Alton Bodley was recently awarded a PhD in Computer Science from the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. He previously earned a BSc in Computer Science with First Class Honours from UWI. Together, these experiences established the foundation for his longstanding interest in applying computing to complex, real-world problems, particularly through the development of intelligent systems.

Building on this foundation, his doctoral thesis, “An Intelligent Decision Support System for Sports Team Selection – An Application in Cricket,” supervised by Prof. Gunjan Mansingh, examined how artificial intelligence and data-driven methods could support more informed, objective and outcome-aware team-selection decisions. Using cricket as the primary application domain, the research demonstrated his broader interest in developing intelligent systems that transform complex data into practical decision support.

This interest in translating computational research into meaningful applications continues to shape Alton’s current work. He currently lectures in the Department of Computing at UWI, Mona, where he contributes to teaching and curriculum development in the MSc. Applied Data Science and CBMIS programmes. His research interests have also expanded across computing, public health, bioinformatics, computational genomics and environmental data science. A central focus of his emerging research programme is the use of computational methods to examine how environmental conditions influence health outcomes at both population and molecular levels.

Within this broader research agenda, Alton analyses viral genomic variation, applies artificial intelligence to health and decision support, and develops data-driven approaches to understanding disease transmission and environmental health risks. Through his involvement in the UWI–SUNY Research Consortium and the NIH Fogarty International Center-supported research environment, he has contributed to interdisciplinary research and capacity-building initiatives in public health, infectious disease and data science. He has also presented work on multi-omics data integration and prescriptive data analytics for viral surveillance, while continuing to explore computational approaches that can strengthen health resilience in Jamaica and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Alongside his research and teaching responsibilities, Alton is committed to mentorship and institutional development. He has contributed to efforts to strengthen computing and technology infrastructure within the Faculty of Science and Technology and has supported the development of academic and professional opportunities for students. His service also includes technology development, professional engagement and outreach, including work with secondary-school students and initiatives that encourage young people to pursue careers in computing and related fields.

Looking ahead, Alton aims to build a research programme that integrates computer science, environmental science, bioinformatics, public health and sports analytics. Through this interdisciplinary approach, he hopes to address challenges relevant to Jamaica, the Caribbean and the wider SIDS community.

Photo caption: Dr. Alton Bodley