BCRC-Caribbean Staff
The BCRC-Caribbean team is made up of a dynamic group of environmental, science and research practitioners, project management specialists and core administrative staff. The team members combine their global, regional and national experiences to ensure the successful execution of projects throughout the region and the provision of feasible recommendations for environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste in the member countries.
Our team members include the following:

Jewel Batchasingh
Director
Ms. Jewel Batchasingh is a career environmental management practitioner and has over twenty (20) years of diverse experience in environmental management at national, regional and international levels under the thematic areas of biodiversity, climate change and waste and chemicals management. Her qualifications include a BSc. in Environmental Biology, University of the West Indies, Jamaica and a Masters in Environmental Management, University of the West Indies St. Augustine. Her current role as Director of the BCRC Caribbean has heightened her project management and business administration abilities and increased her passion for law. Jewel always enjoys sharing an anecdote or adage.

Karen P. Persad
Executive Administrative Assistant
Ms. Persad has been appointed to the BCRC-Caribbean since June 2011. Ms. Persad had 20 years of experience in the medical arena as both a medical administrator and an office manager at a laboratory and medical clinic in Trinidad and Tobago and Ontario, Canada respectively. She has training in the areas of medical administration and computer programming as well as experience in the development of quality management systems for ISO 9002 accreditation for laboratories.

Kerwyn Fletcher
Logistics Coordinator
Mr. Fletcher began working at the BCRC-Caribbean as the Logistics Coordinator in December 2014. Mr. Fletcher is dedicated to fulfilling his roles and responsibilities within the organization in order to ensure efficient operations.

Shawn Garcia
Senior Technical Officer
Mr. Garcia is an agile and innovative environmental professional whose unique career combines 20+ years’ experience defining, implementing carbon, energy and environmental programs and business critical strategies within the regulatory and energy industry. His qualifications include a Master’s of Science in Engineering in Process Safety and Loss Prevention from the University of Sheffield, UK and a BSc. in Environmental Management. He is passionate about problem solving and maximizing the benefits of collaborative teamwork.

Maurissa Charles
Project Coordinator
Ms. Charles joined the Project Management Unit of the BCRC-Caribbean in April 2016. She has over 5 years’ experience in research and laboratory settings and is a published researcher. Ms. Charles has an MSc.E in Civil, Sustainable and Environmental Engineering from Arizona State University, as well as a MSc. in Biotechnology from Claflin University, USA.

Anand R. Maraj
Project Coordinator
Anand R. Maraj is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of experience in data management, monitoring and evaluation, statistical analysis, and sustainable development project management.
Anand joined the BCRC-Caribbean in January 2025, bringing a wealth of experience formerly as Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator at the Ministry of Tourism, and as a Development Coordination Officer with the United Nations. His professional journey reflects a deep commitment to fostering collaboration, advancing sustainable practices, and delivering impactful solutions.

Shalina Rooplal
Research Analyst
Ms. Rooplal joined the BCRC-Caribbean in September of 2021. She has attained a Masters of Business Administration with specialization in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and a BSc. Chemistry and Management. Shalina is passionate about promoting sustainability and the circular economy in the Caribbean.

Amara Prevatt
Project Execution Officer II
Ms. Prevatt joined the BCRC-Caribbean in October 2020. After completing an undergraduate degree at Duke University in the US, Ms. Prevatt’s interest in protecting the environment continued to grow. In September 2019, she completed an MSc in Environmental Technology with a focus on Pollution Management at Imperial College London, UK. Ms. Prevatt is passionate about waste management, the circular economy and seeing recycling becoming more widespread in the Caribbean.

Troy Glod
Project Execution Officer II
Mr. Glod joined the BCRC-Caribbean in June 2023. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, with a BSc in Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology. Mr. Glod is passionate about environmental sustainability and is resolute in his commitment to contributing a more sustainable future.

Dana Lewis
Project Execution Officer II
Ms. Lewis joined the BCRC-Caribbean in February 2022. After graduating from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine in 2019 with a BSc. in Geography and Environmental Natural Resource Management, she began pursuing an MPhil in Geography the following year. Ms. Lewis has GIS and Remote Sensing competencies and hopes to contribute to the understanding and improvement of human-environment interaction across the Caribbean region, as it relates to waste and chemicals management.

Danielle Akeung
Project Execution Officer I
Ms. Akeung joined the BCRC-Caribbean in February 2022. She studied at Florida Gulf Coast University and attained a BA in Environmental Studies in 2018, graduating with honours. She is passionate about wildlife and environmental conservation, as well as spreading awareness about sustainability through education.

Tasha Dipnarine
Project Execution Officer I
Ms. Dipnarine joined the BCRC-Caribbean in January 2025. After completing her BSc. In Environmental and Natural Resource Management at the University of the West Indies, she went on to attain her MSc. In Environmental Science and Technology at Lancaster University, UK. Ms. Dipnarine’s love for the Caribbean fuels her passion for the sustainable management of the environment, inclusive of practical waste management strategies.

Hadassah Bournes
Research Officer
Ms. Bournes has rejoined the BCRC-Caribbean in February 2022 after completing the Associated Professional Programme of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in August 2020. She has attained a BSc in Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology (special) from the University of the West Indies and is very passionate about the promotion of sustainable environmental practices and waste management.

Joshua Prentice
Research Officer
Mr. Prentice joined the BCRC in December 2024. He obtained a BSc in Biology with specialization in Marine Biology, Ecology and Environmental Science. He further obtained a MSc in Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management focusing on plastic waste outflow from wetlands in the Gulf-of-Paria. His passion is found in addressing transboundary and emerging environmental issues using his geospatial and environmental management background.

Omar Hosein
Research Officer
Mr. Hosein joined BCRC-Caribbean in August 2024. Having attained a BSc. in Geography & Environmental Natural Resource Management in 2018, in 2023 he began pursuing an MSc. in Renewable Energy Technology at the University of the West Indies. Mr. Hosein has been an advocate for increasing awareness of environmental sustainability within the Caribbean and across the globe through education.

Naphtali John
Research Officer
Ms. John joined the BCRC-Caribbean in November 2024. In 2021 she graduated from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus with a BSc. in Geography. Ms. John then obtained an MSc. in Natural Resource and Environmental Management from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. Naphtali’s career goal is to contribute to effective solutions for complex environmental issues in the Caribbean such as pollution.

Sachin Ramlakhan
Junior Research Officer
Mr. Ramlakhan joined the BCRC-Caribbean in May 2024. He obtained a BSc in Environmental Science and Biology from the University of the West Indies. With a strong passion for environmental ecology, he seeks to use his knowledge to promote environmentally friendly practices in the Caribbean.