Photo caption 1: Students participatants in the Caribbean Centre for Research in Bioscience summer camp at The University of the West Indies, Mona.

The Caribbean Centre for Research in Bioscience (CCRiB) of the UWI Mona is hosting a unique series of immersive science camps under the theme ‘Foundations of Research: Building Scientists of Tomorrow’.

Targeting advanced high school students and undergraduate, the seven to 10-day camps provide hands-on exposure to real-world scientific research, theoretical backgrounds and experimental design. Each camp focuses on a cutting-edge theme in modern science:

• Research Methods in Cellular Biology for the Development of Nature-Based Cancer Therapies: Facilitated by Dr. Kimberley Foster.
• Introduction to Computational Biochemistry: Applications in Molecular Modelling and Drug Design: Facilitated by Dr. William Irvine
• Introduction to In Vitro Plant Research for Agrobiotechnology: Facilitated by Dr. Sylvia Mitchell.

These camps are being conducted in CCRiB’s research-intensive laboratories and are aimed at equipping young scholars in the Caribbean with access and mentorship from expert scientists.

The goal of the summer camps, said the CCRiB, is to cultivate a new generation of Caribbean scientists by:

• Providing early, meaningful exposure to advanced scientific techniques and research methods.
• Fostering critical thinking and research proposal development skills
• Bridging the gap between classroom science and hands-on, hypothesis-driven experimentation.
• Creating opportunities for young scholars to interact directly with professors, researchers, and industry professionals; and
• Encouraging long-term interest in solving regional and global challenges through science and innovation

The camps, said the centre, also serve as an equaliser, ensuring that gifted and motivated students from developing regions are not left behind in global research and innovation.

The generous support of corporate donors—Musson Group, PanJam Group, and Nakash Construction—has allowed financially constrained students to access the unique educational opportunity.

“In developed countries, it’s not uncommon for academically advanced, well-resourced students to spend their summers in laboratories, within tertiary institutions, learning advanced concepts alongside senior scientists and engaging with real research problems. Such early exposures inspire young minds and ignite curiosity.  It gives them a competitive advantage and acts as a launch pad for strong, research-based scientific careers,” said Professor Rupika Delgoda, director of the CCRiB.

“I’ve always dreamed of creating similar opportunities here in Jamaica—for our bright, passionate students.  We want to expose them to research problems relevant to the region and to provide them with hands-on experience, right here on the Mona campus at UWI. We want to inspire the next generation of scientific thinkers and are excited to launch this programme,” she added.