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New Scientist - Ms Kadesha Croney
1d

Ms. Kadesha Croney is a rising leader in STEM education, educational leadership, and youth development in Jamaica. She previously served as a Chemistry & Biology Teacher and Sixth Form Coordinator at Immaculate Conception High School, where she played a significant role in student leadership, STEM engagement, and academic development. Ms. Croney began her teaching career in science at a small rural primary school in St Mary, where she discovered both her passion for education and her gift for teaching. During this period, she pursued tertiary studies and earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Plant Biology and Psychology from The University of the West Indies, Mona. Her leadership journey extends beyond the classroom. During her time at university, she held several student leadership positions, including Faculty Student Representative for Chemistry, President of the UWI Red Cross Society, and President of UWI Leads: Social Justice and Change Club. She has also been a strong advocate for youth involvement in agriculture and science. Ms.Croney previously served as the National Youth Minister of Agriculture through Jamaica’s National Youth Parliament under the Ministry of Youth and was crowned the Jamaica Agricultural Society’s Miss St. Mary Farm Queen. In addition, she received numerous awards and recognitions through the Jamaica 4-H Clubs for her leadership, youth development, and agricultural engagement. After completing her undergraduate degree in 2019, she joined DOA International Education, an online educational platform where she contributed to the development and delivery of quality virtual science learning experiences across the Caribbean. She continues to support STEM education through consultancy, teacher training, educational outreach, and the production of science teaching resources and videos for secondary students. Between 2023 and 2026, Ms. Croney completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Training at the Vocational Training Development Institute and earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Educational Leadership and Management from The University of the West Indies, Mona. She continues to strengthen her leadership and professional practice through certifications and professional development opportunities with organizations such as the National College for Educational Leadership. Ms. Croney currently serves as Vice President of the Association of Science Teachers of Jamaica, Vice President of the Kingston and St Andrew Red Cross Youth Section, an examinations supervisor for the Overseas Examinations Commission, and an Adjunct Lecturer in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Professional Development. Ms. Croney is also the recipient of several national awards and recognitions for her academic excellence, leadership, and community service. These include the Governor-General’s Achievement Award for Excellence 2018 and the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Excellence in Service 2013, which recognized her outstanding contributions to youth and community.
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New Scientist - Dr. Sharon Smith
3d

Dr. Sharon Smith has been the Director of the Mona Entrepreneurial and Commercialization Centre (MECC) at The University of the West Indies since 2015. She combines the inquiring mind and scientific approach of her undergraduate degree in chemistry with her post-graduate studies and research in business management and marketing, to provide effective support for young entrepreneurs. A graduate of St. Hugh’s High School she completed a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry with a minor in Food and Agricultural Microbiology at The University of the West Indies, Mona. On graduating from The UWI with an Honours degree, she started her career at the Jamaica Bureau of Standards, developing standards and monitoring food processing plants. That experience with commerce and industry led to a desire to understand the science behind business and so she went on to earn a Master in Business Administration degree (MBA) from Nova Southeastern University. She later worked in pharmaceutical sales and marketing for several international companies. Perhaps this experience led her to pursue and earn her Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) and then Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees from City University of New York, specialising in international business and specifically, marketing and consumer psychology. Dr. Sharon Smith worked in academia initially as a tutor to support her own education and later as a lecturer and eventually as an Assistant Professor at DePaul University, Chicago for over 6 years. She provides marketing and business consultancy services through her own company and others, producing business development and marketing strategies with a focus on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. She has developed marketing research projects, global entry strategies and cross-cultural sensitivity training for global and international firms across diverse industries with a focus on the Caribbean and Latin America. A fierce advocate for girls and women’s rights, Dr. Smith has provided practical support to several civil society organisations including the St. Hugh’s Past Students’ Association and Foundation and the Elsie Bemand Home for Girls. For her outstanding achievements and contribution to Entrepreneurial Development and Educational Service, the St. Hugh’s Past Students’ Association conferred on Dr. Sharon Smith, the award of Distinguished Past Student for 2025
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New Scientist - Mr. Kersen Stephens
May 5, 2026

Mr. Kersen Stephens, FRM is the Manager – Credit Decisioning and Risk Modeling Domain with the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Financial Group. He previously served as the Quantitative Risk Manager with the NCB Financial Group and has over 10 years of leadership experience in the financial industry across the fields of risk management, data analytics, statistics and finance. Excelling in mathematics and sports from his secondary school days at Munro College, Mr. Stephens went on to tertiary studies in actuarial science at The University of the West Indies fully supported by a UWI Open Scholarship Award. On completing the course of study, he received his B.Sc. (Hons) in Actuarial Science from the Faculty of Science and Technology (Mathematics Department) at The UWI, Mona. His career began at the Bank of Jamaica as a Statistics Officer before he joined the NCB Financial Group. He later earned a M.Sc. (Hons) in Financial Mathematics from the North Carolina State University as a Fulbright Scholar. Mr. Stephens is a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) underscoring his expertise in quantitative risk and financial modelling. Beyond his professional achievements he remains an avid sports enthusiast and serves as the Treasurer of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Mona Chapter of the UWI Alumni Association.
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New Scientist - Dr. Lilieth Nelson
May 4, 2026

