NOTED Jamaican scientist Dr Henry Lowe has been honoured by the United States Government for his contributions to the sciences, science education and exemplary public service.

Dr Lowe, a member of the prestigious American Association of Cancer Research and a life member of the New York Academy of Sciences, was presented with a proclamation from the United States House of Representatives signed by Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke, and a citation from the New York State Senate signed by New York’s 20th District State Senator Eric Adams at the Barclays Centre in New York City late last month.

The proclamation described Lowe as a leader in the field of medical research who has been researching plants indigenous to Jamaica for their bioactive properties, as well as their potential for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. The House also hailed him for sharing his work with other scientists and the public through published articles, reports and books.

The New York State Senate, in its citation, said that “when individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those individuals for the edification and emulation of others”.

Responding to the awards, Dr Lowe said that Jamaica must be known for more than reggae, sports, sun, sea, and sand.

“It is important that we encourage and educate our citizenry to contribute significantly in the field of science, and as such begin to place Jamaica on the map for scientific research and development, which is oftentimes held in reserve for the First World,” he said.

“We must forge ahead into new frontiers that will fast-track Jamaica’s economic and social growth and development. We are a gifted people, and with vision, grit and hard work it can be done,” Lowe added.

Lowe, who gained worldwide recognition after his research found that the Jamaican Ball Moss contains cancer-fighting properties, has already developed nutraceuticals from the Ball Moss and other Jamaican plants.

The scientist, who was voted the Observer Business Leader in 2006, and his research partner Dr Joseph Bryant say that the anti-cancer compounds that they have extracted from the Jamaican Ball Moss have been demonstrated to kill prostate cancer and other cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Last October, Dr Lowe, the founder and executive chairman of the Environmental Health Foundation Group of Companies as well as Biotech R&D Institute, was invested with Jamaica’s fourth highest award — the Order of Jamaica.

He is an adjunct professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA, and distinguished adjunct professor of Ethno-medicinal Chemistry, University of Technology, Jamaica.

Dr Lowe is also a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science; and Fellow at the Royal Society of Medicine United Kingdom; Harvard Medical School Postgraduate Association; American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists; and the American Chemical Society.

He is the author of multiple scientific journal articles and books, including his most recent an autobiography It Can be Done.