Biodiversity at its boldest:
Research symposium airs it all
 The range was wide, diverse and fascinating. Presentations included an exploration into a biological control against the dreaded Aedes aegypti mosquito (bringer of yellow fever and dengue); counting the Tufted Capuchin monkey population; enhancing breadfruit production, analysing cassava tissue protein, studying dwarf pigeon peas and evaluating trawl fishery in the Gulf of Paria.
All in all, 29 oral presentations were made when the Department of Life Sciences (DLS) at The UWI hosted is first research symposium over two days in April. Themed, “Engendering Collaborative Research – Linking Science with the Environment,” it was an opportunity for students to share and critique each other’s work, as well as for the Department to give outsiders a sense of the nature of the research being done within.
Among some of the other topics under scrutiny were: “Isolation and characterization of potential diesel-degrading bacterium isolated from oil contaminated soil,” “Concentration and genetic composition of airborne micro-organisms and pathogens during African dust events,” “Assessing the state of human leptospirosis” and “Seedling Leaf Toughness in the Tropical Forest – Is Mora the tough one?”
The DLS carries out research in a variety of areas of ecology, management of tropical habitats, conservation of biodiversity, biotechnology and genetic improvement and integrated management of tropical pests and parasitoids. Scientific research such as this is what is needed to diversify the economy of Trinidad and Tobago in a competitive global market.
One of the more interesting presentations came from the undergraduates. These young and creative second-year students decided to use video to create an informative and entertaining presentation on Giradia, a parasite. The use of video showed the adoption of the film medium in tertiary education, representing a shift in the way science is reported. We live in a very visual world and students increasingly learn on a daily basis visually. UWI is well placed to nurture and advance these interdisciplinary modalities and surely academic staff will see the value of adopting these visual media in dissemination of knowledge.
The symposium provided an environment for discussion of research ideas and the plan is for it to become an annual event.
Outlines of research presentations
Cassava Stem Tuber: Analysis of Cassava Tissue Protein Profiles – Mr. Richard Farrell
Cassava plants are mainly propagated via hard stem cuttings or seeds. There is new evidence that cassava tubers can also form from the stem itself when grown in an inverted position from hard stem cuttings.
Use of bio-elicitors for modulation of plant growth and enhancing disease resistance – Dr. Jayaraj Jayaraman
Bio-elicitors are bio chemical substances that induce the production of defence related proteins in higher plants which primarily enhances the level of resistance to pathogens. This crop production strategy is relatively inexpensive, and offers moderate level of resistance to several pathogens. Preliminary results have shown seaweed extract formulations (SWE) for disease control in carrots and greenhouse cucumber have been proved to be successful in earlier studies.
Analysis of Trinidadian fruits for Phosphorous and Potassium in relation to dietary restrictions of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Patients – Mr. Andrew Dhanoo
In Trinidad and other tropical territories ESRD patients are told to stay away from local fruit. This research looked at the levels of phosphate and potassium in local fruits, the two major ions which cause complications in the body of an ESRD patient. Results showed that Carambola, Pomerac, Portugal and Paw Paw can be safely consumed in normally recommended portions without any ill effect.
A biodiversity Monitoring System for Trinidad and Tobago – Mrs. Yasmin S. Baksh-Comeau
This study involved an intensive and extensive botanical inventory to determine the status of vascular plants in Trinidad and Tobago; 21,000 specimens were identified of which 20,000 were digitized and entered into a database using BRAHMS (Botanical Research and Herbarium Management Systems) for developing the Virtual Field Herbarium (VFH). The survey provided more accurate and updated information on plant species distribution.
Prizewinners
Oral Undergraduate Presentation Winners
1st Mr. Keston Finch – A pilot investigation into the diet of four commercial fish species found in the marine environment in Trinidad
2nd Mr. Andrew Dhanoo – An analysis of Trinidadian fruits for Phosphorous and Potassium in relation to dietary restrictions of End Stage Renal Disease
3rd Mr. Antonio Ramkissoon, Ms. Safia Varachhia, Ms. Jodie Sooknanan, Ms. Tavia Bandoo and Mr. Aadil Reid – Screening of potential antibiotic activity amongst bacteria taken from the Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, Trinidad.
Undergraduate Poster Presentation Winners
1st Ms. Michele deVerteuil – Thermoregulatory behaviour of freshwater turtles in the wet season
2nd Mr. Andrew Dhanoo – An analysis of Trinidadian fruits for Phosphorous and Potassium in relation to dietary restrictions of End Stage Renal Disease
3rd Mr. Richard Farrell – Cassava Stem Tuber: Analysis of Cassava Tissue Protein Profiles
Postgraduate Oral Presentation Winners
1st Seema Ramkissoon – Assessing the concentration and genetic composition of airborne micro-organisms and pathogens during African dust events in Trinidad.
1st Darshan Narang – Population density of an introduced primate: The Tufted Capuchin in Chaguaramas, Trinidad
2nd Kerrie Naranjit – Ecology of the Trinidad “Piping-Guan”
3rd Amaala Muhammad – Diversity of Caribbean Ralstonia solanacearum strains associated with selected host species
Postgraduate Poster Winners
1st Nicole Sookoo – Toxicology of Pesticides in Tropical Amphians
2nd Darshan Narang – Population Density of an introduced primate – The Tufted Capuchin in Chaguaramas, Trinidad
3rd Nerissa Ali – Effect of seaweed extract on plant growth and disease incidence in field tomatoes
–Alana Jute was one of the Committee members organising the research symposium
By Alana Jute
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