SOSA Board of Advisors

Marcia Roye, Ph.D.

Professor Marcia Roye is a highly respected academic who has a distinguished record of original work, having sought to build research capacity at The UWI in the undersubscribed area of molecular virology.
She is internationally acclaimed for her geminivirus work. Dr. Roye’s research group has characterized numerous geminiviruses infecting crops such as red pea, broad bean, tomato, scotch bonnet pepper cabbage as well as common weed reservoirs in Jamaica. Additionally, numerous geminiviruses have been characterized for Belize, Barbados, Antigua and St Kitts & Nevis, making this the only research of its kind in some of these countries.

Dr. Roye has also made a significant contribution in the field of health. The Caribbean region has an HIV prevalence of one per cent which is the second highest worldwide. About 61 per cent of Jamaican HIV patients are treated with antiretroviral drugs. The downside using antiretroviral drugs is that the virus can develop antiretroviral drug resistance, which means that the HIV drug no longer kill the virus. She has successfully partnered with the Ministry of Health, The UHWI and The Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine on a multidisciplinary research project to determine the extent of antiretroviral (HIV) drug resistance in Jamaican patients. The data is useful for managing and improving the treatment of HIV positive patients in Jamaica.
In recognition of these accomplishments, in March 2011, Dr. Roye received the prestigious L’Oreal-UNESCO Special Fellowship “In the footsteps of Marie Curie,” which was the first of its kind. She earlier received a UNESCO-L’Oreal Fellowship for Young Women in Science (2000), Fulbright Fellowship (2003), and the award of the Scientific Research Council/Shell Young Scientist/Technologist award (2000).
She is member of the UNESCO National Commission Science Advisory Committee, a member of the advisory board of directors of the National Compliance Regulatory Authority and served on the CARICOM Science Technology and Innovation Committee delegation to explore cooperation and collaboration with Cuba. She also played an important role in the development and hosting of annual workshops on ‘Concepts in Genetic Engineering’ for teachers and students pursuing the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination.

Paul Gyles, Ph.D.

Professor Paul Gyles joined the faculty of Northern Caribbean University (NCU) as Chair (Associate Professor) of the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Medical Technology in 1996 and was promoted in 2003 to the position of Dean of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. He was awarded the academic rank of professor in September 2011 and several months later was appointed as the Associate Vice President of Graduate Studies and Research.

Professor Gyles earned his B.Sc. in Medical Technology; the MSc. in Applied Microbiology and his doctorate degree in Molecular Cell Biology/Endocrinology, all from Howard University.

Dr. Gyles’ professional experience spans the areas of academia, medical technology and research. Dr. Gyles research interests include the occurrence and characteristics of inorganic ions and microorganisms in potable water in Jamaica, fungal and bacterial microorganisms associated with Rhizome rot disease of ginger and the effects of garlic and sorrel on cancer cells.

Cordel Green

Cordel Green is an Attorney-at-Law, a former Assistant Attorney-General of Jamaica and a former broadcaster. He is currently the Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission, which regulates radio, television and cable in Jamaica.

Mr. Green is also Vice-Chairman of the International Bureau for UNESCO’s Information For All Programme (IFAP), Paris and Chairman of the UNESCO-IFAP Working Group on Information Accessibility.

His other affiliations include being a Vice-Representative (Caribbean) – International Centre for Information Ethics (ICIE); Member of the Law Committee for the IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Consideration in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems; Member of the International Institute of Communications (IIC); Member of the Advisory Council, Carnegie AI and Equality Initiative, New York; Honorary member of the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council, Washington DC; and Commissioner of the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO.

Mr. Green holds Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) and Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) degrees from the University of the West Indies, a Master of Laws Degree with distinction, from the University of Sheffield in England, a Master of Business Administration degree from the Mona School of Business, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Programme and a Chevening Scholar.

Wayne McLauglin, Ph.D.

Professor McLaughlin is an accomplished molecular biologist who has developed a diverse and productive research programme that is focused on molecular plant pathology issues. He and his colleagues have carried out pioneering research on the transfer of plasmids in slow-growing rhizobia and later on the molecular characterization of whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses infecting crop plants in Jamaica such as the common bean, pepper and tomato. Of particular note was the identification of the introduced Tomato yellow leaf curl virus and the Tomato dwarf leaf curl virus, as the cause of a leaf curl and dwarfing disease of tomato.

Dr. McLaughlin has also worked on lethal yellowing of coconut which has devastated certain trees in the Caribbean, including Jamaica. Results of these works have contributed to new knowledge about viruses and bacteria affecting important crops in the region. Additionally, his research led to the identification of a strain of Pseudomonas and Bacillus which protect Scotch Bonnet peppers from diseases caused by Tobacco Etch Virus. Work done in green houses has shown that germination and plant growth is increased by these pathogens and work is now in progress to identify the mechanism by which the pathogens induce resistance to the virus. He has published over 30 original and review papers in local, regional and international journals.

