The SOSA

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SOSA's 11th Symposium

We are excited to announce that we have revamped our programming to focus on Innovation & Collaboration to Build Resilience in Jamaica and the Caribbean. In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which highlighted the urgent need for innovation, adaptable systems, and community strength, our renewed approach emphasizes innovative & practical solutions for recovery and long-term preparedness.
 
Continuing our trajectory of meeting students’ needs, our Outreach Efforts will now focus on supporting the recovery of STEM education capacity for schools in Western and Southwestern Jamaica that were hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa.

Step into the forefront of innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact at SOSA’s 11th Symposium!

Join a dynamic lineup of stimulating sessions designed to expand knowledge, foster collaboration, and stimulate innovation on March 23, 2026, at the University of the West Indies, Mona in Kingston, Jamaica.

  • Sessions include innovation ideation and teaming to support new interdisciplinary collaborations. 

  • Position yourself at the nexus of science and application by engaging in this transformative event that will cultivate discovery, collaboration, and professional advancement.

  • Present a poster to showcase your research to an audience of diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. 

  • Support our Mobile STEPS efforts to support the recovery of STEM education capacity in South & Western Jamaica. 

In conjunction with the Symposium, outreach efforts will focus on the recovery of schools in Western & Southwestern Jamaica

More on the Syposium

SCHEDULE

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN STANDARD TIME (EST)

Monday, Mar 23, 2026 | UWI, Mona

9:00am
SESSION I

Collaborative Genomics: Equity, Deployment, and Real World Impact

11:20am
SESSION II

Resilience Ideation for Scientific Exploration (RISE) Workshop & Teaming Session

1:30pm
SESSION III

Advancing Human & Environmental Health

3:00pm
SESSION IV: PANEL DISCUSSION

AI: Use, Governance, and Implications in Health & Technology

4:00pm
SESSION V

Seeding Collaborations

4:30pm
SESSION VI: POSTER SESSION & RECEPTION

Awards & Networking

Speakers, Panelists, and Session Chairs

  • Craig Fletcher, PhD, DVM; Associate Vice Chancellor, UNC-Chapel Hill
  • Marcia Roye, PhD; Director, Graduate Studies and Research, UWI, Mona
  • Yusuf Henriques, MS, MPH; Chief Executive Officer, IndyGeneUS BIO
  • Paola Giusti-Rodriguez, PhD; Assistant Professor, University of Florida
  • Oscar Rodriguez, PhD; Assistant Professor, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
  • Devy Frederick, MSc; Head of Business Development, CariGenetics
  • Danielle Webster, PhD; Senior Lecturer, University of Central Florida 
  • Prudence Hall, MSc; Global Health & Systems Strengthening Specialist, Translational Medicine & Healthcare Standards Development
  • Melissa Sanderson, PhD; Senior Lecturer, University of Technology
  • Sasha Gay Wright, PhD; Head, Biomedical Engineering, UWI  
  • Natwaine Gardner, PhD; Principal Director of Science in the Office of the Prime Minister
  • Reginald Archer, PhD; Associate Professor, Tennessee State University
  • Oswaldo Lozoya, PhD; Scientific Computing Principal Investigator, RTI International
  • Cordel Green, MBA, LLB, LLM; Executive Director, Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica
  • Melissa Daley, MTE; Chief Executive Officer, Orca Intelligence
  • Ricardo Harripaul, PhD; Senior Scientist, Computational Multiomics, Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine
  • Icolyn Amarakoon, PhD; Lecturer, University of the West Indies
  • Keriayn Smith, MSQM, PhD; Associate Professor, UNC-Chapel Hill