Fantasy by the Sea: St. Thomas Winner of UVI’s 13D Entrepreneurship Competition Turns Dream into Reality

Patsy Bruenlin in the Reception Area of Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden, Home to more than 1,000 Orchids

For years, Patsy Breunlin dreamed of starting her own business.  So when she learned in 2013 that she did not have to be a matriculated student at the University of the Virgin Islands in order to take a course in entrepreneurship, she dashed over to the University and registered.  The course would enable her to participate in the University’s 13D Entrepreneurship Competition, a collaborative program between UVI and 13D Research (USVI) LLC in which students compete to win start-up capital for their emerging businesses.

Gifts and Refreshments

Patsy had a big project in the works: A tropical botanical garden that was ready to be transformed into a local eco-attraction.  But first she needed financing and some business expertise.  Her instincts were spot-on; the course, taught by Dr. Tim Faley, provided the coaching and preparation she would need to successfully compete in the 13D program, and her second-place finish yielded $20,000 in start-up capital.  After 20 years of clearing and weeding, trimming and pruning, digging and planting, the Florida-born architect and general contractor was finally in a position to realize her dream of opening Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden to the public.   

“The garden was my passion even before I owned this property, and creating it has been a labor of love,” said Patsy, gesturing toward a gently sloping path which leads visitors into a naturally air-conditioned, and perfumed, cascade of more than a thousand orchids and hundreds of bromeliads, heliconias, gingers, palms, aroids and succulents.  “I brought my plant collection to St. Thomas when I moved here in 1987, and spent the next six years looking for the perfect place to put them in the ground.  It wasn’t until a friend told me that the garden ‘was just too good not to share it with others’ that I decided to create a traditional botanical garden for St. Thomas, since it didn’t have one already.”  

Steps Leading into the Garden

Patsy’s discovery that botanical gardens were allowed in her zoning area near the top of St. Peter Mountain on the north side of St. Thomas, overlooking Magen’s Bay, galvanized her to obtain a business license in 2000.  This led to the construction of the garden’s labyrinth of paths, steps and planting areas.  She also collected and installed many new plants, which she looked forward to sharing with visitors from near and far as she transitioned away from architecture and contracting toward what she had already started to think of as her “retirement career” in the garden.  The start-up capital that she secured through the partnership between UVI and 13D provided the funds she needed to complete the parking area and buildings.  Phantasea opened to the public on February 7, 2015. 

“The garden is a one-of-a-kind attraction on St. Thomas,” said Dr. Glenn A. Metts, Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship.  “Unlike other attractions which can be built over a year or so, a botanical garden takes many years, even decades to mature.  Patsy’s love of gardening existed long before she turned it into a business.”

Ms. Bruenlin found the course and the competition’s requirments to be both rigorous and helpful.  Under the supervision of Dr. Faley, she constructed a detailed business plan that prompted her to research approximately how many tourist-filled safari’s drive by her property on an average day (68) and the popularity of gardening (fifth most popular hobby in America.)  She wrote an effective “elevator pitch” and learned how to create persuasive Power Point presentations.  She developed a marketing strategy, which led to a solid web presence complete with website, social media, and a fruitful account on TripAdvisor.  “The UVI program was tough,” said Patsy. “They teach you how to understand your business in terms of how economically viable it has the potential to be.  Several people dropped out along the way.  It’s not an academic exercise; it really is about getting successful businesses started in the Territory.”

Patsy Behind the Front Desk

One year after she opened Phantasea, Patsy has a guest book filled with glowing remarks about the magnificent beauty and transcendent serenity of the garden.  She has 51 reviews with an overall rating of excellent on TripAdvisor.  She is, according to Dr. Metts, a “patient, hard-working and extremely determined entrepreneur.”  Nevertheless, she is frustrated by how difficult it has been to break into the excursions marketplace on St. Thomas, much of which is controlled by third-party organizers.  “I’ve enjoyed a lot of support from this community,” she said.  “I thought that it would be easier to get in with cruise ship tourism.  I also didn’t realize just how much work it was going to be to maintain the garden while at the same time managing guests and keeping up with all of the marketing.” 

