Jamaican scientist and cancer researcher Dr. Simone Badal has been named this year’s Science & Technology laureate at the prestigious Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence, held on Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.
The recognition cements her place among the Caribbean’s most outstanding minds and marks a major milestone in the region’s push for more inclusive, targeted cancer treatments.
Dr. Badal, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, was honored for her groundbreaking work in developing Caribbean-specific cancer cell lines. Her pioneering research led to the creation of ACRJ-PC28—the first prostate cancer cell line derived from a Caribbean man—addressing the long-standing gap in global cancer research, where models have historically centered on Caucasian populations.
“It’s gratifying to know that the region values and supports my work,” Dr. Badal told the audience. “We need to develop targeted therapies for our Caribbean men and women with cancer, and that is what we are hoping to do. So, there is much more ahead. My advice is to seek your purpose and know exactly why you are here. You can overcome the challenges because there will be challenges in this field.”
Her contributions have already begun shaping global approaches to cancer treatment for people of African descent. With more than 45 peer-reviewed publications and over US$1 million in research funding—including the US$520,000 NIH Fogarty Emerging Global Leader Award—Dr. Simone Badal is widely regarded as a trailblazer. Her work has attracted grants from the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative and Pfizer and fostered research collaboration across UWI campuses.
She is also the author of the 2023 memoir “No Cell Left Behind,” which chronicles her journey in developing cell lines and building the ACRJ Foundation. The foundation has raised over 1.5 million Jamaican dollars to fund anti-cancer education and research initiatives. She was selected for the 2024 Springer Nature and Breast Cancer Research Foundation Rising Scholars Program, received the 2022 Flair Distinguished Award for Science & Technology, and was recognized as a pioneer by Jamaica’s Scientific Research Council among her long list of noteworthy achievements.
This year’s Anthony N. Sabga Awards also recognised Trinidadian jazz musician Etienne Charles (Arts & Letters), Trinidad agri-entrepreneur Rachel Renie-Gonzales (Entrepreneurship), and Guyanese family therapist Ayodele Dalgety-Dean (Public & Civic Contributions). Each laureate received TT$500,000, a citation, and a medal from the ANSA McAL Foundation.
Chairman Andrew N. Sabga reflected on the programme’s impact over the past two decades, noting that 66 Caribbean individuals have now been celebrated for their excellence. “We reaffirm our commitment to supporting Caribbean excellence and nurturing talent that will shape our region for generations,” he said.
Dr. Badal’s recognition stands not only as a personal achievement but also as a moment of pride for UWI Mona and the wider Caribbean scientific community. Her mission remains clear: to ensure no one is left behind in the fight against cancer.
