Bethia Thomas

Organisation: University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados

Position: Research Assistant, PhD Student

Background

Bethia Thomas is currently a postgraduate student at CERMES pursuing a PhD in Natural Resource Management. Her research seeks to venture into the novel territory of pelagic sargassum with special emphasis on a community-based participatory approach to vulnerability analysis and adaptation planning for pelagic sargassum influxes in the Eastern Caribbean, using the island of Saint Lucia as a case study.

In 2007, Bethia graduated summa cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the Andrews University, United States. She later matriculated to the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad, where she graduated in 2011 with a Master of Science Degree, with distinction, in Science and Management of Tropical Biodiversity.

Bethia also currently serves as the Science and Technology Officer, within the Department of Sustainable Development, Saint Lucia. There she has contributed to the ongoing work on Science and Technology, Biodiversity, Biosafety, Environmental Conservation, Ocean Governance, Sustainable Development Goals, Renewable Energy, and Innovation.

She also serves as a part-time lecturer for the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), satellite campus, Saint Lucia and Assistant Examiner for the Caribbean Examination Council.