Despite her concerns, the Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden appears to be holding its own with 168 visitors during the first three weeks of January, most of which were referred by TripAdvisor, and a steadily growing reputation locally and online.  Dr. Metts agrees that the garden is a tough business, but remains optimistic about its potential to provide a good living for the owner, while at the same time enriching the St. Thomas community.  “Once she can get enough attention through the media, I think Phantasea will be a great attraction for St. Thomas visitors,” said Dr. Metts.  “Patsy is not a major corporation so she has to rely on local media more and she deserves all of our help in making Phantasea a success.  What we need to realize about Phantasea is that the cost of actually developing the garden over more than a decade was tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention the cost of the property.  A tropical garden owned by an individual requires a lot of money over a long period of time with no payback.  That is the real value of Phantasea; nobody can just install a botanical garden.  It reflects decades of work just to be ready for the first visitor.”

If you have a great idea for a business start-up, consider entrepreneurship classes at UVI.  You too will have the chance to win $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 in start-up capital. Entrepreneurship classes are available to all students regardless of their major, as well as to members of the broader Virgin Islands Community.

Purple Orchid in Bloom

UVI Innovation Center to Spark Creativity and Entrepreneurship

UVIDEA club members present UVI's new 3D Printer

This spring, the University of the Virgin Islands made history with its first open house to showcase state of the art Innovation Centers.  Outfitted with computers, work tables, white boards and a 3-D printer – from which actual models or product prototypes can be digitally rendered out of biodegradable plastic – the newly established centers are located on the St. Thomas Campus and on the Albert A. Sheen campus on St. Croix.

UVI President David Hall addresses students, faculty and partners
at the official opening of UVI's innovation center

UVI President David Hall referred to the centers as “maker spaces” in which students will be encouraged to gather, brainstorm, and channel their classroom knowledge into creative endeavors with entrepreneurial potential.

“So many of the technological innovations we now take for granted were developed by real people in garages and basements and back rooms throughout the territory and the country,” says Dr. Hall.  “When you’re using something like a mobile phone app, it’s easy to forget that somebody actually thought about this.  Somebody put their energy into solving all of the problems that needed to be solved in order to make this application available and convenient to use.  We want that same energy to exist here at UVI. Our hope is that we will soon outgrow this innovation space and have to expand.”

“The Innovation Center is going to be a place where students can let their creative juices flow and know that others are there for the same reason,” says UVI Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Camille McKayle.  “It was gratifying to see the turnout at the opening and the sparkle in the eyes of those in attendance,” she said at the open house.  “Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship Association (UVIDEA) is a growing student organization, and I am sure they will consider this their new home.”

 “Investing in the progression of innovative ideas from our students will only return positive results for the university and the community as a whole,” says Daricia Wilkinson, UVIDEA club member.  She feels confident that the center will appeal to a growing number of young people as the semester unfolds. “The launch of the Innovation Center signifies the start of a new era in which Virgin Islanders will no longer be just the consumers of technological and innovative products, but also the creators.”

Leon Hughes (left) and Tim Faley (right) admire 3D
printer objects

Dr. Tim Faley, distinguished professor of Entrepreneurship and Special Assistant to the President, saw no reason why UVI should not join Stanford, MIT, the University of Michigan and other institutions that have already established thriving innovation centers. “The next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs are going to need both knowledge and know-how,” says Faley. “Knowledge can be transferred in a course setting, but developing know-how often requires hands-on experience. That experience can be acquired in experiential learning programs.”

The first such program emerged in the form of a $5 million grant from Kiril Sokoloff, the founder of the Research and Technology Park company, 13D Research (USVI) LLC.  The grant established a robust, cross-campus entrepreneurship and innovation initiative at UVI.  Under this initiative, the 13D Entrepreneurship Competition was created, in which any student who is enrolled in the university – though not necessarily full-time – can compete to win $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 in start-up capital for his or her business proposal.  

