In the rural community of Watt Town, St Ann, a young girl with big dreams began her educational journey that would later inspire many.

Today, Dr Deneikah Jackson-Wray is a doctor of philosophy in physical chemistry, having completed her PhD at The University of the West Indies (UWI) in 2024. Her academic path, which has been shaped by unwavering faith, hard work, and resilience, serves as a powerful reminder that with perseverance, even the most humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements.

Jackson-Wray recounted that her educational story began in 2000 at Watt Town Infant School, where her natural curiosity and passion for learning quickly became apparent. She pointed out that, after just one year, she advanced to Watt Town All-Age School (now Watt Town Primary & Infant School), where she stood out as a top student.

“In recognition of my academic excellence, I was awarded the Downers Scholarship for achieving the highest GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test) 

“I then moved on to St Hilda’s High School in 2007, where I continued to shine both academically and as a leader. In my final year, I was appointed prefect, an honour that reflected my maturity, responsibility, and commitment to service. During my time at St Hilda’s, I excelled in my studies, earning distinctions in eight [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] subjects, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, English literature, Spanish, English language, and social studies.

“My academic performance was further acknowledged when I received the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) 10th Anniversary Scholarship, a recognition of my potential and dedication,” she added.

A twist in the journey

From a young age, Jackson-Wray dreamed of becoming a paediatrician. This aspiration was fuelled by her own health challenges, which required frequent visits to paediatricians and dermatologists. She envisioned herself helping children, inspired by her personal experiences. However, as she progressed in her academic journey, life took a different turn.

After completing her first year at The UWI, Jackson-Wray applied to multiple programmes – pharmacy at the University of Technology (UTech), medical sciences at The UWI, and Nursing at Northern Caribbean University (NCU). She was accepted into all three programmes, but the twist came when she was accepted into medical school as a non-sponsored student, meaning she would not receive financial assistance to attend.

Faced with a challenge, she decided to take a year in the general science programme at The UWI, where she studied chemistry, mathematics, and biology. It was during that period that Jackson-Wray discovered her true passion for chemistry. And so, instead of reapplying to medical school, she chose to pursue a degree in food chemistry, a decision that would change the trajectory of her life. She majored in food chemistry and minored in general chemistry, a path that would lead her to discover new scientific frontiers.

A journey of excellence

In 2017, Jackson-Wray graduated with a bachelor of science in food chemistry, earning honours for her outstanding academic performance. Yet, she wasn’t ready to stop. Her intellectual curiosity and passion for science pushed her to continue her studies. In 2018, she was awarded the UWI Postgraduate Scholarship, which allowed her to pursue graduate studies in physical chemistry.

Jackson-Wray’s PhD journey was both challenging and rewarding. Over the course of her studies, she conducted research that spanned continents, working with colleagues in South Africa at the University of Kwazulu-Natal and in Trinidad at UWI St Augustine. She contributed to the field of physical chemistry with four research publications and one review publication. Her research not only advanced scientific knowledge, but also built a network of colleagues and mentors who supported her every step of the way.

On November 1, 2024, Jackson-Wray crossed the stage at UWI Mona, officially earning the title of Dr Deneikah Jackson-Wray, a moment of immense pride, not only for her but for everyone who had supported her on her journey.

Gratitude, faith, and family support

Jackson-Wray’s success is a reflection of the unwavering support from her family and mentors. Raised in a farming community by her parents, Leford and Gloria Jackson, she learned the value of hard work, resilience, and humility from an early age. Her father, a farmer, and her mother, a housewife, instilled in her the importance of perseverance, even in the face of adversity.

Growing up as a Seventh-day Adventist, Jackson-Wray’s faith has been a cornerstone of her life. Baptised at age 12, she credits her strong belief in God with giving her the strength to overcome challenges.

She reflected, “Many say to be poor is a crime, but I believed that my circumstances didn’t define me. I knew that with faith and hard work, I could overcome any obstacle.”

Jackson-Wray also acknowledges the support of Dr Peter Nelson, her research supervisor at The UWI, and the broader UWI community, whose mentorship, resources, and funding made her academic journey possible.

Jackson-Wray is looking toward the future with a clear vision, to use her expertise in chemistry to contribute to the fields of food safety, nutrition, and sustainable development. Her story continues to unfold, and she remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and making a meaningful impact in her field.

For anyone facing obstacles or doubts, Jackson-Wray’s story offers a powerful message -with faith, hard work, and resilience, success is not only possible - it is inevitable. She has proven that greatness is not defined by the circumstances of one’s birth, but by the choices one makes and the determination to keep moving forward.

“I am beyond grateful for all I have accomplished, given my very humble beginnings,” she said.

“This is just the beginning of what I hope will be a success story. If I can do it, anyone can. The key is to always give your best in every moment and success will follow. I am beyond grateful for all scholarships granted and abundant support from family and friends, as well as for mentorship, funding and resources given by The University of the West Indies,” she concluded.