Dr. Lilieth Nelson dubbed the “artistic scientist” by Professor, the Hon. Rex Nettleford (when he was the artistic director for the University Singers, with whom she sang for many years) is a chemist and celebrated educator, singer, poet and entrepreneur. She has acted in several theatrical productions and is a published author. Dr. Nelson read her poem, “Ode to Scientists of the 60s at The UWI” during the launch of the FiWi Science Initiative in January, 2025. Born in Kingston, Dr. Nelson attended St. Hugh’s High School and credits her interest in science to the many visits the students took to the Institute of Jamaica. She graduated from The University of the West Indies with a B.Sc. in Chemistry, Botany and Zoology (Life Sciences) in 1967 and went on to further her studies with Diplomas in Education and in Management Studies. She taught chemistry and general science at the secondary levels in the Bahamas and Jamaica, and later, the tertiary level at Mico Teachers’ College. After 10 years as a stellar science educator she moved on to the Ministry of Mining and Energy as a Project Manager where she directed the Bioenergy Assessment Project for Jamaica and produced the Energy Coordinator’s Handbook as a guide for managing and conserving energy across institutions. From there, she moved on to become the Managing Director of Jamaica Laboratory & Industrial Suppliers Ltd. a leading distributor of chemicals and scientific equipment for research and analysis in the industrial, medical and educational sectors. During this time she furthered her education with a Masters of Arts Degree (MA) in Education, focusing on the Teaching of Chemistry at Secondary and Tertiary Levels in Jamaica, and an Executive Masters of Business Administration (EMBA) with a focus on International Marketing. Between 1992 and 2009 she was the Head of International Programmes at The University of the West Indies and started her doctoral research on the Internationalisation of Universities at this time. She graduated with her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education in 2013 in which she examined the cost in relation to benefits of cross-border education. Though retired, Dr. Nelson keeps busy spending time with family and friends, working on consultancies, writing and through involvement and leadership roles in several organisations. These include the Institute of Jamaica’s Natural History Division, The Association of Science Teachers of Jamaica, The Jamaican Society of Scientists and Technologists; The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission; Business and Professional Women, St. Andrew; The University Singers of which she was the Musical Director for seven years and singer for 30 years; Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) and the St. Hugh’s Past Students’ Association. Dr. Lilieth Nelson was celebrated by the St. Hugh’s Past Students’ Association as the Distinguished Past Student for 1989, for her work in the Arts and with the School. In 2016 she received the Order of Distinction, Commander Class from the Government of Jamaica for outstanding contribution in the fields of Education, Literature and Jamaican Folk Culture. In 2023, she was honoured by the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons, with the Living Legacy Award for entrepreneurship, education and culture.
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New Scientist - Ms Shonel Dwyer
Apr 29, 2026

Ms. Shonel Dwyer is a geologist and water sector policy specialist with over twenty (20) years of experience. She currently serves as Director of Water Monitoring in the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change. In this position, she provides strategic oversight of national water sector initiatives and supports the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks that inform policy and enable infrastructure investment in the expansion of water supply coverage across the island and the achievement of national water resource management priorities. Ms. Dwyer developed a strong interest in geography while attending Montego Bay High School, which inspired her to pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Geology and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Water Resources Management at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. Her career reflects a blend of scientific and policy leadership within Jamaica’s water sector. She began at the Water Resources Authority (WRA), where she spent nine (9) years conducting hydrological investigations, supervising well drilling and development, and managing a licensed water allocation system (via Permits and Licenses) to support sustainable development. She later served as a Senior Geologist at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, contributing to oil and gas exploration and the development of associated environmental regulations. Through these roles, Ms. Dwyer has contributed to national water policy and strategic initiatives aimed at modernising the sector, improving water supply, strengthening resilience, and promoting sustainable resource management. Ms. Dwyer is the first Public Relations & Communications Officer for the Faculty of Science and Technology, Mona Chapter of the UWI Alumni Association.
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Description

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Individuals dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, discovery, and innovation, often with specialized training and expertise in specific scientific disciplines. They include researchers, educators, conservationists, and professionals who actively contribute to the advancement of science.

Publicize your work to a regional audience including government and industry members.

Individuals that are passionate about science but who may not hold formal scientific qualifications but possess an insatiable curiosity about the world around them. They are explorers, learners, and avid supporters of scientific endeavours.

Make contact with and learn about our local Scientists.

This account is for businesses to showcase their scientific services to a science community.

Free listing on the Fiwi Yellowpages.

This account is for educational institutions to display their work and workers in the scientific field.

Make unlimited posts to the Fiwi Events Calendar where your local events are exposed to a much wider regional audience.

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