Objects rendered from 3D printer

Another business collaboration that is fostering innovation initiatives at UVI involves Leon Hughes, founder of the St. Croix-based software technology company Nearix.  He believes that Hackathons – weekend-long events in which students work around the clock to find technology-based solutions to real-world problems, mostly in the form of website development or mobile phone apps – will help to promote a culture of creative problem solving among young people in the territory.  Hughes began to sponsor hackathons on both campuses in 2015.  Cash prizes totaling $900 have been awarded for the best hack, the most innovative hack, the most impactful hack and the most sustainability focused hack.

A look inside the new Innovation Center on the
 Sheen Campus . 

The UVI Hackathons were such dynamic events that President Hall and Dr. Faley undertook to create a physical space in which the brainstorming and collaboration could go on indefinitely.  “Our center is going to function as a working laboratory in which students from different academic backgrounds can pool their talent and work toward common goals, just like they do in real companies,” says Dr. Faley. 

Buccaneer Empowerment Seminar Helps Students Prepare for Future

Mary Myers (left) and Verna Rivers (Right) were two of many speakers at the first ever Buccaneer Empowerment Seminar (BES) on the St. Thomas Campus

January 28, marked the first ever Buccaneer Empowerment Seminar (BES), a forum aimed to inform students of the dynamics of professional development.

The three-hour seminar took place on the University’s  – St. Thomas Campus. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Golden Key Honor Society, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Student Government Association (SGA), who were able to have experienced professionals from a number of different fields speak to UVI students.

Each presenter offered tips and advice from their own experiences. Topics ranged from how to dress for an interview to getting your first credit card. The seminar also included, an hour-long résumé workshop – a time where students could talk one-on-one with a career service counselor on ways in which they can restructure, or enhance the quality of their résumé.

Opening Ceremony

Patrice Harris talks about how to make

 a good first impression and how it can

 help you land a job.

The afternoon kicked off with Patrice Harris, the news director at WUVI – UVI’s student radio station. Harris said in the past, she has had to persuade bosses on why she should get a position, whether it is a full-time job or a summer internship. 

Harris then had a student (voluntarily) give her a 20-second speech introducing themselves and stating why they would be the best fit for their dream job.  After working with the student for about two minutes, the student developed a great 20-second speech. Harris said that making an introduction to an interviewer comes down to two key components: having confidence and being persuasive.

Harris also expressed how important it is to make a good first impression. She emphasized that in a tough job market you need to make sure you nail your interview and capitalize on every opportunity you get

Career Services and Résumé Fundamentals

Mary Myers, a programs specialist for UVI’s Provost’s office, and Verna Rivers, the dean of students at UVI, hosted the second speech of the day which was broken down into two parts. Part one focused on acing the interview and dressing the part, while the second half focused on building your résumé.

In the first half of the presentation, both mentioned that everyone should have a professional email and not have anything inappropriate or tasteless on social networking profiles. On the contrary, they mentioned how “Thank you” notes are a gesture that can increase your chances of landing a job.

Myers and Rivers also talked about what to wear for an interview. They both recounted experiences where interviewees have dressed inappropriately or they have features that draw the interviewers away from the substance of the conversation.

“You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression,” Rivers said, as she recounted interviewing someone with bad drawn-on eyebrows.

The second half of the presentation focused on re-tooling and improving one’s résumé. Rivers and Myers shared tips such as not putting your high school education information on your résumé if you are in college. Moreover, they said to make sure you are showing future employers the skills you gained, and not just summarizing the duties of your previous positions.

“I got a lot of great tips from both of them [Myers and Rivers]. I realized that there are definitely some things I need to change on my résumé,” said Mackenzie Lewis, an exchange student at UVI. 

