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SRC Welcomes New Executive Director

Dr. Cliff Riley Distinguished and accomplished scientist Dr. Cliff Riley has been appointed the new Executive Director of the Scientific Research Council.

Dr. Riley holds a PhD in Biotechnology (Pharmaceutical), a M.A in Teaching-Science Education, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Dr. Riley has served in several capacities including, Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research in the College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Associate Director of Research and Grants at Northern Caribbean University and Research Scientist at the Scientific Research Council.

and published over 90 scientific papers in diabetes management and prevention, nutrition, food technology, pharmaceutics, polymer chemistry, natural products and science education. He has served the scientific community both locally and internationally and is an active member of several professional organizations including the Biochemical Society, UK, The Society for Scientific Advancement, Carnegie Foundation for Cancer Research, and the Caribbean Academy of Science. Additionally, he currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jamaica National Agency (JNAAC) for Accreditation and Board Member of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica.

In 2006 Dr. Riley was awarded the JPS/ SRC Young Scientist of the Year, in 2007 the Northern Caribbean President Award for Research and the Taylor HallAttica Fraternity Award for Outstanding Contribution to Society, in 2009, the UWI Mona Principal Award for Best Publication and in 2010, the UTech President Award for Research.

Dr. Riley is married and enjoys fishing and hiking in his spare time.

The SRC family welcomes Dr. Riley and wish for him great success as he Dr. Riley has done extensive research embraces this new role.

Scientific Research Council Quarterly Newsletter Volume: 2 Date: March 2015 Published by Marketech Ltd.

Inside this issue: Dr. Cliff Riley — 1 SRC’s New Executive Director Advertisements— Supporting Local Tea Industry EU Funded Project Assists Schools 2-3

SRC Poster Awards ‘15 Nutraceutical Launch Plant Care Tips 101

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EU Funded Project Assists Schools On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, Jamaican schools selected for implementation of the Improv-

ing Innovation Capacities in the Caribbean (INVOCAB) Project received electronic equipment at the first Official handing over ceremony held at the Hotel Four Seasons, in Kingston Jamaica.

The event saw the participation of various stakeholder groups with Ambassador Paola Amadei, Head of the Delegation to the European Union in Jamaica bringing official greetings to invitees. Additionally, representatives from two key Ministries were in attendance: Mrs. Hilary Alexander, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy & Mining (MSTEM), as well as Mrs. Lena Buckle-Scott, Deputy Chief Education Officer at the Ministry of Education. Executiive director of the SRC, Dr. Cl;iff Riley was the chairman for the event. Also in attendance were representatives from the Church Teachers’ College, the MICO University College and the University of the West Indies (Mona) .

problem-solving skills of students and improve teacher competencies in science, via teacher training workshops, student summer camps, upgraded science laboratories, and the establishment of two science centres. These activities should translate into an overall increase in successful passes in the GSAT and CSEC external examinations, and the generation of marketable ideas to solve energy use and food production issues currently faced in the participating countries.

These results will be replicated at the national level

Permanent Secretary of MSTEM, Mrs. Hilary Alexander, emphasizes the importance of innovation for Jamaica’s economic growth.

The INVOCAB project which is housed at the Scientific Research Council and the National Institute of Higher Education Research Science and Technology (NIHERST) in Trinidad will benefit students and teachers form sixteen schools at the primary and secondary levels in Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago.

The project gears at increasing the critical thinking and problem-

SRC Board Chair, Ms. Melissa McHargh presents electronic equipment to the students and teacher of Islington High School

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SRC Poster Awards ‘15

through the provision of education policy recommendations to guide school administrations and teachers in implementing science activities that are of interest to both teachers and students.

This handover of equipment is the first in a two part series to participating schools, as laboratory equipment from local and overseas sources, will be given to each school on an individual basis. At the event held on February 24, 2015, each school received a desk top computer and surge protector, which was purchased using project finding provided by the European Union.

Technical Information Officer of the Science , Technology and Education Unit smiles for the camera as she presents plague to Asad Naqvi , Economic Affairs Officer of the UNEP at the 2015 Poster Awards Ceremony.

The Scientific Research Council hosted its Annual Poster Competition on the 23rd of February 2015 under the theme: “The Green Economy”. This competition which was in its 29th year was for the first time held in collaboration with the University of the West Indies and the United Nations Environmental Programme’s — Project on the Green Economy through the efforts of UWI Consulting Inc. This year’s competition was designed to create an avenue for students to express themselves artistically on topical issues while becoming more scientifically literate through research on the themes of the competition.

The competition saw approximately 65 entries from across the Island.

Forty-four entries from high schools and 21 from primary/preparatory schools.

Stella Maris Prep and Kemps Hill Highwere awarded on February 23 at the Jamaica conference as a part of the University of the West Indies (UWI) / United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Green Economy conference.

Other schools awarded at the event were, Cornaldi Avenue Primary, May day High, Wolmers Boys’, Westwood High and Montego Bay High.

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Science, Technology & Innovation Work For You�

Plant Care Tips 101 Caring for your Tissue Cultured Plantlet

Nutraceutical Launch Research Scientist at the Scientific Research Council, Yvonne Bailey-Shaw explains the process of the Steam Distillation Unit from the SRC's display at Nutraceutuical Launch.

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