His interest into the area of Forensic Genetics and Human Molecular Genetics led him in 2005, to establish Caribbean Genetics (CARIGEN), the first independent forensic DNA laboratory in the Caribbean to provide expert witness and DNA analysis to the legal profession in both civil and criminal cases. Since then, he has served as expert witness in several criminal cases and the unit has provided services to both local and regional courts. Professor McLaughlin was also the forensic DNA expert witness in the landmark case R vs. Stafford Webb for rape (2006). Genetic studies are also underway in Diabetes Mellitus, Autism, HIV/AIDS, the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with Hepatitis B and C and the susceptibility of Jamaican women in Breast Cancer.

The quality of his work has been recognised by his receiving a number of awards, including two Fulbright Awards, the Scientific Council Award for Best Scientific Performance in 1982 and 1987 and the Silver Musgrave Medal in 2001 for outstanding merit in the field of Science from the Institute of Jamaica.

Yasmin Hurd, Ph.D.

Dr. Yasmin Hurd is the Director of the Addiction Institute within the Mount Sinai Behavioral Health System in New York. She is also the Ward-Coleman Chair in Translational Neuroscience as well as Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Pharmacological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She is an internationally renowned neuroscientist whose translational research examines the neurobiology of drug abuse and related psychiatric disorders. She is highly published in the field and leads a diverse team of investigators spanning molecular biology, behavioral neuropharmacology, neuroimaging and genetics to study the human brain and complementary translational animal models. Her pioneering research has provided significant insights into the neurobiology of opioid abuse and the neurodevelopmental (as well as cross-generational) effects of cannabis that has been at the forefront of the field. Using multidisciplinary research approaches, her work has highlighted the complex neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction vulnerability including the important contribution of epigenetic disturbances to the long-term impact of drugs on the brain and behavior. Dr. Hurd’s basic science research is complemented by clinical studies evaluating the therapeutic potential of novel science-based strategies including phytocannabinoids (such as cannabidiol) and epigenetic medications for the treatment of addiction disorders with a focus on opioid abuse. Based on these high impact accomplishments and her advocacy of drug addiction education and health, Dr. Hurd was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine that complements other honors she has received in the field.

Jayaraj Jayaraman, Ph.D.

Hailing from a small village near Chidambaram in India, Professor Jayaraj Jayaraman graduated in Agriculture, earning a doctoral degree in Plant Pathology at Annamalai University, India. He served as a senior lecturer at Annamalai University till 1999, later completing his postdoctoral work at the Kansas State University (KSU), USA, on a postdoctoral visiting fellowship up to 2000. He served at KSU as Associate Scientist up to 2003 and Senior Scientist at the Simon Fraser University, Canada between 2003 and 2009. In 2009, he joined at the UWI as Senior Lecturer in Microbiology and Biotechnology. Currently he is a Professor of Biotechnology and Plant-Microbiology at the Dept. of Life Sciences, UWI-St. Augustine. He received several awards including the best researcher award from the Tamilnadu State Government, the UNDP and many fellowships.

His current research focuses on development of biological and biotechnological methods for sustainable crop production. His research projects covers specific fields including, Plant-Microbe interactions, elicitor-biomolecules for induced disease resistance, biological control, molecular based disease diagnostics, genetic engineering of plants for stress tolerance and biopharming, and investigation of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens in Trinidad and Tobago. He collaborates extensively with various groups around the world on projects related to the above research fields.

Earle Taylor, Ph.D.

Earle Taylor, is the honorary consul for Jamaica in Namibia, a former Senator in the Jamaican Government, fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, USA, and Fellow of the Ghana Institution of Engineers. Earle is professor of Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management and Public Policy and currently Deputy Vice Chancellor of the International University of Management in Namibia and Chair of the University Senate. He is a professional engineer, econometrician, management specialist, diplomat, strategic planner and an international negotiator. He served in various public and private sector capacities in Jamaica, as well as in 13 countries in Africa, with stints in Europe and USA. He was a senior director for over 10 years in the United Nations System with residence in NY, Vienna and Geneva. An Engineering graduate of the University of Technology, Jamaica (formerly CAST); University of the West Indies, Harvard University/Tufts University, American Century University and Wharton Business School, University of Pennsylvania (USA). In 2002, he graduated from Galilee International Management Institute, Israel, with a postgraduate diploma in National and International Security management. Professor Taylor is an accomplished academician, business person, management consultant and parliamentary specialist, trainer and resource person.

Michael Pepper, Ph.D.

Michael Pepper (MBChB, Cape Town; PhD, Geneva; , MD, Geneva; Privat Docent, Geneva) is Director of the Institute for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and a professor in the Department of Immunology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria. He is also professeur associé in the Department of Genetic Medicine and Development in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. He obtained his MBChB in 1982 from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Cape Town, and moved to Geneva in 1986, where he obtained his PhD in 1990 and MD in 1992. In 1997 he obtained his Habilitation and had the title Privat Docent conferred on him. He returned to South Africa in July 2004.

Michael has worked extensively in the field of clinically-oriented (translational) molecular cell biology, and his current interests include stem cells and the human genome. He is also co-responsible for the Southern African Human Genome Programme which was launched in January 2011. Michael is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Innovation which advises the Minister of Science and Technology, and has developed a 5-day continuing education course in bioentrepreneurship which is now in its 5th year.