Following the hour-long presentation was a résumé workshop, which allowed students to sit down with faculty members from career services to ask questions or fix problems on their résumés.

Students work one-on-one with professionals from career services on ways to fix their résumés.

Becoming an Entrepreneur

The third presenter of the day was Albert Richardson, who is currently a financial manager at Scotia Bank, but is a former entrepreneur. He spoke about finding startup money, risk management, insurance options and even dealing with landlords, and how well all those things correlate with owning a business.

“The things I am telling you today are things I learned on the street and through my experiences. These are not things you will learn in school,” Richardson said.

He reflected fondly on his days as a business owner, and he recommended it to anyone who is willing to work long hours and make sacrifices.

“At the end of the day when it comes to owning a business, you cannot doubt yourself. You have to believe in yourself and what you are doing, if you want to be successful,” Richardson said.

After the presentation, The UVI Innovation Design and Entrepreneurship Association (UVIDEA) and the University Innovation Freshmen (UIF) sponsored a 30-minute event on generating and improving quick business pitches and ideas.

Creating a Financial Plan

Shayla Solomon, a projects coordinator at
Banco Popular, discusses steps students should take
now to plan for life after graduation.

Shayla Solomon, a Projects Coordinator at Banco Popular, rounded out the day with a presentation on financial planning. Solomon touched on how to open a checking account or a savings account, while also discussing terms such as APR, interests rates, and IRA’s and what they mean and how they affect personal finances. 

Solomon offered a number of tips on budgeting and how to build credit early in your life. She also assured students that credit cards are not a bad thing – if used properly.

“From this age, I want to make sure you are making smart financial decisions to help you in the future,” Solomon said.

Conclusion

Each presenter at the seminar shared experiences and tips that are sure to stick with students as they prepare for life after university. From strengthening résumés, to developing a financial plan, students were given valuable insight on what it takes to be successful in the outside world. 

The majority of the students at the event were members of the Golden Key Honor Society, the Student Government Association or the National Society of Black Engineers – the three organizations that put this event together. Next year, they are hoping the seminar will attract all students from UVI, so everyone can obtain guidance from professionals.

“I feel like all students would benefit from opportunities like this,” said Mary Myers from the UVI Provost’s Office. “There were some great speakers at this event.”

Students receive a certificate after staying for the three-hour-long seminar.

At the end of the conference, all those who attended the seminar were awarded certificates. One student in attendance was Lisa Marie-Hodge, a junior at UVI and a member of the UVI SGA.

“BES was a great event. I learned so much from all the speakers. I’m thankful that these three organizations were able to come together and create such an awesome conference. It proves that UVI cares about their students even after they graduate,” Hodge said.

UVI Bucs Triumph at Paradise Jam Exhibition Game

Students adorned the Sports and Fitness Center (SFC) with their UVI gear
and painted faces to cheer the Buccaneers to victory.

With a score of 77-61, the UVI Buccaneers defeated the British Virgin Islands All Star team during the annual Paradise Jam exhibition game, held Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 in UVI’s Sports and Fitness Center. Paradise Jam gives men’s and women’s college basketball teams a pre-season opportunity to test and fine-tune their skills while having some fun in the sun.

Coach Myron Brown gives the team a pep talk
during the 2015 Paradise Jam game against the BVI All Star team.

The Bucs earned an early lead in the game and held on to it throughout the first and second quarters, bringing the halftime score to 36 – 21. In the third quarter, BVI pulled ahead quickly and forced UVI to play catch up; but in the end, the Bucs sealed the victory.

Captain of the Bucs, John Nunnally, led the way, contributing 20 points to the team’s win. Paul Watson and Leo Castillo both chipped in with 10 points apiece; and Steven “Ace” Watkins, forward, managed to block six shots and grab eight rebounds.

Coach Myron Brown has been conditioning the players since October 2015 and describes practice as “structured and organized.”  After reviewing plays, the players work the defensive side of the ball for more than half of an intense three hour practice. 

