Dr Sonia Peter
Dr Sonia Peter is the Executive Director of the Biocultural Education and Research Programme. Dr Peter is a Natural Product Chemist, by qualification, and a practicing Ethnobotanist. She founded the nonprofit in 2017 to focus on the conservation of local plant biodiversity and to reconnect communities with the associated heritage value.
Dr Jamila Jones
Dr Jones studied for her Ph.D. at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. Her research involved a study of the microflora associated with the bagasse waste product from the production of sugar and the identification of bacteria that degrade the sugar into smaller useful products such as biofuels. Dr Jones is the Senior Programme and Administrative Assistant of BERP.
Ms Lian Gittens
Ms Gittens has a BSc. in Herbal Medicine, University of Westminister, UK. She is committed to using her expertise for the enhancement of awareness of the efficacy of alternative plant based medicines and the value of the local medicinal plants. She is a Programme and Administrative Assistant with BERP.
Ms Christa Padmore
Ms Padmore has a Bsc. in Ecology from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and an Associate Degree in Information Technology obtained at the Barbados Community College. This knowledge base is brought to the team with a focus on website development and social media management. She is also committed to demonstrating the value of local plant biodiversity in ecological management and also product development. We welcome Christa to the team as a Programme Assistant.
Ms Nicole Sealy
Ms Sealy joins the team as a Programme Assistant. She graduated from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, with a BSc. in Chemistry. She brings her background into the team to assist with a phytochemical review of sixty plants used during the period of slavery on the island of Barbados for validation of their applications. These plants were used mainly for wounds, skin eruptions and digestive disorders.
Mr Simeon Clarke
Mr Clarke is currently studying Agriculture Science at the University of the West Indies - St. Augustine Campus. He has an Associate Degree in Agricultural Science from the Barbados Community College. In the past he has done work with tissue culture and grafting. He now takes the role of Research Assistant focusing on the agricultural research of the underutilized plants and various resistant varieties.
Dr Joanne Simmons-Boyce
Dr Joanne Simmons-Boyce is a Natural Products Chemist with extensive experience in the isolation, purification, and structural elucidation of natural products from plant and marine sources. Through her research, she has investigated the effects of bioactives on mammalian systems and garnered a greater appreciation for the health benefits of our numerous 'bushes and weeds'. She is delighted to serve on the BERP Administrative Team!
Dr Kimberley King
Dr Kimberley King MBBS is a holistic medicine practitioner who utilises Lifestyle medicine to help her clients. Lifestyle medicine utilises behavioural change modalities to help clients move away from unhealthy habits and create lifestyles which promote better health and wellbeing. Dr King is currently spearheading a push to utilise Nature connection to promote health and routinely uses herbal remedies to treat her clients.
Dr King will be adding her knowledge and expertise to assist BERP research and develop traditional medicine products which can be used to combat modern health problems like NCD’s. Dr King is also eager to help impart genuine respect for the land and plant knowledge to the future generations, in an effort to ensure that both the health of the land and the people move in a more positive direction.
Mr Samuel Boston
Mr Boston is currently an undergraduate student pursuing his degree in International Relations. He is a youth advocate and has represented Barbados across Europe in countries such as Czech Republic and Germany as a young global leader. He has also represented the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus at the Harvard National Model United Nations General Assembly, February, 2021. He is passionate about youth development and serves his community as a member of the board of directors of the Ashley Lashley Foundation and as a part of this organisation, has taken leadership roles in initiatives including Schools Against Non-Communicable Diseases. His expertise on youth advocacy is welcomed as a joins BERP as a Volunteer.
Mr Peter Peter
Mr Peter is the former Head of the Division of Technology at the Barbados Community College and assumes the role of Master of Ceremonies at all formal events. He brings his years in scientific education to the role in his oratory contributions assessing the value points and narrative behind BERP.
Mr Douglas Gay
Mr Douglas Gay is a certified Samsung engineer and computer technician. He joins BERP as our Technical Assistant.