UVI Students Win Awards at National Virtual ABRCMS Conference 2020 The College of Science and Mathematics is very pleased to announce that three of our UVI undergraduates and one UVI alumnus won awards at the ABRCMS conference last week. The winners are:
- Laurie Armstrong, junior psychology major, did her research on an EPE pilot study done here at UVI with her mentor, Aletha Baumann. The title of her poster is “Pilot Study of Taking the English Proficiency Exam (EPE) During English 201”
- Alanica Canonier, a dual major in biology and psychology, has been modeling the spread of a coral disease under the mentorship of Robert Stolz and Marilyn Brandt here at UVI. Her poster is titled “Mathematically Modeling the Spread of SCTLD in the United States Virgin Islands.”
- Ellaina Wyllis, a biology major, conducted her research at UVI. Her mentor is Lavida Rogers, and her poster is on “Meta-analysis of Gene Expression Variability in Asthma.”
- Kwame Forbes, UVI alumnus (BS Biology, class of 2020), is doing a post-baccalaureate research program at the University of North Carolina. The title of his poster is “Integration of Single-Cell Datasets with Bulk Differential Analysis Results for DESeq2.”
For additional information, contact Aimee Sanchez at the College of Science and Mathematics at 692-4109 or email aimee.sanchez@uvi.edu
UVI Presents Virtual Dance Workshops to Showcase New BFA Dance Program Instructors from the University of the Virgin Islands’ (UVI) Department of Communication and Performing Arts are presenting virtual dance workshops this month to highlight the dance techniques and academic studies offered in the newly launched Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) dance program. The workshops are offered free of charge to the public, and high school students are encouraged to participate.
“We are very fortunate to have two phenomenal instructors who are both highly trained and have extensive teaching and performance experience around the world,” said Vanda Espinosa, a UVI English professor and dancer who was instrumental in advocating for the development of the dance program.
A native of New York City, UVI Assistant Professor Djassi DaCosta Johnson grew up frequently visiting her grandfather on St. Croix. Her position at UVI now brings her back to her childhood playground with a new purpose – to expand accessibility for students who want to enter the field of dance.
“Black dancers and black female dancers in leadership roles are underrepresented in the industry. It is still a very elitist industry, and I would like to help build this department to open awareness and help bring about change,” she said.
More information is available in a news release on the Media Section of the UVI Website at www.uvi.edu/
UVI’s Association of Black Journalists (UVIABJ) Student Chapter Donates Thanksgiving Meals The University of the Virgin Islands Association of Black Journalists student chapter hosted its first community service activity. On Wednesday, Nov. 25, UVIABJ gifted two families selected by the Family Resource Center with a homemade Thanksgiving basket and two turkeys. The event was made possible through monetary donations from Cost-U-Less and contributions from Lana Cuffy, UVIABJ public relations officer. The Thanksgiving basket contained one whole turkey, an apple pie, mash potato mix, macaroni and cheese, cans of green beans, rice, stuffing, gravy mix, cranberry sauce and a case of sparkling apple cider.
“I’m grateful we were able to partner with Cost-U-Less to be able to give two Thanksgiving boxes to two less fortunate families, said Maxiene Cabo, UVIABJ president. “I know this pandemic has been hard on many families so UVIABJ felt the urgency to lessen the stress for families during this holiday season.”
“This is only just the beginning. UVIABJ plans on continuing to make a difference no matter the circumstances. We wish to continue this momentum into the upcoming seasons,” said Jada Roberts, UVIABJ vice president.
“On behalf of the Family Resource Center, I would like to thank UVIABJ for taking the initiative and adopting two families this Thanksgiving,” said J. Edwards of the Family Resource Center. “Both the organization and our clients are grateful, so thank you for your support.”
For more information on UVIABJ contact Sharon Albert-Honore at sharon.honore@uvi.edu
Fruit & Vegetable Growers Invited to Produce Safety Alliance Training The public is invited to participate in a free virtual three-day Produce Safety Alliance Training and Certification event on Dec. 1 – 3. The training will take place via Zoom.
This training is designed for fruit and vegetable growers and others who are interested in learning about produce safety and compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, and the principles of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
Presentation topics will include an introduction to produce safety, worker health and hygiene, soil amendments, wildlife and domesticated animal management, production and postharvest water use, postharvest handling and sanitation, and how to develop a farm food safety plan.
Growers and other interested persons should register for this free training by using this link — https://forms.gle/g5uPYjuXeb9gGJ5q8. Participation in the entire training is required to receive a certificate. The registration deadline is Nov. 27, with limited participant capacity.
More information is available in a news release on the Media Section of the UVI Website at www.uvi.edu/
The Caribbean Writer Announces Prize Winners The Caribbean Writer is pleased to announce the Prize Winners for its Volume 34 edition under the theme: Dignity, Power and Place in the Caribbean Space. Winners in the various categories are as follows:
The Daily News Prize to an author of fiction or an essay from the BVI or the U.S. Virgin Islands goes to Carmelo Rivera for “About My Identity Journey,” one in a series of essays about identity and growing up. Rivera is a graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands and of SUNY at Albany. He was born on the island of Vieques and raised on St. Croix from primary school to college. He is currently a human resources professional residing part-time in Florida.
The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize for best short fiction goes to Eugenia O’Neil for “Harold Varlack’s Return.” She is the author of two novels Jessamine and Jamaica Dreaming as well as works of non-fiction including Black Voices and From the Field to the Legislature. A Tortolan, O’Neil resides in Grenada.
“Occasional Moonlight” by Sara Lynn Burnett and “Gringo Pobre” by Rafael Gamero were also shortlisted for this prize.
More information is available in a news release on the Media Section of the UVI Website at www.uvi.edu/
