Photo caption: CCRIB - Plant Biotechnology Research Group (MPBRG) Interns with their Certificates of Completion at the end of their summer programme hosted from June-July 2026.
Sixteen students spent part of their summer gaining practical experience in biotechnology through an internship with the Micropropagation and Plant Biotechnology Research Group (MPBRG) at the Caribbean Centre for Research in Bioscience (CCRIB) – Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona.
Held from June to July 2026, the programme brought together students at different stages of their education: secondary students moving into sixth form, sixth formers preparing for university, UWI undergraduates and students planning to study overseas. Through laboratory work, field activities and science outreach, they explored how biotechnology connects with agriculture, microbiology, plant science, medicine and other areas of STEM.
At the Biotechnology Centre, interns were introduced to the stages of plant tissue culture, including initiation, establishment, multiplication and hardening. They prepared culture media and worked with laboratory equipment and procedures such as the balance, autoclave and laminar-flow cabinet. Their activities also included using aseptic technique, recording data and maintaining laboratory records.
Interns also took part in microbial studies, including work to obtain clean cultures and identify microbes. Harris and her team developed a medium and agar protocol to culture bacteria associated with in-vitro yam and sweet potato varieties. The work introduced her to bacterial culturing, colony morphology, Gram staining and the process of refining an experimental protocol.
The internship extended beyond the laboratory. Participants visited the UWI Life Sciences Herbarium and prepared herbarium sheets, gaining exposure to plant documentation and biodiversity. They also visited the Department of Geography and Geology, took part in field activities and encountered laboratory methods and STEM solutions in other settings.
Science communication was another part of the experience. On July 11, interns from Treadway participated in a radio interview with a Canadian audience. The programme also included visits to Mount Industry Primary School in St Catherine on July 27 and 30, giving interns opportunities to engage with younger students and share their interest in science.
These experiences gave participants a chance to practise skills that are relevant across STEM: careful observation, data collection, following procedures, troubleshooting, teamwork and communicating scientific ideas. The range of activities also showed how biotechnology can contribute to work in fields from crop research and plant conservation to microbiology and biomedical research.
The internship encouraged students to think beyond their own training. Longer-term initiatives included proposals to strengthen laboratory capacity, collecting items for the programme and passing knowledge on to younger students.
Harris said the experience strengthened her interest in biotechnology and biomedical research and helped her appreciate collaboration and mentorship. She plans to carry the skills she developed into future research opportunities and explore biotechnology’s applications in medicine and wellness.
Photo caption: CCRIB-MPBRG Summer interns engaging in various biotechnology related activities.
Led by Dr Sylvia Mitchell, the MPBRG summer internship is helping students build a practical foundation for future study and work in biotechnology. By combining laboratory experience with field learning, research, communication and mentorship, the programme supports the development of young people equipped to contribute across Jamaica’s diverse and growing STEM landscape.
