UTech, Jamaica 2015-16 Annual Report

Research Projects  Microbial Diversity in Water Bodies Associated with the Riverton Landfill (Dr Aneisha Collins-Fairclough – Principal Investigator) This project seeks to identify the microbial diversity present at the Riverton landfill, located in the parish of St. Andrew, Jamaica. Funding for the project has been obtained from the Research Development Fund (RDF) at UTech. This project is being housed and supported by the Natural Products Research Laboratory (NPRL). Equipment, extraction kits and other consumables have been purchased and received. Developed protocols have been tested by the research team. Sampling at the Riverton Landfill was completed at the landfill and DNA was extracted. The isolated DNA was sent overseas for sequencing and some data has already been generated. Data analysis is currently in progress.  Investigation of Dolphin-Fisher Interactions in Jamaica and the Impact of Dolphins on Fishing in Jamaica (Miss Christine O’Sullivan – Principal Investigator) The project seeks to identify whether or not dolphins have been turning over fish traps in Jamaica, impacting fishers’ catches as well as start a photo-identification catalogue for dolphins in Jamaica. Funding was obtained from the Research Development Fund at UTech, the Society for Marine Mammalogy and the United States Marine Mammal Commission. Equipment was purchased for the project and a research protocol and data sheet developed. Fishers at the three different study sites were engaged to discuss the project and determine the areas where the cameras will be deployed. Data collection was done and the results have been successful processed and show that dolphin do indeed tamper with fish traps. The implications of the study are still being assessed for further work such as mitigation of fisher/dolphin interaction and redesign of fish traps.  Integrated Optics and Photonics Laboratory (Mr Maurice McGlashan-Powell – Principal Investigator) Mr Maurice McGlashan-Powell (Research Fellow) remains employed to manage the laboratory and conduct research in integrated optics and photonics with equipment valued at approximately US$202,000 that was donated by IBM, USA. There continued to be delays in getting the laboratory fully operational. Nevertheless, Mr McGlashan-Powell has been able to get some work done; produce patents; present his work at various fora; train students; and prepare manuscripts for publication. Miss Christine O’Sullivan (left), Lecturer, Faculty of Science and Sport sharing her presentation with a captive audience at Research, Technology and Innovation Day 2016. Page 72 University of Technology, Jamaica ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016 FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND SPORT cont’d