Dr Stacy Stephenson-Clarke: Young scientist

SHE is a people person who is committed to family and the development of science locally.

Born and raised in St Catherine, Dr Stacy Stephenson-Clarke told All Woman that she initially wanted to be a medical doctor and was drawn to nature, how things in the environment worked, and enjoyed the features and documentaries shown on National Geographic.

As a result, it’s no surprise that she focused on the sciences while at St Jago High, then pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology at the University of the West Indies (UWI). She next earned a Master of Philosophy degree in molecular biology, and then upgraded to a PhD in molecular biology which she received with high commendation, receiving an award for having one of the most outstanding theses for the year 2015/2016.

Her dissertation examined quinolone resistance and gene regulation in uropathogenic escherichia coli.

The young scientist explained that her research dealt with the escherichia coli (E coli) bacteria, which are the primary cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among females, resulting in high morbidity and high economic costs.

She further pointed out that because many of these bacteria have become resistant to standard antibiotic therapy, the need arises for alternative treatment strategies. The development and application of non-antibiotic therapeutics through molecular research provides hope for alleviating the burden of UTIs and optimising patient outcome.

Dr Stephenson-Clarke has immersed herself so much in science that in March she was appointed as the American Society of Microbiologists’ (ASM) Young Ambassador to Jamaica.

This appointment means that she joins a growing network of 62 Young Ambassadors of Science around the world who are passionate about advancing the microbial sciences in their communities and globally.

Essentially, she will represent ASM locally, facilitating networking, professional development, and collaboration to strengthen science globally.

Part of Dr Stephenson-Clarke’s mandate is to mobilise the next generation of scientists to develop innovative approaches to meet the major challenges in science, and she considers herself up to the task.

She serves as a microbiology mentor to undergraduate students who are active members of the ASM/UWI chapter which is geared towards the introduction and development of microbiology in the region.

Her other awards include being a Scientific Research Council (SRC) Young Scientist of the Year Nominee for 2017, and copping the American Society of Microbiology best poster prize award. In 2011 she was chosen bright young scientist to represent UWI, Mona at the 10th TWAS-ROLAC (Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World) Young Scientist Conference in Tobago.

Since 2011 she has also done stints as a teaching assistant, lecturer, course coordinator and special instructor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at UWI.

Additionally, Dr Stephenson-Clarke has performed outstanding public and scientific service as follows: organiser and mediator for the ASM Scientific Writing and Publishing Workshop for graduate and young scientific researchers; host and organiser for JobWatch: Training the Next Generation of PhDs Insight & Intelligence; and volunteer for CAPE Biology and Generating Geniuses Biotechnology workshops hosted by Head of Biotechnology and Associate Dean for the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Dr Marcia E Roye.

She also served as post-graduate orientation and webinar assistant planner and chaperone; thematic chaperone for the Medical Sciences in the UWI Research Days 2014; volunteer participant in the CSI Jamaica Generating Geniuses Forensics workshop hosted by Professor Wayne McLaughlin, head of basic medical sciences, and Dr Compton Beecher, director of Caribbean Genetics.

She is no less enthusiastic in the area of outreach activities, serving as a judge for both the SRC National Science and Technology Fair in 2017 and for the American International School of Kingston Science Fair in 2016 and 2017. She was also technical assistant for the Inaugural Excellence in STEM Experimental Education workshop hosted by the Jamaica Teachers’ Association and Loma Linda University in 2016.

A devout Christian, Dr Stephenson-Clarke believes that in order to move forward we have to work together as a people.

She said: “My favourite quote is by Aristotle that says: ‘Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skilful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny’. My message to young people is to have a goal and plan, stick to it, persevere and bring it to reality through humility with God.”