Photo Caption (L-R): Dr. Zeyar Min, Dr. Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot, Ms. Yanique Black and Dr. Raylee Dunkley.

Jamaica's presence was strongly felt at the 2025 Commonwealth Chemistry Congress, held from May 11–14, 2025 at the Protea Hotel Stellenbosch and Conference Centre in South Africa. Leading the delegation was Dr. Marvadeen Singh-Wilmot, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona. A founding contributor to Commonwealth Chemistry in 2018, Dr. Singh-Wilmot served on this year’s Scientific Organising Committee and played a central role in guiding and supporting Jamaica’s early career chemists (ECCs) in attendance.

 Joining her were three exceptional Jamaican ECCs: 

• Dr. Zeyar Min, Lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica and former PhD student of Dr. Singh-Wilmot
• Dr. Raylee Dunkley, manager at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica and former PhD student of Dr. Ian Thompson, Department of Chemistry, The UWI Mona
• Ms. Yanique Black, a graduate student in the MSc Food and Agro-Processing Technology programme, Department of Chemistry, The UWI Mona

Their selection followed a highly competitive process led by Dr. Singh-Wilmot, Professor Robert Lancashire, and Dr. Andrea Goldson-Barnaby, faculty members in the Department of Chemistry and members of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences, Jamaica (CASJ). The rigorous selection process was designed to identify researchers demonstrating excellence, innovation, and leadership potential in chemistry.

A major highlight of the event came when Dr. Zeyar Min was awarded the Early Career Chemist Award for Best Poster Presentation. His winning poster, “Crystal Engineering of Lanthanide Metal-Organic Frameworks (Ln-MOFs) as a Pathway to Sustainable Solutions,” presented research originating from his graduate work at UWI, published in the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry (Min, Z.; Singh-Wilmot, M.A.; Cahill, C.; Andrews, M.; Taylor, R., 2012, 4419–4426). Judges praised the clarity, innovation, and real-world relevance of the work.

Photo Caption: Dr. Zeyar Min (right) receiving his poster prize.

Dr. Singh-Wilmot also chaired a key panel discussion on Gender Equality and Reduced Inequalities and hosted a breakfast session on Synchrotron Science in Commonwealth Countries, further showcasing Jamaica’s commitment to inclusive and cutting-edge scientific dialogue.

Crucially, participation by the ECCs was made possible through a travel grant of over £5,000 secured through Commonwealth Chemistry by Dr. Singh-Wilmot. This funding ensured full access to the Congress for the Jamaican delegates.

The Jamaican chemists made a powerful impression, not only through award-winning research but also through their professionalism, engagement, and representation of the Caribbean scientific community on the global stage. Their success highlights the growing strength and impact of Jamaica’s early career scientists and reflects the importance of mentorship, institutional support, and international collaboration in advancing scientific excellence.