Mornings opened with musical meditations from physicist and opera singer Professor Phillip Phillips of the University of Chicago. Legendary dub music innovator Hopeton “The Scientist” Brown headlined a panel connecting the rhythms of dub with the algorithms of data. And students from all Tobago secondary schools took part in a “Soca and Science” session led by Alexander, a professional jazz musician himself, breaking down musical beats into geometric patterns.
“Science in the Caribbean has always been creative,” said Professor Shirin Haque, a pioneering Caribbean astronomer, UWI physicist and principal organiser of the symposium. “Whether it’s using AI to decode Creole languages, or applying mathematical models to understand crime patterns, our researchers are reimagining how science looks, sounds and feels.”
Indeed, the symposium highlighted leading regional projects: Professor Pathmanathan Umaharan’s work on the genetics behind UWI’s own chocolate; Dr Andre Coy’s AI-based Creole translations from Mona; and Dr Donna Dyer’s epidemiological analysis of crime using mathematics.
Professor Haque noted the value of bringing local students into this space: “Watching the students engage with our diaspora scientists - from NASA to Harvard - was a proud moment. It’s these encounters that build belief and ignite futures.”
One of the symposium’s most powerful visual moments was the assembly of Caribbean women scientists—including blind astronomer Dr Wanda Diaz Merced, and NASA engineers Dr Camille Alleyne and Dr Renee Horton—alongside keynote speaker Dr Alexandra Amon, a Trinidadian astrophysicist and Sloan Award winner.
Scientists (from left) Dr Shania Nichols, a postdoctoral researcher at the prestigious SETI Institute; Ms Teressa Alexander, a researcher from UWI St Augustine’s Department of Life Sciences; Ms Nalini Maharaj from UWI St Augustine’s Department of Physics; Dr Alexandra Amon, T&T born astrophysicist at Princeton University and winner of the Sloan Fellowship; NASA aerospace engineer and space scientist Dr Camille Alleyne; theoretical physicist at Princeton University Dr Delilah Gates; UWI astronomer Professor Shirin Haque; physicist and Airworthiness Deputy at NASA Dr K Renee Horton; and Jamaican-born physicist and postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University Dr Farrah Simpson at the symposium.
Their presence underscored a major theme: the Caribbean diaspora is not just successful, it is exceptional.
“This is about closing the isolation,” said Alexander. “Not just for those still home, but for those of us who left. We’re creating a space to return, to reconnect, to rebuild—together.”
Adding to the depth of the programme was Professor S James Gates Jr, renowned theoretical physicist who also served on the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology under US President Barack Obama. In his keynote, Gates recounted his own journey as a four-year-old child dreaming of science, his family’s legacy of mathematical brilliance, and the role of dreams (literal ones) in solving complex equations.
Gates also highlighted how rare it remains for members of the African diaspora to work in fields like supersymmetry and string theory.
“Yet here we are,” he said. “And we’re planting the seeds for a new generation.” He spoke candidly about his own family's legacy of mathematical resilience, describing himself as the third generation in a lineage of African-American men who used mathematics as a tool for advancement, despite societal and educational barriers.
"In my family, mathematics is our business," he shared.
Gates also recounted his mentorship of Professor Alexander, having met him when Alexander was just a college freshman, and emphasised how intergenerational mentorship is vital for cultivating the next wave of Caribbean and diaspora scientists.
This year’s symposium introduced five innovation awards, recognising Caribbean excellence across generations:
Dolly Nicholas Award - Dr Alexandra Amon
Winston Bailey Award - Hopeton “The Scientist” Brown
George Moon Sammy Award - Rajesh Lakhan
Bob Marley Award - Cyril Creque
Basil Burke Award - Ethan Wyke
Prof Philip Phillips, a theoretical physicist and opera singer born in Scarborough, Tobago, presents a certificate to Trinidad-born NASA aerospace engineer, space scientist, and CEO Dr Camille Alleyne.
Caribbean Future of Science Symposium founder Prof Stephon Alexander plays the sax alongside African drummers.
Each honouree represents a facet of the region’s scientific and cultural fusion, from astrophysics to audio engineering.
Beyond accolades, a major takeaway was the launch of a proposed youth summit in Miami next year, where young scientists from the Caribbean and the diaspora will forge their own collaborations.
“Let them build their own roadmaps,” said Alexander. “Our job is to support them, not to steer them.”
Professor Gates echoed this sentiment, encouraging young people to pursue their scientific dreams:
“If it’s in your heart and it won’t let you go - go for it. The universe is a strange place. When you align, it works with you.”
Looking ahead, plans are already underway for the third Caribbean Future of Science Symposium, with Tobago once again envisioned as its home base.
“There’s been interest in moving it,” Alexander admits. “But Tobago... it grounds us. It reminds us why we’re doing this, not just to theorise, but to build something lasting, something transformative for this region.”
As Professor Haque added, the team is exploring workshops in schools to continue integrating music, mathematics and science as teaching tools, sparking creativity and scientific thinking from early on.
“It’s time,” she said, “to see the Caribbean not just as a destination for sun, sea and sand only, but as a destination for sun, sea, sand and, importantly, science.”