Michael has 200 medical and scientific publications and has received a number of awards for his research. He has been extensively involved in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and is frequently solicited as a speaker at local and international meetings. He interacts regularly with the media and writes for the lay press on medical and scientific matters.

Carlos Torres-Ramos, Ph.D.

Dr. Torres-Ramos is Professor at the Department of Physiology and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus (UPRMSC). He obtained his bachelor and master’s degrees in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus. His doctoral degree was obtained at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in the areas of Human Genetics and Cell Biology. He then completed postdoctoral work in Molecular Genetics also at UTMB.

Dr. Torres-Ramos research focuses on understanding the relationship between mitochondrial DNA damage and mitochondrial physiology in the context of carcinogenesis and aging. His laboratory utilizes yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model to understand basic DNA repair questions and mouse and cell culture models to answer questions with a translational research emphasis. At UPRMSC he has excelled in teaching graduate, medical and dental medicine students. Dr. Torres-Ramos has a strong commitment with undergraduate research training and over the years has hosted more than 30 undergraduate students in his laboratory. These students have moved on forward to pursue graduate and medical degrees.

Dr. Torres-Ramos was president of the American Association for Advancement in Science Caribbean Division from 2014-2015 and continues to serve as board member. He has also volunteered in projects hosted by the San Juan Bay National Estuary, a non-for-profit organization whose mission is to restore and conserve the water quality of the San Juan estuary. He also volunteers at the Club Adjunteño, an organization that contributes to improve the education quality in his hometown Adjuntas, a small town nestled in the mountain region in Puerto Rico.

Cliff Riley, Ph.D.

Cliff Riley is the Chief Operations Officer (Latin America and the Caribbean) of New Leaf Canada Inc and CEO of Research and Product Development Solutions, Jamaica. He holds a PhD in Biotechnology (Pharmaceutical), A Master of Arts (Teaching), and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of the West Indies, Mona. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Jamaica National Agency for Certification, (JANAAC) and is currently a Director, Carnegie Foundation for Cancer Research; Trustee, Environmental Health Foundation; Board Member, Diabetes Association of Jamaica; Director of the Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre; President of CARISCIENCE; Member, University Council of Jamaica S&T Advisory Committee; Member of the Board of Graduate Studies, Research and Entrepreneurship, UTech, Jamaica; Member of the Board of Graduate Studies and Research, Caribbean Maritime University;, among others. Dr. Riley also served as the Executive Director of the Scientific research Council (2015-2021), an Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Graduate Studies and Research at UTech, Jamaica (2008-2015) and Associate Director, Research and Grants at the Northern Caribbean University (2006-2008).

He has done extensive research and published numerous scientific papers and books in diabetes management and education, pharmaceutics, nutrition, food technology, and natural products. He is an active member of several professional organizations including the Biochemical Society, UK, Society for Scientific Advancement (SOSA) the Caribbean Academy of Science (CAS) and the University Diabetes Outreach Programme (UDOP).

Craig Fletcher, Ph.D.

Professor Craig Fletcher, PhD, DVM, is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, Director of the Division of Comparative Medicine, Vice Chair and Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Dr. Fletcher advises the Vice Chancellor for Research on strategic planning for research involving animals and participates in the design of new research and administrative initiatives and strategies.

Dr. Fletcher has a B.S. degree in Laboratory Animal Science from North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University, completed his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. and postdoctoral training in Infectious Disease and vascular biology from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. After completing post-doctoral fellowship positions at Johns Hopkins University medical school, he joined the faculty in the Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology before joining the distinguished faculty in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UNC.

Courtney Betty

Courtney Betty began his legal career with the Department of Justice Canada where he developed knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework. He successfully carried out prosecutions on behalf of the government in the areas of civil, criminal, tax and commercial law. The Government of Jamaica then recruited him to join the Jamaica Fair Trade Commission and develop a framework for the deregulation of telecom. He was subsequently called upon by AT&T to serve as a legal and business development expert. Today, as President and CEO of Timeless Herbal Care Mr. Betty is focused on helping to advance the international trade of legal medicinal marijuana products.

Throughout his legal career, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to social justice and equity as recognized by the city of Toronto, which awarded him the William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations, and by the province of Ontario through the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Mr. Betty now brings his legal and business experience to the growing industry of marijuana.

Alyse Courtines

Alyse Courtines is a Senior Vice President of Global Accounts at Opus Agency, an experience agency that aims to bring people together and forge a lasting connection through exceptional virtual, in-person and hybrid events. Alyse is a dynamic professional with over 25 years of experience in marketing, events, client service, finance and production. Prior to Opus Alyse was Vice President of Client Services for MKTG, an experiential marketing agency that is part of the Dentsu Aegis Network. She was selected to participate in Dentsu Aegis Network’s high potential leadership program (Route 500), and was matched with the SOSA through the Route 2 Good initiative. She has worked with the SOSA’s founders to provide marketing and communications strategy to help further the Society’s mission.

Alyse has also held positions at IMG, Hat Rack Productions, Columbia Records, and Salomon Brothers. She holds a BSFS from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and has studied abroad in France, China and Sweden. She currently resides in Los Angeles.