Pharmacologist Dr Arlene Williams-Persad’s dedication to her field pays off with regional research award
As a child, pharmacologist Dr Arlene Williams-Persad developed a love for science and research to help satisfy her desire to know why things operated the way they did, especially the human body. Since 1996, she has crafted her scientific research skills at The UWI St Augustine campus.
In June, the Latin American and Caribbean Congress of Immunology (ALACI) awarded those skills at an immunology conference in Cuba.
In a recent interview with UWI TODAY, Williams-Persad shared what inspired her as a pharmacologist to do immunological research, the importance of her research and why ALACI’s recognition was a milestone achievement.
While talking to a colleague in late 2020, Williams-Persad learnt of a condition known as chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a genetic disorder that leaves white blood cells unable to kill several types of bacteria and fungi. CGD patients are vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections that are fatal if left untreated.
Williams-Persad told UWI TODAY, “That’s where the door for immunopharmacology opened up for me and I joined the West Indian Immunology Society.”
“I started to do some research on chronic granulomatous disease, and I presented at one of the society’s symposiums which was held during the pandemic.”
But Williams-Persad wasn’t always involved in immunological work. In 1996, she started her BSc in Biochemistry at UWI St Augustine.
During that time, she worked as a library assistant with the Medical Sciences Library in Mt Hope. “Because I went there to work, I ended up falling in love with medicine, biochemistry and research even more.”
“While I was doing that, I also volunteered as a research assistant in Biochemistry at Med Sci,” she said.
After finishing her undergraduate studies in 2001, Williams-Persad started working as a lab technician with the Faculty of Medical Sciences’ (FMS) School of Pharmacology.
“Most of my career was spent between Biochemistry at Natural Sciences on Main Campus and here (where I’m currently based) at Medical Sciences.”
She added that, “Being in the environment all the time, I ended up falling even further in love with research, and I went on to sign up for an MPhil in Pharmacology. I realised I like to see how drugs work in the body, so pharmacology opened that door for me.”
In 2007, Williams-Persad started her MPhil which was upgraded to a PhD given the quality of her then ongoing pharmacological research with the FMS.
Upon completing her PhD in 2013, Williams-Persad was resolute to expand her academic and professional qualifications even further. Learning about CGD and venturing into immunology by joining the West Indian Immunology Society in 2021 provided the perfect opportunity.
Founded in February 2021, the society aims to create a network of immunologists and other related researchers who are passionate about furthering research in the Caribbean.
“I was invited to the 13th Latin American and Caribbean Congress of Immunology Conference hosted in Cuba, on June 6-10, where I presented the work that our team of researchers did so far.”
Based in Argentina, ALACI’s main objectives include improving immunological education, the training of students and professionals in the field, and improving interactions between members for global collaboration.
Williams-Persad also presented about her CGD research at the conference and was awarded – along with nine other women at the conference – as a distinguished woman in immunological research.
She explained that the main takeaway from her research is that CGD has an advancing treatment schedule that now allows patients longevity and a better quality of life.
“The pathology of CGD provides a platform for pharmacologists to develop new drugs against clinical conditions such as drugs to treat inflammatory conditions like osteoporosis.”
“This award was not just for me...it’s for the whole West Indian Immunology Society because, through the society, I was able to represent TT and The UWI at the conference.”
Describing her CGD research to this point as just the beginning, Williams-Persad has committed to further research on treatment options for the disease. But she doesn’t want to do it alone.
She lamented, “Both fields of immunology and pharmacology are undersubscribed. I will tell young people who have the desire to learn about the fields that they are very fulfilling fields.
“Once you have the drive, determination and desire, you will go far, because I’ve been working here for 21 years, and I’ve been a student since 1996... the journey is worth it.”
“We need more immunologists and pharmacologists. We need more people who are doing research in the area so that we can investigate the drugs on the market, standardise the pharmacosurveillance strategies, and also to hopefully develop new drugs.”
A huge UWI advocate, Williams-Persad wants to improve on the university’s offerings in both fields, and help market them to attract more prospective students.
“In the end, I’d like the Trinidad and Tobago community to be educated about how medication works in our body, as well as the importance of using medicines as prescribed, and the importance of reporting side effects to your physicians.”