John Nunnally seized the moment
for a dunk at the 2015 Paradise Jam
Basketball tournament.

The game included halftime performances by the UVI Treasures Dance Team and the cheerleaders. The dance team took the floor and energized the audience with their shimmering gold outfits and an original hip hop, R & B and Spanish infused routine. The cheerleaders followed with an exceptional rhythmic and acrobatic number, jam-packed with smiling faces, pompoms, and even more energy. 

While the action taking place on the court was, of course, the highlight of the night; there was action stirring on the bleachers as well.  Behind the dance team and cheerleaders sat a dedicated crowd of painted faces, blue and white shirts, and a placard that read, “What the Bucs.” It all came together as a creative and exciting display of school pride. “I have dreamed of this during various basketball games in the past, and to see it manifest itself was very touching and inspiring,” said President David Hall in his emailed community address.

What’s next on the Bucs docket? For spring 2016, they will participate in the Liga Atletica Interuniversitaria, the Intercollegiate Athletic League of Puerto Rico. According to Coach Brown, the team’s toughest challenges have to do with support – from the University campus and the VI community. “We hope to represent the University in high class model where everyone will be proud to call themselves a Buccaneer,” he says.

Hall Honored with Tommy Star and Thurgood Marshall Awards

President Hall (left) and Professor Tamara Lang (right) pose with Hospitality students at the Tommy Star Awards. (Photo right) Dr. Hall stands with TMCF Educational Leadership Award.

In its 50 plus years, the University of the Virgin Islands has received numerous awards on behalf of its stellar students, prestigious faculty and is associated with greatness because of its talented alumni.

This fall, UVI’s fifth president Dr. David Hall, received local and national awards for his leadership and dedication to excellence.

U.S. Congress Woman Alma Adams presented President Hall with the Thurgood Marshall Educational Leadership Award on Nov. 16, at the 27^th annual Thurgood Marshall Awards Gala in Washington, D.C.

“My charge as I see it is to give this community a license to dream again, to believe in each other again and reach for the stars of greatness,” said Adams as she quoted Dr. Hall.

Dr. Hall (left) accepts Thurgood Marshall 

Award from Congress Woman Alma Adams &

 Johnny C. Taylor, TMCF president & CEO.  

 “Under Dr. Hall’s leadership UVI has made important strides towards raising the image and the position of the University,” Adams said. “He has implemented new programs and increased resources to ensure that all students who enter the University achieve and realize their dreams of academic success on both campuses.”

This award is compelling evidence that the University is on the right path, said President Hall, before an audience of celebrities, industry leaders, and hundreds of Thurgood Marshall Scholars in the International Ballroom at the Washington Hilton.

“This prestigious award is not for me, but for the faculty, staff, students, cabinet members and president’s office staff of a unique and wonderful University that is located in paradise, but whose mission is to transform stifled dreams into unlimited possibilities,” he said. “Our Strategic Plan requires us to work hard to make sure that every student who graduates from UVI, is academically sensitive, entrepreneurially excellent, globally sensitive, entrepreneurially focused, emotionally and spiritually balanced and willing to serve the world.”

A UVI delegation poses with Dr. Hall at the TMCF Gala.

 “Dr. Hall is one of the hardest-working, steadfast leaders in the HBCU community,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., TMCF president and CEO. “There are few higher education executives who have the ability to lead with vision – always seeking cutting-edge solutions and creating a vibrant 21^st century HBCU.” 

The TMCF Education Leadership Award is the highest individual award presented annually to a president of an HBCU who has demonstrated outstanding business, academic and visionary leadership through effective management of his or her institution.

A small delegation of UVI administrators, staffers, deans and 11 students from the St. Thomas Campus and the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix were present at the gala. The students were in Washington, D.C. attending the annual TMCF Leadership Institute. A delegation of students attend the institute annually.  

Tommy Star Award of Excellence

Just two days before being nationally recognized by the TMCF, Dr. Hall was honored by the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association at the Annual Tommy Star Awards.

