UWI Selects Students for Prestigious Surgical Robotics Research Programme in the UK

THE UNIVERSITY OF the West Indies (The UWI) said three outstanding students have been selected for the inaugural CariSurg Surgical Robotics Summer Research Programme at the University of Leeds in England. Samiya Allen from the Cave Hill Campus; Abishua Johnson from the Mona Campus; and Justin Sooknanan from the St. Augustine Campus distinguished themselves among 130 applicants across the UWI system, the university said in a release.

The fully funded eight-week programme will run from June 28 to August 16, 2025, at the STORM Lab in the UK.The experience will provide invaluable research opportunities and enable the students to contribute to establishing a world-class research institute for surgical robotics and AI in the Caribbean. They will benefit from professional development workshops aimed at supporting their postgraduate applications, receive tailored career mentorship, and engage in cultural exchange activities while networking with leading researchers from around the world.

Founded by Saint Lucian researcher Nikita Greenidge, the CariSurg programme aims to empower students through handson involvement in pioneering research that integrates surgical robotics and AI with advancements in healthcare.

“This programme is about preparing our brightest minds to shape the future of healthcare,” Greenidge stated. “We must be part of the solution if we are ever to lead it. By creating access to these opportunities, we’re building a foundation for innovation that is rooted in our region’s context and clinical needs, while bolstered by meaningful global collaboration.”

The CariSurg initiative has been made possible through the generous support of Emergent Ventures, a prestigious global fellowship that invests in high-impact ideas. It is also supported by the Caribbean College of Surgeons and the Caribbean Society of Endoscopic Surgeons, who will provide clinical mentorship to ensure that students’ research is deeply integrated with regional healthcare realities.

“This is a powerful example of what can be achieved when our universities collaborate with a shared vision,” said Dr Carl Beckford, one of the programme’s advocates.

“We are not only creating unique opportunities for these students but also building a foundation for a research ecosystem that can benefit the Caribbean for generations to come.”

Here at home in the region, students interested in robotics and AI technologies have an exciting opportunity at the Caribbean’s leading AI conference in Antigua and Barbuda, taking place from June 23-24.The UWI Five Islands Campus will host its second edition of UWIFIC 5IR, themed “Bridging Digital Frontiers: AI Innovation for Caribbean Sustainability.”

On the second day of the conference, the Robotics Track will feature a Student Robotics/ AI and Data Science Competition. This competition will showcase various contests and demonstrations, focusing on innovation in disaster response and sustainable resource management.The goal is to highlight the creativity and technical skills of the region’s brightest students and innovators, inspiring the next generation of Caribbean problem solvers, the university release added.

The conference also offers students valuable opportunities for research and career inspiration by showcasing AI applications in areas like healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities. This exposure can spark new ideas for career paths or research projects by demonstrating how AI can address real-world challenges.