Dr. Charah T. Watson

Executive Director

Scientific Research Council

Biography
Linkedin
Contact her

charahw@src-jamaica.org

Website

Partnership opportunities

The ACE program presents an opportunity for value partnerships that can support or further the progress of the SRC ‘s agenda to use Science and technology to drive Jamaica’s development.

The Scientific Research Council is the only institution with a mandate by law to “collect, collate and review information concerning scientific research schemes or programmes relevant to the development of the resources of Jamaica (and) to establish and maintain a scientific information center for collection and dissemination of scientific and technical information.

Our projects include R&D in biotechnology, natural products, wastewater treatment, and product development. The Councils also support MSME’s by providing services to improve their competitiveness, product quality and access to markets. 

We are interested in partnerships with academic and research institutions, and similar government institution. Areas for collaboration include but not limited to are food technology and production, biotechnology (crop improvement, plant diagnosis, molecular analysis, tissue culture etc), plant research (validation and elucidation of compounds as well as therapeutic potentials), Waste water technology and treatment systems.

Considering the low levels of public funding available to effectively support the research and development agenda of the country (through the SRC) it becomes critical for us to forge partnerships. We believe the experience sharing and linkages that can be created through the ACE program with relevant research and development and production entities in Louisiana can benefit us at the SRC (and Jamaica) tremendously as we strive to use science, research, development and innovations as critical pillars for the countries development.

Offer:
– The SRC is well positioned both in Jamaica and the Caribbean region. Benefits to be gains by our partners in Louisiana include;

– Collaboration of research projects of joint interest

– Technical assistance in areas such as food product development, production incubation (through our food pilot plant)

– Plant breeding and crop improvement

– Wastewater technology- the SRC has patent technology for wastewater treatment

– Connections to science and research network in Jamaica and the Caribbean region. 

Main areas of work:

  • Scientific research and development
  • Product Development
  • Appropriate technologies
  • Waste treatment and management
  • Science communication

Nicole Griensewic

Executive Director

Region Nine Development Commission in Minnesota

Biografy:

Griensewic has served as Executive Director of Region Nine Development Commission since 2012. As executive director, Griensewic has made it a priority to foster collaboration and engagement by sharing Region Nine’s story both regionally and globally. Griensewic is an active board and committee member for multiple organizations throughout Minnesota. Griensewic is the immediate past President of the Greater Minnesota Partnership, and is the first female to chair the Executive Committee for the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies, where she served as chair of the Governance Committee. Griensewic also served as secretary of Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota’s Governing Board of Directors and chaired the Governance Committee and currently serves as an advisory board member for South Central College’s Center for Agriculture. She serves on the executive committee for the MACS Board, Minnesotans for the American Community Survey Board of Directors and represents the Midwest on the National Assoc. of Development Orgs.’s (NADO) Board of Directors.

Griensewic is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has completed course work through Harvard’s Kennedy School’s Executive Education. She received the 2017 Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Her professional background includes extensive private sector and non-profit leadership experience.