Dr. Hall was presented with the Tommy Star Award of Excellence for his role in creating UVI’s Hospitality and Tourism Program.

 “When he first took over as president of UVI and discovered we did not have a hospitality program, he proactively reached out to the association to see how we could rally and remedy the situation,” said USVI-Hotel and Tourism Association President Lisa Hamilton.  “Dr. Hall was the key driver in ensuring this program was brought to life and now we have about 100 students enrolled.”

President Hall accepts the Tommy Star
Award of Excellence

“One of my proudest achievements as the fifth president of the University of the Virgin Islands is the fact that we have been able to assemble a group of individuals who are dreaming about greatness for this University,” said President Hall. “That is a combination of people who were here when I arrived and others who have come on board, others who have changed their position, but all of us have embraced the notion that UVI can be a great University.”

“The vision of the University of the Virgin Islands is to move away from working on, dreaming about, thinking about greatness – to implementing greatness,” he said. “This award is not just an award for me. It’s an award for dreamers and the fact that people can work together and bring something into reality.”

Dr. Hall said that he is standing in for the many individuals who have worked to bring the program about.

“This award is special to me because you can get an award for some singular act that you have done, but this award is one that is solely about the collective of individuals who wanted to change the reality of what existed at the University and in the Territory,” he said.  “To be the symbol of that makes it very special.”

The HTA also presented UVI Professor Tamara Lang with an award for her work as director of the University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Program. Students enrolled in UVI’s Hospitality Degree Program can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. “In our program we teach our students about all of the industries that are in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry—from the cruise lines, resorts to travel and tourism,” said Lang. “Tourism and Hotel Management is the number one growing industry in the world and we are expanding. In the Caribbean, of course, it is our life bread.”

Additionally, Cathriellah Shabazz, a UVI Hotel and Tourism senior, was nominated for the Tommy Award’s Associate of the Year. Shabazz, who attends classes on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, believes and strives to deliver exceptional service.

President Hall (left) and Professor Tamara Lang (right)
pose with Hospitality students at the Tommy Star Awards.

Each student must complete approximately 200 to 300 hours in internships within the industry. Students on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are participating in internships through the program. Students participate in tours, site visits, lectures, hospitality community projects, special events, laboratory experiences and more. The hospitality program received national recognition, ranking number 26, in a list of “50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for Hospitality Administration and Management.” 

Cutting Edge Research on Display at Fall Symposium

UVI Fall 2015 Student Research Symposium winners Semonie Rogers, Danelly Samuel, and Villisha Gregoire pose with their mentor Dr. Alice Stanford.

Ever wonder why antibiotics seldom work to treat colds and infections? Or, why patients in hospitals often develop bacterial infections?

UVI sophomore Nirisha Commodore set out to find answers to these puzzling medical questions last summer during an internship at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. Commodore spent nine weeks at Yale being mentored by faculty in the Department of Internal Medicine.

She is one of 40 students who shared their summer research projects at the 17th Annual Fall Student Research Symposium, held at the Administration and Conference Center (ACC) on the St. Thomas Campus. The event, organized each year by the Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) Program in the College of Science and Mathematics, highlights the research accomplishments of UVI students who have worked at UVI laboratories and at universities abroad.

“I researched antibiotic resistance in a bacteria called Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. It is a common bacteria found in hospitals,” Commodore said. “My research showed the bacteria has an outer membrane that is impenetrable to many of the antibiotics on the market today.”

Dozens of UVI students like Commodore spent their summers researching some of the most complex issues in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (STEM). Their studies have taken them into competitive STEM research areas including coral reef protection, algae growth, cybersecurity, anti-biotic research and more.

During the recent Fall Research Symposium, the ACC conference room was packed with oversized posters detailing countless hours of research and data analysis. Group and individual presentations were summarized into an abstract booklet that was distributed to the community.

