Whether through groundbreaking research, innovative engineering or impactful public health initiatives, the Caribbean has produced remarkable women who have made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These trailblazers have demonstrated that dedication, passion and innovation can lead to significant contributions to global knowledge and society.
Their achievements not only highlight their personal successes, but also pave the way for future generations of women in STEM, inspiring young minds to dream big and pursue their passions despite it being a male-dominated field.
Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne
Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne is an aerospace engineer and space scientist from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. She has an impressive roster of degrees, including a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Alleyne is now an esteemed member of NASA, where she currently serves as the Associate Program Scientist for the International Space Station at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. She has worked on various missions and programs, including the Orion Project and the Constellation Program, as well as played a significant role in NASA’s international partnerships and collaborations in human space exploration.
Outside of her current role, Dr. Alleyne is a STEM advocate, particularly for women. She is the founder of the Brightest Stars Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, empowering, and inspiring young women to pursue careers in STEM.
Dr. Deborah Persaud
Born in Guyana and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Deborah Persaud is a renowned virologist and pediatric infectious disease specialist. She earned her medical degree from New York University and completed her residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.
Dr. Persaud is celebrated for her groundbreaking research in pediatric HIV. She was a lead investigator in the “Mississippi baby” case, which marked the first documented instance of HIV remission in a child. Since, she has received numerous awards, including the Elizabeth Glaser Scientist Award for her contributions to HIV research and in 2013 she was recognized by Time magazine as among the “100 Most Influential People” of that year.
Dr. Persaud is a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she continues her pioneering work in HIV/AIDS drug development and mother-to-child HIV transmission as the Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Bernadette Theodore-Gandi
Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Bernadette Theodore-Gandi is a medical doctor and public health expert. She holds degrees from the University of the West Indies and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Dr. Theodore-Gandi has held various leadership roles in public health, including with the World Health Organization (WHO), where she worked on health policy and program implementation in the Caribbean and Latin America. She has also been instrumental in developing and implementing strategies to combat non-communicable diseases in the region, as well as acting as a strong advocate for health education and the empowerment of women in health sciences.
In 2018 she held a Caribbean Health Forum Leadership in partnership with The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at Harvard University Leadership Forums on “Perspectives on Caribbean Health.” She is also a published author in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization on the title “Health Conditions in the Caribbean: Pan American Health Organization Scientific Publication No. 561” which examines the significant changes in the health landscape of the Caribbean from 1989-1992, highlighting the impact of social inequities and poverty.
Dr. Maya Trotz
Dr. Maya Trotz is a Guyanese environmental engineer with a focus on sustainable development. She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and is now a professor at the University of South Florida, where she conducts research on water quality, sustainability and environmental health.
Throughout her career, Dr. Trotz has worked extensively on projects that engage communities in sustainable practices, particularly in the Caribbean. With a background in chemical and environmental engineering from MIT and Stanford, she has served on the governing council of the Caribbean Science Foundation and spent a sabbatical year with them as a visiting research scientist. Dr. Trotz also holds a patent for functional composites and received numerous awards, including the 2014 AEESP Award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Engineering and Science Education.
