A UWI research group of Dr. Ruby Lisa Alexander-Lindo (seated second left) and Mrs. Denise Daley-Beckford of the Biochemistry Section, Dept. of Basic Medical Scienecs, Dr. Trevor yee (right) of the Natural Products Institute and Professor Paul Reese of the Department of Chemistry won the top prize in the Scientific Research Council's (SRC) Innovations in Science and Technology Awards for 2012. Their winning research project was entitled Novel Treetment for Hyperglycaemia and Hypertension, high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure.

The group's discovery resulted from their extraction of a localized species of Eucalyptus from our forests. Three compounds were isolated and were found to be able to reduce both high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure in the rat models used in their research.

The research project won two awards in the Scientific Research Council's Awards Competition for 2012: the Sectional Prize for the Health and Wellneess Category as well as the prestigious Overall Prize for the Innovation of the Year for Science and Technology for 2012.