Eliakin del Rosario and Gabriel Ramos, Jr., both junior year computer science majors, are among the first UVI students to conduct research under a new cybersecurity grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. They spent the summer at Norfolk State University in Virginia, mentored by computer science professors.

Rosario and Ramos spoke excitedly about their work to protect computer users from hackers.

“Right now there is so much hacking going on. There is no guarantee that your technology is 100 percent secure,” Rosario said. “We created a framework to help networks guard against malicious behavior.”

The experience was a mix of academics and hands-on research, Ramos said.

“We had to be at the lab from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. It was like a class, but also like being on a job. There was a teaching portion and application.” The duo plan to expand on their cybersecurity research to develop a computer operating system language that prevents hacking.

Other presenters conducted their summer research projects much closer to home.

Genique Nicholas, a sophomore biology major on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, used the greenhouse on campus to research “Antioxidant Activity in Fresh Herbs.”

“We hypothesized which herbs had the highest antioxidant characteristics among basil, mint, chives, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme,” Nicholas explained. “We put the herbs in vials and a plastic buffer to draw out the liquid and measure antioxidant activity.”

The results surprised Nicholas. “We found that mint had the most antioxidant properties. It was surprising because so many people use parsley in their food, I thought it would have high anti-oxidant activity. But the experiment proved me wrong.” Her conclusion: drinking mint tea is very helpful to you.

On St. Thomas, Francheska Brenes-Rivera and Joshua Hazell explored areas of Brewers Bay beach where algae is dominant and protected. Their hypothesis: is there a threat to algae in Brewers Bay?

Hazell, a biology major, said the research showed that “it seems sea urchins and crabs did not like lyngbya, a common algae growing around the MacLean Marine Science Center. So there was no threat to algae in that area.”

Villisha Gregoire, Semonie Rogers, and Danelly Samuel earned the top score at the Fall Symposium for their presentation on “Differential Success of Primers on Tissue Samples Extracted from Populations of Molossus molossus on St. Thomas.” The three spent their summer doing research on the St. Thomas Campus with UVI Professor Dr. Alice Stanford.

Gordon said during her time in the lab she was able to strengthen her laboratory skills, while gaining experience. She also wanted to clarify whether she wanted to enroll in a Ph.D. or MD program.

After spending the summer learning different methods of genetic analysis and the importance of getting the final findings, Rogers decided to become a medical doctor, specializing in internal medicine.

“This is one of my favorite events,” said Dr. Camille McKayle, UVI provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, who marveled at the research projects after viewing them. “It shows the potential of our students and our faculty mentorships. It makes me very inspired.”

UVI has more than 15 research centers and institutes studying diverse topics. Faculty members guide students in cutting edge research that has earned students accolades at UVI and nationally.

“These experiences doing authentic research help students experience the work of professional scientists,” said Dr. Sandra Romano, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. “It also puts them at a great advantage in getting admitted to competitive graduate programs in a wide variety of STEM and biomedical research.” She continued, “By going to other institutions, students are able to learn more about graduate school opportunities and explore different programs where they might subsequently apply.”

Students returning to UVI after off-campus experiences also mentor beginning students, providing them with inspiration to continue in their pursuit of a career in science. Students interested in these kinds of experiences can participate in ECS activities as soon as they start at UVI. ECS also provides a variety of levels of financial support to students through an online application process with an annual Feb. 28, deadline.

Dr. Marc Boumedine, professor of computer science, said that student research poster and oral presentations were evaluated based on criteria set by the American Society for Microbiology/ABRCMS. Participation in the research symposium gives students a leg up on others when applying for graduate programs and fellowships, he said. Students at the symposium presented their findings to peers, faculty, family and the greater Virgin Islands community.

“It’s not enough to get a 4.0 GPA. You need experience, research, and publication outside of class work,” Boumedine said. “This event shows what researchers are doing elsewhere can be done at UVI.”

