Bio

Dr. Marquita Gittens-St.Hilaire is a lecturer in microbiology at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill and former Director of the now defunct Leptospira Laboratory. Specializes in molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases, particularly arboviruses, leptospirosis and has an avid interest in the investigation/epidemiology of multidrug resistant pathogens genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Member of CaribVet Net Technical Working Group, American Society of Microbiology, Caribbean Association of Clinical Microbiologists and Chair of the CariVectNet Technical Working Group.

Qualifications

PhD in Medical Microbiology

Research Areas

Specializes in molecular diagnostics of infectious diseases, particularly arboviruses, leptospirosis and has an avid interest in the investigation/epidemiology of multidrug resistant pathogens genotypic and phenotypic characteristics.

1. Title: COVID-19 infections in Barbados and the Caribbean: Genetic and serological characterization studies
Role: Principal Investigator
Date: Submitted for IRB Approval (30 April 2020)
2. Title: Knowledge, self-reported practices and attitudes of infection control among healthcare workers at a tertiary healthcare facility in Barbados
Role: Principal Investigator
Date: In-progress
3. A survey on antibiotic therapy knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst healthcare workers in primary and tertiary care healthcare facilities
Role: Principal Investigator
Status: In-progress

Teaching Areas

• MDSC 1000 – Fundamentals of Disease & Treatment
• MDSC 1205 - The Respiratory System
• MDSC 1206 – Neuroscience II
• MDSC2105 – Health and the Environment
• MDSC2205 – The Reproductive System
• MDSC 2103 - The Cardiovascular System
• MDSC2201 - The Endocrine System & The Skin
• MDSC2104 - The Digestive System
• MDSC 3102 – Renal/Urinary & Reproduction
• Year 3 - Laboratory Skills workshop
• Year 4: Pathology and Microbiology Clerkship

Publications

1.  Majumder MAA, Singh K, Hilaire MG, Rahman S, Sa B, Haque M. Antimicrobial resistance and global public health crisis: are we educating enough our future prescribers to combat this global threat? [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 20]. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2020;10.1080/14787210.2020.1796638. doi:10.1080/14787210.2020.1796638

2.  Douglas KO, Dutta SK, Martina B, Anfasa F, Samuels TA, Gittens-St. Hilaire M. Dengue Fever and Severe Dengue in Barbados, 2008–2016. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2020, 5, 68; doi:10.3390/tropicalmed5020068

3.  Gittens-St Hilaire MV, Chase E, Alleyne D. Prevalence, molecular characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of MRSA in hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients in Barbados. New Microbes and New Infections. May 2020; 35: 100659 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100659

4.  Lippi CA, Stewart-Ibarra AM, Romero M, Hinds A, Lowe R, Mahon R, Meerbeeck CJ, Rollock R, Gittens-St.Hilaire M, Trotman AR, Holligan D, Kirton S, Borbor-Cordova MJ, Ryan SJ. Spatiotemporal Tools for Emerging and Endemic Disease Hotspots in Small Areas: An Analysis of Dengue and Chikungunya in Barbados, 2013–2016. Am Soc Trop Med and Hyg. 27 April 2020. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.19-0919

5.  Stewart-Ibarra AM, Romero M, Hinds AQJ, Lowe R, Mahon R, Van Meerbeeck CJ, Rollock L, Gittens-St Hilaire M, St Ville S, Ryan SJ, Trotman AR, Borbor-Cordova MJ. Co-developing climate services for public health: Stakeholder needs and perceptions for the prevention and control of Aedes-transmitted diseases in the Caribbean. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019 Oct 28;13(10):e0007772. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007772. eCollection 2019 Oct

Keywords

Microbiology, infectious diseases, molecular diagnostics