Commodore, who won second place for her research on antibiotic resistance bacteria, agrees. “When I first got to Yale University for the summer I felt like a fish out of water. Toward the end of my time there I learned I was definitely prepared from my biology classes at UVI.”


The winning projects from the Fall Research Symposium are:

1st Place Winners (Top Score)

Group Poster Presentation #41

Student Presenters Names: Villisha Gregoire, Semonie Rogers, and Danelly Samuel

Presentation Title: Differential Success of Primers on Tissue Samples Extracted from Populations of Molossus molossus on St. Thomas

Research Location/Institutions: University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas Campus

Mentor: Dr. Alice Stanford

Research Funding: UVI NSF HBCU-UP grant #137472 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)



2nd Place Winner

Individual Poster Presentation #32

Student Presenters Name: Nirisha Commodore

Presentation Title: Identifying Intrinsic Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Research Location/Institutions: Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut

Mentor: Dr. Barbara Kazmierczak

Research Funding: Yale BioMed Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship



3rd Place Winner

Individual Poster Presentation #38

Student Presenter Name: Shanan Emmanuel

Presentation Title: Development of a Protocol for Enrichment of Hemogregarine-Infected Fish Erythrocytes and Transmissible Cysts

Research Location/Institutions: 1Brown University, 2University of the Virgin Islands

Mentors: Dr. Andrew G. Campbell1 and Dr. Jennilee B. Robinson2

Research Funding: UVI NIH MARC grant #5T34GM008422




Students interested in summer research at UVI should browse the ECS website or contact Aimee Sanchez for more information.

UVI: Breaking Down Barriers

(Fom left to right) Janelle Saruaw, Michele Weichman, and Dr. Patricia Rhymer pose
for a group photo after a panel discussion on the diversity in sexual orientation.

UVI’s Counseling and Career Services Department, the UVI Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, and the Psychology and Brothers with a Cause student organizations hosted a panel discussion about breaking down barriers on the topic of diversity in sexual orientation. There were four panelists, including Pastor Beltane Harrigan, founder of the Way of the Cross Baptist Church, Dr. Patricia Rhymer, a professor of psychology, and two persons living the diverse lifestyle, Janelle Sarauw and Michele Weichman.


The first round of questions were primarily focused on how the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) debate is affecting the community. The questions that followed asked about specific details from the panelists’ lives. Both Sarauw and Weichman divulged details on “coming out” to their friends and loved ones for the first time. They talked about moments in their lives when they understood they were different from most of the people around them. Another question inquired about the existence of gender roles in same-sex relationships.


The final round of questions came from members of the audience, most of whom directed their questions to Pastor Harrigan. Throughout the discussion, Harrigan was continuously asked about his interpretation of the Bible’s role and viewpoint in regards to the LGBT community and sexual diversity.


The audience was left with a better understanding of the struggles that the LGBT community faces and in turn, members of the LGBT community were given the opportunity to share their stories in an open environment.

Students Play a UVI Version of Jeopardy

UVI students play a game of Jeopardy to test their knowledge of UVI's academic procedures, registration and advisement.

“Where do you go to receive your on-campus parking permit?”

“Which degree program offers an opportunity to partner with Columbia University and the University of Florida?"

In celebration of UVI Pride Week, the Center for Student Success hosted Jeopardy games at various locations around campus, including the library courtyard, the UVI Bookstore, and the Classroom Administration Building (CAB).

The final Jeopardy round was played with the winning teams from Monday’s and Wednesday’s games. The event, held outside the CAB, was attended by several students who seemed eager to play, learn, and of course, win prizes that included several $30 gift certificates from the UVI Bookstore. The top prize was a $50 gift certificate, also compliments from the Bookstore.

The competition was not just for fun as it proved to be very informative. The questions asked were about academic procedures, registration, advisement, and other tidbits of useful information. Students seemed actively engaged while the information was being presented to them. They were laughing, singing, and willingly working together towards a common goal…a new hoodie from the Bookstore.